By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Washington hoops took on cross-town rival Northside on Friday night and the Pam Pack were not a gracious host as the boys topped the Panthers 78-63, while the girls rolled to a 67-13 victory.
In the boys’ matchup the Pam Pack and Panthers battled evenly for the first eight minutes, as Washington held a slim 15-14 lead heading into the second quarter.
Northside struck early with a balanced scoring effort but could not keep pace with the Pam Pack.
Led by Dakuan Spencer’s game-high 23 points off the bench, coupled with Jarees Griffin’s 17 and Brandon Tripp’s 13 points, Washington busted the game open in the second quarter and never looked back.
After a 17-17 tie early in the second quarter, Washington ripped off a 13-2 run spurred by solid defense and a few big shots by Spencer.
The Pack took a 44-31 lead into halftime and from there coasted to its third straight win and a 3-0 record.
Isaiah McCullor paced Northside with 16 points, while Kenneth Jenkins added 14. The 1-A Panthers battled hard, but struggled against their 3-A foe.
Northside (1-2) coach Mike Procter said his team has some talent, but that they just haven’t developed the right chemistry yet.
Pam Pack clamp down on Panthers
A harassing half court trap allowed the Washington girls to pounce on the Panthers and take a 67-13 win on Friday night.
Pam Pack guards Harmony Simpkins, Hayley Stowe and Jordan Cantrell spear-headed a staunch defense that shut down the passing lanes and forced several turnovers that were quickly turned into fastbreak points.
In the paint, Davey Ann Burbage and Sharita Grice gobbled up rebounds on both ends of the floor. Burbage finished the game with 12 points, while Grice added 11.
Stowe, who missed the team’s first three games due to a medical condition, made her return in the Pack’s home opener and hit on her first three shots, one of which was a three pointer.
Stowe led the Pack (2-1) with 13 points.
The 1-A Panthers fought hard but did not have the guard play to match the 3-A Pam Pack.
Northside coach Michelle Leathers said her team just needs to keep practicing and work hard to improve.
Both teams will return to the hardwood Tuesday as the Panthers hit the road to play Mattamuskeet, while the Pam Pack will play its first Coastal Conference game at D.H. Conley.”
Northside 14 17 16 16 — 63
Washington 15 29 21 13 — 78
Panthers (63)
Vereen 6, Cox 7, Harvey 5, Cooper 4, Adams 2, Isaiah McCullor, Kenneth Jenkins 14, Woolard 5.
Pam Pack (78)
Albritton 2, Brandon Tripp 13, Dakuan Spencer 23, Moore 5, Jarees Griffin 17, Anthony Ward 8, Harris 7, Hurton 2, Langley 6, Godley 2. Ross 3.
Girls
Northside 4 1 2 6 — 13
Washington 16 17 13 21 — 67
Panthers (13)
Davis 5, Hollowell 3, Whicard 2, Brewer 3/
Pam Pack (67)
Davey Ann Burbage 12, Simpkins 9, Hayley Stowe 13, Burke 4, Jordan Cantrell 10, Batchelor 2, Sharita Grice 11, Palmer 2, R. Cantrell 2, McIver 2.