By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — It took an extra four minutes, but Southside was able to secure its first conference win of the season on Friday night.
Willie Ruffin scored 18 of his game-high 23 points after the break, as the Seahawks erased a seven-point third quarter deficit en route to a 55-50 overtime victory over Manteo.
Trailing 23-16 at the half, the Seahawks opened up the third quarter with a 13-3 run to grab a 29-26 lead with 3:53 left in the quarter, as Ruffin scored nine points in four minutes.
The two teams traded jabs throughout the third and fourth quarters with each team going up by as many as five points.
The Seahawks went up 42-38 with 1:56 left in the fourth, as they strung together a 5-0 run behind layups from Ruffin and Lonnie Williams, and a free throw by Teon Aaron.
Southside had several opportunities to put the game away late, but the Seahawks — who went 12-of-13 from the free throw line in the first 30 minutes of the game — missed five free throws in the final two minutes, and also turned the ball over three times.
The Redskins took full advantage.
Manteo’s Josh Norman buried a three-pointer with 1:02 left to cut the lead to 42-41, then with eight seconds left, the Seahawks turned the ball over underneath their own basket and were forced to foul Manteo’s James McClease. McClease knocked down the first free throw, before missing long on the second shot, forcing overtime.
Ruffin and Williams took over in the extra session, combining for three steals and eight points, as Southside built a 50-43 lead.
Manteo cut to 53-50 in the final ten seconds, before Ruffin secured the victory with two free throws with six seconds left.
Williams finished with nine points for Southside, while Kendrick Reddick had eight and Dash Spruell added seven points and eight rebounds.
McClease led Manteo with a double-double, scoring 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
The Seahawks (4-4) will return to action tonight when they take on Washington in the third game of the Washington Daily News Holiday Invitational. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
Lady ‘Skins race past Lady ‘Hawks
Southside coach Bill Lake believes his team had already left for the holiday break before Friday night’s contest with Manteo.
The Lady ‘Hawks turned the ball over on a plethora of occasions in the first half, and made just one field goal in the first 18 minutes of play, as the Redskins built a 28-7 halftime lead and never looked back, trouncing Southside, 44-20.
Southside made just six field goals all night, as it was held to a season-low 20 points.
Manteo was led by Nistasha Murray, who notched 11 points, while Mecca Jones added seven.
Mandi Harding, Valerie Ruffin and Shannon Dudley each had four points for the Lady Seahawks.
Southside will return to action Jan. 5 as it takes on Roanoke.
J.V. boys fall
Southside’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team was upended by Manteo, 75-61 on Friday afternoon.
Curtis Myers had a team-high 13 points for the Seahawks, while Josh Garris and Derick Cannon each added seven.
The junior ‘Hawks (5-3) will take the next two weeks off before returning to the court against Roanoke on Jan. 5.
Manteo 9 14 11 8 8 — 50
Southside 12 4 17 9 13 — 55
Manteo (50)
James McClease 16, Norman 9, Howard 3, Nelson 6, Bozarth 3, Holley 8 and Bailey 5.
Southside (55)
Willie Ruffin 23, Windley 5, Williams 9, Reddick 8, Aaron 3 and Spruell 7.
Girls
Manteo 12 16 6 10 — 44
Souhside 3 4 5 8 — 20
Manteo (44)
Nistasha Murray 11, Chesson 2, Hinnant 2, Sykes 5, Minton 1, McMurray 6, LaCount 4, Daniels 4, Jones 7 and T. Daniels 2.
Southside (20)
Harding 4, Ruffin 4, Dudley 4, Whitney 2, Hyman 1, Haywood 2, Avery 1, Jones 1 and Cradle 1.