By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
One day after its tough loss to New Bern, Washington once again tasted defeat as it fell 50-39 to Ayden-Grifton.
A slow start by the Pam Pack proved costly as it never recovered from its 14-6 first quarter deficit.
Washington coach Joe Lawrence said his team may have been fatigued on Wednesday.
Fatigue may have factored into the Pack’s poor shooting. Washington missed several 3-point attempts, while failing to attack the basket for four quarters.
The Pack’s inability to hit outside shots allowed the Chargers to stay in its zone for a majority of the game.
Lawrence said his team has had trouble beating the zone all season.
Defensively, Washington played reasonably well as it limited the Chargers to 50 points. However, the smaller Pack lineup had trouble defending Ayden-Grifton center Terrance Carner who had a game-high 16 points.
Brendan Rogers led all Washington scorers with 11 points.
The Washington girls fell short of glory as well, falling 42-41 to Ayden-Grifton. Like the boys, the Pam Pack girls struggled mightily on offense.
After holding a 25-23 halftime lead, Washington managed only three points in the third quarter to head into the final stanza down 31-28.
Washington recovered its scoring touch in the fourth, out-scoring the Chargers 13-11, but it was not enough.
With 2:25 left in the game Washington pulled even with Ayden-Grifton when Tanisha Boston nailed a 10-footer to tie the game 36.
The Pack took a 41-40 lead with 35 seconds left in the fourth when Boston went 1-2 from the free throw line.
The Chargers’ Nicole Hyman iced the game when she drove for a layup with under 30 seconds left on the clock.
After the Hyman score, Washington failed to produce a quality shot for the rest of the game as it dropped its record to 3-9 (1-5).
Washington coach Bobby Andrews said his team as lost some firepower due to injuries.
Washington had trouble on the defensive end as well. Ayden-Grifton center Teairra Jones took advantage of the Pam Pack’s Samantha Smith foul trouble in the second half, totaling a game-high 11 points, all of which game in the third and fourth quarter.
The Chargers Hyman was the only other player to hid double-digits as she finished the game with 10 points.
Harmony Simpkins led the Washington with nine points.
The Pam Pack will look to bounce back on Friday as it hosts Havelock.
Ayden-Grifton 14 10 11 15 — 50
Washington 6 10 11 12 — 39
Ayden-Grifton (50)
Tanner Carner 16, Terrance Peterson 12, Williams 4, Gay 6, McGhee 9, Rodriguez 2.
Washington (39)
Moore, 4, Cox 6, Daniels 5, Jefferson 5, C. Moore 3, Brendan Rogers 11, Godley 2, Mallison 2.
Girls
Ayden-Grifton 11 12 8 11 — 42
Washington 12 13 3 13 — 41
Ayden-Grifton (42)
Williams 7, Nicole Hyman 10, Crandell 4, Woods 8, Teairra Johnson 11, Roberson 2.
Washington (41)
Stowe 7, Cox 4, Simpkins 9, Burbage 8, Grice 7, Smith 2, Boston 4