By By EUGENE L. TINKLEPAUGH, Staff Writer
Washington Pam Pack hit the court blazing Tuesday and broke out a big, early lead against West Carteret that almost slipped away in the final moments of the game.
Slowing down the offense just about cost the fast-paced, run-and-gun ballers the win when the Patriots mounted a steady fourth-quarter assault on all Pam Pack fronts.
West Craven whittled down a 20-point lead in the final minutes of the ball game, outscoring Washington by 18 points in the fourth to bring the game within 3 with seconds to play.
Two missed three-pointers just before the buzzer had fans on their feet. This is Washington’s third win of the season, a much-needed boost to the ball club, said coach Joe Lawrence.
Lawrence gave kudos to the Patriots for its late offensive.
The Pam Pack has struggled with its offense this season.
Lawrence said, the team shot over 50 percent Tuesday night, which sealed the victory.
Three Pam Pack players hit double digits, and the team garnered nine steals and seven fast-break assists. Daquan Daniel led Washington with 20 points. Cor-J Cox scored 14, and Chris Moore contributed 10.
The Patriots top scorer, C.J. Fallin, ended the night with 26 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter. The team leader answered Pam Pack scores with quick drives to the hole, taking it all on his own to score easy buckets in the lane.
Defensive pressure forced a couple of Washington turnovers and allowed the Patriots to rally. With 20.8 seconds left to play, Washington is up by three, loses the ball and nearly the game.
Washington got off to a quick start, keeping the Patriots to seven points in the first quarter while pumping out 20. The Pam Pack outscored the Patriots every quarter except the last when it tried to burn out the clock.
The girls game was just as close but not as happy a ending for the Pam Pack. Washington lost its third straight, sending its record to 3-12.
The Pam Pack had a sluggish start, giving an early advantage to the Patriots. In the final period, Washington tied up the ball game, but the game slipped away in the final moments.
Foul trouble and poor shooting at the free throw line did the girls team in, 53-46.
The Pam Pack shot 30 percent from the line, missing 19 of 27.
Coach Bobby Andrews said the team has been plagued at the line all season.
Guards Hayley Stowe and Harmony Simpkins led the team at both ends of the court. Together the duo scored 35 of the Pam Pack’s 46 points, and amped up the defense with a pair of steals each.
Samantha Smith helped out on the boards, snagging down six rebounds, forcing a steal down low and scoring a pair of jumpers in the final quarter.
In the second quarter of action, the Pam Pack came within 1 on two separate occasions but missed chances to take the lead by missing free throws.
West Carteret made a 4-0 run late in the first half to come out with a 5 point lead to start the third period.
Simpkins hit back-to-back treys in a fourth-quarter rally to tie up the game with 1:13 to go, but the Patriots quickly answered with its own three-point shot.
The last minute of the game was dominated by Patriot possession and the Pam Pack scrapping to create turnovers, a jump ball that went the Patriots way and a 4-0 run to close the door on the Pam Pack’s hope for a comeback victory.
Washington’s Junior Varsity boys team beat the Patriots 79-74.
Boys Game
West Carteret 7 17 19 29 — 72
Washington 20 21 20 14 — 75
West Carteret (72)
C.J. Fallin 26, Brandon Johnson 13, Jared Belknap 11, Tripp 9, Bryant 6, Fox 3, Gomola 2, Green 2.
Washington (75)
Daquan Daniel 20, Cor-J Cox 14, Chris Moore 10, Godley 9, Rogers 8, J. Moore 6, Wiggins 5, Jefferson 3.
Girls Game
West Carteret 11 15 10 17 — 53
Washington 6 15 8 17 — 46
West Carteret (53)
Julee Brown, 14, Dorantich 9, Moore 7, Huff 6, Miller 6, Bordeau 5, Morris 4, Crossen 2.
Washington (46)
Hayley Stowe 19, Harmony Simpkins 16, Grice 5, Smith 4, Burbage 2.