Washington boys remain undefeated on the year

Published 6:38 pm Wednesday, December 19, 2007

By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
VANCEBORO — Washington used a 19-0 run and some timely free throws from Dakuan Spencer down the stretch to knock off West Craven 63-57, staying unbeaten in the process.
Meanwhile, Hayley Stowe pumped in 21 points and Sam Smith had 9 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Pam Pack girls to a 44-36 win, ending a five-game skid with the victory.
The Pam Pack boys (7-0, 3-0) had three players in double figures in Tuesday’s Coastal Conference clash, led Daquan Daniels with 17 points. Spencer added 15 points and Derrick Mallison 10, including six points on a pair of treys during a 10- run to start the second half.
The Pack jumped out to an 11-7 lead on a 3-ball from Daniels, but a slam dunk by Keith Reed gave the Eagles some momentum heading in the second quarter. Forest Warren, who had 10 points for West Craven, hit a pair of 3-pointers to give the Eagles a 19-18 lead.
Erik Highsmith, who paced the Eagles with 17 points, scored eight of his team’s points during a 9-0 run that gave West Craven a 32-22 advantage.
That’s when the Pam Pack turned up the heat. Spencer scored five points in the waning stages, including a three-point play that pulled Washington within 32-31 at the break.
A layup by Daniels, two trifectas from Mallison and two free throws by Jamaal Rouse (9 points) accounted for the team’s 10 points in a 10-0 run to start the second half. It also capped off a 19-0 blitz that gave Washington a 41-32 advantage.
Mallison’s third triple of the game gave Washington another nine-point lead at 52-41 early in the fourth. Jimmy Gross (15 points) hit some 3-pointers down the stretch for West Craven to make things interesting, but Daniels and Spencer hit timely free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.
The Pam Pack will enjoy the undefeated record through the holidays. Washington doesn’t return to action until Jan. 2 at Ayden-Grifton.
Washington girls win
First-year Pam Pack coach Allison Jones couldn’t smile until the final horn. In a game that went back and forth, Washington finally took command in the final minutes en route to a 44-36 win.
Stowe’s 21 points led all scorers, while she also dished out five assists and had five steals. Smith was a monster on the board with 22 caroms to go with her 9 points. Davey Ann Burbage chipped in with 8 points, six rebounds, five steals and five assists.
The game wouldn’t been so close, but the Pack (4-5, 1-2) struggled at the free throw line.
Burbage gave the Pack an early 6-0 lead with three consecutive baskets and Washington led 9-0 early on in the first quarter.
Tocarra Jones, who led West Craven with 15 points, led a 10-0 run that gave the Eagles a 15-14 lead early in the second. Washington, which went 6:17 without a field goal, still managed to rally and took a 22-17 lead into the half.
The Pack went another 4:51 in the third quarter without a field goal, but West Craven struggled offensively as well. A jumper by Stowe ended Washington’s drought and tied the game at 24-apiece.
Burbage followed by hitting a short jumper for a 26-24 lead and the Pack wouldn’t trail again.
While Washington didn’t hit a field goal in the fourth, Stowe converted 6 of 8 at the charity stripe to keep her team in the lead.
The Pack will play in the Ayden-Grifton holiday tournament Dec. 27-28.
Washington 13 18 14 18 — 63
West Craven 11 21 7 18 — 57
WASHINGTON (63)
Daquan Daniels 17, Dakuan Spencer 15, Derrick Mallison 10, Rouse 9, Griffin 6, Cox 5, M. Moore 1, J. Moore, Godley.
WEST CRAVEN (57)
Erik Highsmith 17, Jimmy Gross 15, Forest Warren 10, Reed 6, Cox 5, Monk 4, Crowell, Becton.
Girls
Washington 14 8 12 10 — 44
West Craven 7 10 14 5 — 36
WASHINGTON (44)
Hayley Stowe 21, Smith 9, Burbage 8, Simpkins 5, Tackett 1, Grice, Palmer, Batchelor, Cox, Weatherington.
WEST CRAVEN (36)
Tocarro Jones 15, Chiquita Jackson 14, Brown 3, Sewett 2, Sheppard 2, Green, Hill, Bryant, Nobles, Squires, Wright, Nickerson.