By Staff
By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — Freshman gaurds Chante Painter and Katisha Hyman continued to impress during their first year with the varsity Seahawks as they guided Southside to a gritty 60-53 win over a tough Pamlico team on Friday night.
Painter paced Southside (6-2) with a game-high 19 points, while Hyman was right behind her with 18.
The duo seemed to get better as the game went on, as Hyman sealed the deal for the Seahawks by scoring nine fourth-quarter points, while Painter erupted for 11 in the third.
Pamlico (3-2) was led by star forward Kaylah Blount, who along with guard Leigh Ward each netted a team-high 14 points. Hurricanes’ point guard Shonda Bell was limited to nine points.
Southside and Pamlico traded leads throughout the game, but most of the second half was controlled by the Seahawks.
The Hurricanes made a late run and took the lead with a little under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter when Darian Roberts drilled a three to put them up 42-41.
Southside quickly struck back, and recaptured the lead on a Mandi Harding bucket.
Hyman expanded Southside’s lead to 54-46 when she drove to the hoop for a layup, then got a steal and took it to the rim for another quick two.
From that point on the Seahawks were able to fend off the feisty Hurricanes.
Hurricanes fly by Seahawks
The Pamlico boys basketball team showed that last year’s run at a state title was no fluke, as the Hurricanes played excellent team basketball in their 67-45 win over Southside on Friday.
Unselfish play by Pamlico sparked an 18-4 first quarter run, and was highlighted by Maurice King’s five points and a few assists from freshman guard/forward Shane Whitfield.
Former Southside Kendall Ham led the Hurricanes (5-1) with 14 points, while Whitfield notched 12.
Southside (3-3) featured two players in double figures in Willie Ruffin and Lonnie Williams. Ruffin netted a team-high 12 points, while Williams added nine.
The Hurricanes were patient and careful with the ball as they executed their offense, while that was not necessarily the case for the young Seahawks.
The Seahawks were able to slow the tempo down in the second quarter and were only out-scored 10-8 to go into halftime down 28-12.
After the break, Pamlico pushed the pace and was able to take a commanding 49-24 lead heading into the fourth.
Southside’s JV boys team was able to improve their record to 5-1 as the Seahawks topped Pamlico 46-37. Jordan Benston led the team with 11 points, wile Tony Grice had five blocks.
The Seahawks will look rebound on Tuesday when it hits the road to play Camden.
Pamlico 18 10 21 18 — 67
Southside 4 8 12 24 — 45
Hurricanes (67)
King 8, Blount 8, Holliday 8, Shane Whitfield 12, Kendall Ham 16, Pearsal 5, McCroy 4, Boone 4, T. King 3.
Seahawks (45)
Willie Ruffin 13, Lonnie Williams 10, Aaron 3, Spruill 6, Reddick 4, Green 4, Long 3, Windley 5.
Girls
Pamlico 10 9 16 18 — 53
Southside 8 12 19 21 — 60
Hurricanes (53)
Kayla Blount 14, Leigh Ward 14, Jenkins 4, Bell 9, Ellenburg 3, Hollowell 5, Roberts 5.
Seahawks (60)
Chante Painter 19, Katisha Hyman 18, Harding 9, Cradle 3, Whitney 3, Ruffin 2, Jones 4.