By By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE - Lonnie Williams did a little bit of everything for Southside on Monday afternoon.
The sophomore guard scored 19 points, pulled down eight rebounds, had eight steals, dished out four assists and blocked three shots as Southside rallied past Terra Ceia in the second half for a 60-50 victory in the second round of the Washington Daily News Holiday Invitational.
Terra Ceia grabbed an early lead over Southside on day two of the tournament as Justin Lilley caught fire, scoring 12 points in the opening half to help the Knights take a 28-26 lead into the intermission.
But in the second half, Southside’s athleticism and depth took over.
The Seahawks outscored the Knights 13-8 in the third quarter behind seven points from Williams, then erupted in the fourth period.
Leading 39-36 after the third quarter, Southside went on a 16-5 run to start the fourth.
During that stretch, Willie Ruffin scored eight points, including two back-breaking three-pointers.
Ruffin had 10 of his 12 points in the final eight minutes as Southside outscored Terra Ceia 21-14 down the stretch.
Teon Aaron also had a big night for Southside, scoring 15 points and pulling down nine rebounds.
Lilley led the Knights with 18 points, while Hunter Davenport added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite the victory, White was concerned with his team’s lackadaisical effort.
The Seahawks turned the ball over 28 times on the day.
Southside (5-5, 1-1 in the tournament) will take on Northside’s junior varsity squad (6-3, 1-1 in tournament play) at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, on the final day of the Washington Daily News Holiday Invitational. Terra Ceia (1-12, 0-2 in the tournament) will square off with Cape Hatteras (1-9, 0-2 in tournament action) in the first game of the day, beginning at 3 p.m.
Terra Ceia 12 16 8 14 - 50
Southside 17 9 13 21 - 60
Terra Ceia (50)
Justin Lilley 18, Hunter Davenport 11, Van Essendelft 2, Latham 5, Boerema 8, Belcher 6
Southside (60)
Lonnie Williams 19, Willie Ruffin 12, Teon Aaron 15, Spruell 1, Stiles 1, Windley 6, Wesson 2, Reddick 4.
Creswell bounces back from big loss
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE - Creswell bounced back from a 35-point defeat to Pamlico County in the opening round of the Washington Daily News Holiday Invitational with a big win of its own on Monday afternoon.
The Tigers used a balanced scoring attack - six different players scored at least six points - to roll over Cape Hatteras, 59-32 in the second round of the WDN holiday tourney.
After a slow start by both teams, the Tigers raced out to an early lead as senior guard Shivon Spear scored eight first half points to help Creswell double up Cape Hatteras in the first half, 24-12.
In the third quarter, the Tigers’ offense exploded for 24 points, as they pulled away from the Hurricanes. Forward Ralphon Owens helped spark a 20-6 run during the quarter with six straight points, as Creswell went up by as many as 26 points during the third.
Turnovers were the difference in the second half. Cape Hatteras turned the ball over 17 in the final two quarters, while Creswell committed just seven.
Shivon Spear led Creswell with 12 points, Justin Phelps had 11 and Owens added 10 points and nine rebounds. The Hurricanes were paced by Christian Stowe with 11, While Isaac Copes added seven.
Creswell (3-2, 1-1 in the tournament) will take on Northside’s varsity team (X-X, 1-1 in tournament play) at 6 p.m. today, while Cape Hatteras (1-9, 0-2 in tourney play) matches up with Terra Ceia (1-12, 0-2 in the tournament) in the seventh place game at 3 p.m. this afternoon.
Game 1
Cape Hatteras 4 8 14 6 – 32
Creswell 8 16 24 11 – 59
Cape Hatteras (32)
Christian Stowe 11, Beierlein 3, Easley 2, Skipperdine 5, Morgan 4, Copes 7.
Creswell (59)
Shivon Spear 12, Justin Phelps 11, Ralphon Owens 10, D. Phelps 5, Hill 6, Blount 6, Ambrose 8.