By By STEVE FRANKLIN
Sports Writer
HAVELOCK - Judging by the smile on Washington coach Allison Jones’ face following the Lady Pam Pack’s Coastal Conference tournament opener against Havelock, one might have thought that No. 7 Washington had pulled off the upset of the second-seeded Rams.
However, that wasn’t the case.
A short-handed Lady Pack squad strung together one of its best efforts of the season on Monday night, but in the end fell short to a stout Havelock bunch, 61-48.
The Pam Pack dressed just six girls and was without leading scorer Harmony Simpkins, who was nursing a leg injury. Still, Washington managed to scrap until the final buzzer.
Washington didn’t have an answer for the combination of Rams’ forward Alyssa Luebs and guard Melissa Thomas, who combined for 40 points and 19 rebounds on the night.
Luebs set the tone for Havelock with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Thomas added 19 points and six boards.
The Lady Pam Pack (9-12, 4-11) was beaten on the boards all night, as Havelock (18-6, 11-3) out-rebounded Washington 43-25.
Washington seniors Jordan Cantrell and Davey Ann Burbage both ended their careers with big performances on Monday evening. Cantrell scored a team-high 15 points and added a team-leading eight rebounds, while Burbage chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Afterwards, Jones lauded the play of her two seniors.
Junior guard Haley Stowe added 11 points for Washington, freshman Rachel Cantrell finished with six and sophomore Beth Batchelor chipped in with five, including a 40-foot buzzer beater at the end of the contest.
Havelock 61, Washington 48
Washington 10 12 8 18 - 48
Havelock 20 11 11 19 - 61
Washington (48)
Jordan Cantrell 15, Davey Ann Burbage 10, Haley Stowe 11, R. Cantrell 6, Batchelor 5, McIver 1.
Havelock (61)
Alyssa Luebs 21, Melissa Thomas 19, Kahla Godette 11, Wilson 4, Nix 6.