Mariners lambaste Southside

BEAUFORT — Robert Johnson had a game-best 21 points and 10 rebounds in East Carteret’s 81-28 handling of Southside on Wednesday. Jack Garrison IV (19 points) and Maceo Donald (12) each scored in double figures to fuel the Mariners’ offense, too.

East Carteret used good ball movement and speed to find easy baskets against Southside’s defense. The hosting Mariners shot 67 percent from the floor. Five players had three assists, and five also had at least three steals.

The Mariners exploded for 52 points in the first half to remain a perfect 4-0 in 1-A Coastal Plains Conference competition. Southside’s dozen points in the fourth was the only period in which the Seahawks scored in double digits.

Demetrius Ebron led Southside with seven points. Only four others made baskets in the loss.

After a nine-day layoff, Southside will return to action on Jan. 20 to host local rival Northside.

East Carteret powers past Lady Seahawks

BEAUFORT — East Carteret outscored Southside 26-8 in the second quarter of Wednesday’s game, and eventually won 70-44. The loss drops the Lady Seahawks to 1-3 in league play.

Symone Ruffin took over offensively, scoring a game-high 21 points. No other Southside players mustered more than six points, and three Lady Mariners scored over 10.

The second quarter proved to be the difference in the game. The two sides were competitive in each of the other three periods, and Southside outscored its hosts 12-9 in the final eight minutes, but couldn’t dig itself out of the sizeable hole.

The Lady Seahawks took 55 shots in the game, including 26 from behind the arc, but couldn’t find their stroke. Only four of those 3-pointers dropped. They finished only 27 percent from the field.

The Lady Mariners came up with 21 steals to fuel a breakout offense that resulted in easy baskets.

Southside hopes to bounce back against Northside on Jan. 20.