Pam Pack loses in agonizing fashion against Chargers

WASHINGTON — The Washington boys basketball team looked set to pick up a conference win Friday night after Omarion Blount drained a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. But Ayden-Grifton grabbed a rebound from a Pam Pack-missed free throw and raced upcourt in seven seconds to score as the final buzzer sounded, handing Washington a heartbreaking 83-82 loss in front of a stunned home crowd.

The final minutes of the game were exhilarating, as Washington (5-12, 1-8 2A Eastern Carolina Conference) allowed Ayden-Grifton (8-11, 4-4 2A ECC) to rally back from nine points down with 2:10 remaining. The Chargers took an 81-79 lead with 0:26 left, thanks to some sloppy play that gifted Ayden-Grifton with a layup.

Not flinching, the Pam Pack answered back through Blount’s 3-pointer, his sixth of the game, to take an 82-81 lead. The Chargers missed on their next possession and fouled when Washington grabbed the rebound with seven seconds remaining. Unfortunately for the Pam Pack, the first free throw of a one-and-one was missed, and the Chargers raced upcourt to score and dash Washington’s hopes for victory.

Blount led the Pam Pack with 27 points, while Justin Powell scored 15, including eight in the final quarter. Kash Godley and Jeremee Bryant both had 10, Jordi Barnes and Terry Moore each chipped in with six points, and Jamauri Bryant and Treshon Pope both contributed four points.

Washington will look to bounce back tomorrow when it travels to South Lenoir.

 

Lady Pam Pack dominates Ayden-Grifton

WASHINGTON — The Washington girls basketball team solidified its spot at third in the conference with a 51-28 victory over Ayden-Grifton Friday night at home.

Washington (9-8, 5-4 2A Eastern Carolina Conference) relied on the trio of Daria Jones, Briasia Somerville and Reagan Ruther to dominate Ayden-Grifton (6-11, 3-5 2A ECC). The trio used their size and length to control the paint on the defensive end, as well as on the offensive end, often grabbing two or three offensive rebounds per possession. Jones, who scored a game-high 14 points, also displayed her range, hitting a pair of 3-pointers as well.

The Pam Pack set the tone early, building a 13-3 lead by the end of the first quarter, before taking a 20-10 lead into halftime. Washington scored 19 points in the third to lead, 39-16, heading into the final quarter.

Somerville chipped in with 10 points, Ruther scored seven, Kizoria Redmond had five points, Arissa Kim contributed four, Cyntavea Blackledge and Dayna Blount both had three and Kiaira Boomer scored two points.

Washington travels to South Lenoir tomorrow to take on the Blue Devils at 6 p.m.

 

Lady Panthers back to winning ways

PINETOWN — Having struggled recently with putting the ball in the basket, Northside rediscovered its scoring touch in a 68-29 win over Terra Ceia Friday night, snapping its three-game losing streak in the process.

Setting the tone early with a man-to-man defense, Northside (6-7, 3-5 1A Coastal Plains Conference) jumped out to a 17-7 lead over Terra Ceia (5-13, 3-9 1A NCISSA Tarheel Conference). Carly James did her best to keep the Knights close, hitting three shots from behind the arc to finish with 17 points, but it wasn’t enough.

The Panthers held Terra Ceia to single-digit outputs every quarter, while Northside poured in the points, scoring 16 in the second period and 27 more in the third. A basket by Gabby Slade early in the fourth gave the Panthers a 40-point lead and triggered a running clock.

Prentiss Thomas led Northside with 27 points, Slade added 14 and Ve’Era Holloway chipped in 12.

Terra Ceia began play in the Tarheel Independent Conference tournament last night at Pungo Academy. Northside hosts South Creek today at 6 p.m.

Southside falls to Pamlico County

CHOCOWINITY — The Southside girls basketball team held conference leader Pamlico County to its second-lowest point total of the season but couldn’t score enough to take advantage, falling to the Hurricanes Friday night, 40-23.

Southside (7-9, 2-6 1A Coastal Plains Conference) held Pamlico County (16-2, 9-0 1A CPC) to well under its season average of 59.5 points per game, but unfortunately for the Seahawks, the Hurricanes were even more effective on defense.

Pamlico County pestered Southside into 27 turnovers on the night, while the Seahawks could never get running in transition, due to recording only eight steals in the game. Southside managed to limit the Hurricanes to only 17 made field goals on 70 attempts, but made only eight baskets on 36 shots itself.

Shantel Cannon scored nine points and came away with four steals for the Seahawks, while Jasmine Blango scored nine as well, Laquisha Woolard contributed three points and Kejasia Midgette contributed two points.

The Seahawks next head to Jones Senior today to take on the Trojans at 6 p.m.

 

Seahawks can’t withstand Hurricanes

CHOCOWINITY — Lacking the firepower to keep up with high-scoring Pamlico County, Southside fell at home to the Hurricanes, 77-50, Friday night.

Pamlico County (9-5, 8-1 1A Coastal Plains Conference) came out firing on all cylinders Friday night, scoring 25 points in the opening period to establish a 14-point lead over Southside (4-14, 0-8 1A CPC).

The Seahawks increased their scoring output every quarter, but couldn’t make a dent in the Hurricanes’ lead, as the conference leaders put more and more distance between themselves and the Seahawks every quarter. Pamlico County took a 42-25 lead into halftime, before increasing it to 61-37 heading into the final period.

Jalen Kirkman led Southside with 13 points, Ty Smith scored 12, Kevin White supplied 10 points, Jamari Nelson had seven, Hundley Stallings scored six points and Hunter Tyler scored two points.

Southside travels to Jones Senior tonight with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.