Calvin Adkins
The North Edgecombe Warriors didn't play exactly like their coach wanted them to against their conference foe, the Northampton-West Hurricanes Monday night, but they did enough to win.
In a somewhat lethargic manner, the Warriors defeated the Hurricanes 61-56 and are riding a nine-game winning streak. However, there was nothing lethargic about the play of Warrior Montrezl Harrell. Harrell proved to be too much for the Hurricanes to handle on both ends of the court. The sophomore sensation had 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 block shots and four dunks. The triple double was Harrell's sixth of the season. He also has 15 double-doubles.
"He has been playing great," Ward said. "Defensively he makes it easy for us to take chances because we know that he has us covered."
Although Harrell had a superstar type night, the Warriors couldn't put the Hurricanes away. North couldn't muster any higher than a 12 point lead.
"We lacked intensity tonight and we just couldn't put them away," Ward said. "One thing that is hurting us is that we haven't been in the gym (to practice). I can't tell you when the last time we've been in the gym."
Each time the Hurricanes would make a run, the Warriors answered back. Late in the fourth quarter the Hurricanes went on a mini-run and cut the lead to 56-50. Harrell emphatically ended the notion of a possible comeback with two thunder dunks and a free throw that ended the scoring for the Warriors.
Warrior Tamiyas Pearce contributed 14 points. Marvin Rawls led the Hurricanes scoring with 20 points.
Perhaps one of the reasons that the Warriors didn't get into a rhythm is because Ward substantially substituted throughout the entire game. Ward said he was "trying to conserve" his players energy for the game tonight against Tar Roanoke Conference leader Weldon.
Weldon is undefeated in the conference and the only team that has beaten the Warriors. With three games left in the regular season, a victory by the Warriors could lead to a two-way tie for first place.
"I really didn't want to play this game tonight," Ward said. "I wanted some time to prepare for Weldon. Weldon is a good team. They play hard from the tip off until three zeros are on the clock. We will get a chance to see where we are and if we are ready for the No. 3 season - the playoffs."
Lady Warriors 54,
Lady Hurricanes 48
In the girls game, Alysia Harvey was the Lady Warriors superstar. Harvey scored 14 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead North over the Lady Hurricanes 54-48.
North trailed the entire first half and scored only 15 points.
After a halftime pep talk, the Warriors came out inspired. A pep talk that apparently included an all out defensive blitz and it worked.
North held the Hurricanes to five third quarter points. North's defense sparked their offense. Shaunkia Johnson knocked in back-to-back jumpers including a 3-pointer and the Warriors trailed 22-21 with 3:47 left in the game. Jasmine Downing tied the game with two free throws and then scored a basket underneath the goal and the Warriors took their first lead of the game at 25-23. North maintain that lead the remainder of the game.
Downing scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Johnson scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and four steals.
The Warriors are tied for first place with Northampton East. The top teams will collide Saturday that will probably decide the winner of the conference title.
"We fell behind and we had to fight back," said Warriors Coach James Vines. "I told the girls don't look at the points, look at the baskets. If you are champions you have to play like champions.' They fought back. That shows what type of team that we have. This was a must-win game for us tonight."
