Vikings, Cougars girls advance to title game

Calvin Adkins

The North Edgecombe Lady Warriors may have celebrated the holiday spirit too long. North failed to score in the first quarter and was defeated 43-30 by the defending champions, SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars Monday night during the Edgecombe County Holiday Classic Tournament.

The Warriors, (0-2), a much improved team from previous years, will play Northwest Halifax 6:30 tonight during the girls consolation game. Northwest was defeated by Tarboro. SouthWest and Tarboro will play in the championship game 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

SouthWest dealt the Warriors there two losses of the season. Warriors coach James Vines said Monday's game was a carbon copy of the first.

"It was a repeat of the first game we played them," Vines said. "We missed too many easy shots. We can't miss those type of shots against a team like SouthWest and expect to win. But we were not as aggressive as we were the last game. We came out sluggish in the beginning.

"I hope that we can bounce back and play better against Northwest and take home third place."

Jessica Barnes led the Cougars with 11 points and Quandera Braswell added 10. NyNeka Euwell, who came in the game averaging a double-double was held to seven points however, she grabbed 20 rebounds.

"Both teams played in slow motion tonight," said Cougars Coach Sandra Langley. "We did enough to get by and that's what counts. We are happy to be back in the championship round."

SouthWest (6-2) has dominated the girls tournament winning the five titles.



Tarboro 45, Northwest Halifax 38



Raven White gave the Tarboro Vikings a big push when they needed it most against the scrappy Northwest Halifax Vikings Monday night during the second girl game. The senior dropped three consecutive jumpers that pushed the Vikings to a 41-33 lead with less than two minutes to go in the game.

The push came after Northwest tied the game at 33-33 about midway of the fourth quarter.

White led the Vikings with 14 points.

Tarboro led 29-24 at halftime after a lethargic second quarter by both teams, which combined for scoring only six points. Tarboro scored two of those points.

"We have to learn to close out games," said Vikings Coach Jamie Willoughby. "That has been our problem. We scored only two points in the second quarter. We can't do that. We have to learn how to close out games."

Willoubhby said the Vikings are looking forward to facing the Cougars in the championship round.

"We are excited about playing them," she said. "They are a good team. This game is good for the tournament – its good for the crowd."

Text Only