Sports - January 2004

Mustangs lose in Schenk’s debut

Published January 7, 2004

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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On the day the East Lincoln Mustangs named Terry Schenk interim head basketball coach the team hosted lost to Berry Academy 62-55.

Schenk’s debut was poised for a victory but a full-court pressure defense derailed those hopes, giving the Mustangs the loss.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead 6-2 with 5:17 left in the first quarter. However, East stormed back courtesy of back-to-back three pointers by T.J. Smith and Darin Dellinger. A Dante Roseboro runner gave the Mustangs the lead 10-9 with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter. Smith had five in the first period.

The Cardinals, behind the strength of two Justin Arnette three-pointers ended the first quarter on top 17-14. The quarter showcased pin-point shooting by both teams.

The Mustangs cooled off considerably in the second quarter. They scored only four points in the first 4:30 seconds of the second. Grant Covington, who did not play the first quarter due to disciplinary reasons, hit a free-throw to bring the Mustangs closer 29-23. He led East with five points in the second. Berry went into the locker room with a 31-23 halftime edge.

The Mustangs played inspired basketball early in the second half. Smith had four straight points in less than a minute of play to make the score 31-27, Berry’s advantage. East was not finished, reeling off a 7-0 run to begin the third period.

Two Roseboro free throws with 6:07 left in the third gave East a slim 32-31 advantage. A Roseboro layup with 4:15 seconds remaining in the third quarter gave the Mustangs a 36-33 lead.

The highlight of the game was T.J. Smith taking the ball around his back, to fake out the defender, and hitting a layup to put the Mustangs ahead 41-37 with 2:36 left in the third period. He had another big scoring quarter with six. Dellinger had five in the third.

With under two minutes things started to derail. Full-court pressure by the Cardinals resulted in numerous turnovers and lead to a 6-0 run highlighted by a Reginald Howard one handed flush. They ended the quarter on a 8-1 run to put them ahead of East 45-42 through three quarters of play.

The full-court defense continued in the fourth, wreaking havoc on Mustang ball handlers.

Schenk believed the Cardinals’ press was very effective.

“Their press really hurt us. We turned the ball over too much. We need to work on that,” he said.

 With 4:50 left in the final quarter a Roseboro free throw pulled his team closer, 50-44. With three minutes remaining in the ball game the Cardinals extended their lead to 10.

Covington and Roseboro tried to keep their team close scoring five and four, respectively, in the final period but it was to no avail. Two Covington free throws brought the Mustangs within six, 55-49, with 1:07 left in the game. They would get no closer.

Schenk was happy with his team’s effort, but not the result.

“We were close to winning the ball game tonight, we just couldn’t quite get over that hump,” he said.

The Mustangs had balanced scoring led by Roseboro who had 15, Covington with 12, Smith contributed with 11 and Dellinger scoring 10.

The loss lowers the Mustangs’ record to 5-8 overall and 0-3 in the Big South 3A.

Having been a head coach on the middle school level Schenk is excited to be a head coach once again.

“I’m happy for the opportunity to be a head coach again. I hope Coach Hodges can make it back next season,” he said.

Hodges said he is happy to give Schenk the opportunity.

“We are thankful to have a coach with Terry’s experience available to be the interim head coach,” he said.

Hodges is planning to return to the bench for the 2004-2005 season. Chip Ashley has been serving as the head man most of this season.

Berry Academy- Justin Arnette 16, Eric Crews 10, Kendell Toney 9, Omar Carter 7, Malcom Valentine 8, Wale Toyo 8, J.C. Harris 2, Reginald Howard 2.

East Lincoln- Darin Dellinger 10, Dante Roseboro 15, T.J. Smith 11, Grant Covington 12, Jadarious Roseboro 2, Jamelle Lowery 2, Ryan Wood 2.

Varsity Women’s

The Lady Mustangs jumped on the Lady Cardinals early before winning 70-35.

East Lincoln was ahead 16-3 at the end of the first quarter. That effort was matched in second quarter with the home team scoring 19 more points for a 35-13 advantage.

Sara Fleming served as the catalyst for the Lady Mustangs scoring 26 points and gathering over 10 rebounds.

Head coach Henry Barkley was very pleased with her performance.

“She had a game-high 26 and was very strong on the boards,” he said.

Fleming, herself, felt she could do better and emphasized the team more.

“I should have had 40 tonight, but I have to work on my free throws. It was a total team effort tonight and Jessica (Glenn) really stepped up tonight and had a good game,” she said.

The Lady Mustangs forced numerous turnovers all game long with aggressive defense.

Through three quarters of play the score was 48-25. East, however, saved their best for last adding 19 points in the final quarter.

Barkley was very happy with his team’s hustle.

“Everyone played hard. There were a few dirty uniforms by getting after those loose balls,” he said.

The coach was also impressed by two freshman: Courtney Feldon and Jessica Glenn.

“I’m very proud of my two freshmen. They played well,” he said.

Leslie Marlow and Glenn were in double figures scoring 11 apiece. Shemele Smith contributed with eight points, while Feldon chipped in with six.

Berry Academy- Lazetta Crawford 2, Carise Moss 3, Kyndall Cummings 10, Sasha Glisson 19.

East Lincoln- Jessica Glenn 11, Koree Roseboro 2, Leslie Marlow 11, Courtney Feldon 6, Toree Roseboro 2, Kim Scercy 3, Brooke Michael 3, Shemele Smith 8, Sara Fleming 26.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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