Sports - December 2003

North’s men are solid but loses

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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North Lincoln played, arguably, their best half of basketball Tuesday night at East Lincoln, before stumbling to a 51-36 loss.

The Mustangs and fans were excited early by a Grant Covington one-handed dunk.

The Knights, meanwhile, struggled to get things going with their first points coming three minutes into the game on a Wayne White three.

North Lincoln’s Alex Loftin put together two highlights in the first quarter. On the first play, he went baseline, jumped up and hit a windmill reverse layup.

Then to end the quarter Loftin popped a three-pointer from three feet behind the line to tie the game at 11 at the end of the first quarter.

North took the lead 18-17 with 1:50 left in the first half on the strength of four points from Aaron Mintun.

However, a stifling Mustang defense, T.J. Smith and Covington were just too much for the Knights in the third quarter. Smith got into rhythm and connected for eight points in the quarter. His teammate Covington dropped in six.

The Mustangs went on an eight-two run to end the third quarter 41-31.

North, although showing improvement, was unable to get it going the rest of the game. They went scoreless until 3:23 left in the game when Wayne White connected on two free throws.

Covington was strong in the post recording 16 points for the game. Acting Mustangs coach Chip Ashley believed that was an area they needed to win.

“We felt like we had the advantage inside. I thought that was one thing we didn’t take advantage of in the first meeting,” he said.

It was quite a turnaround for Covington who scored less than five against the Knights in their first meeting.

“They were playing man on me. They were not double teaming me, so I just took it up. It was a good win to get our morale up for Lincolnton,” Covington said of his performance and upcoming game against the Wolves.

The Mustangs’ defensive intensity picked up in the third quarter. Ashley believed that was the main reason they came away with the win.

“They had a lot of turnovers, but I think our defense had a lot to do with that. I was very pleased with our defense starting midway through the third quarter,” he said.

White nailed two three-pointers for North to lead them in scoring with 11. Kenny Bethea chipped in with seven.

Smith, for East, had a solid outing with 12 points. Carlos Marquez contributed with eight. Teammate Jamelle Lowery, a sophomore, finished with seven in the game.

North drops to 0-7 on the year. East ups their mark to 3-3 heading into their Friday date with Lincolnton.

North Lincoln: Brandon Mull 1, Alex Loftin 5, Wayne White 11, Kenny Bethea 7, Miquan Smith 4, Trey Whiteside 2, Aaron Mintun 6.

East Lincoln: Darin Dellinger 3, Jamelle Lowery 7, Dante Roseboro 2, T.J. Smith 12, Carlos Marquez 8, Ryan Wood 1, Grant Covington 16, Josh Davis 2.

Women’s Varsity

North was without head coach Mark Lackey and guard Caroline Farris, but they were not without fight. Despite their efforts they fell to the host East Lincoln Lady Mustangs 49-29 Tuesday night.

East Lincoln head coach Henry Barkley was pleased with his team’s performance.

“Our plan was to, if we could, jump out to an early lead, so we could use all our people. We wanted to do some pressing too and we did that,” he said.

Sara Fleming was the game-high scorer with 19 for the Lady Mustangs. Barkley was happy with her play and teammate Brooke Michaels.

“Sara Fleming had a heckuva game and did a super job. Brooke Michael did a good job defensively and worked well. I’m proud of all my kids,” he said.

Leslie Marlowe scored nine points, Michael contributed with eight points and Kim Scercy chipped in with five points for East Lincoln.

Fleming, who leads the Lady Mustangs in points and rebounding, wasn’t extremely happy with her play.

“It (my performance) could have been better. I just need to start relaxing on my shots and work on my follow through more,” she said.

Sara McCall led the Lady Knights with nine points, while teammate Jessie Devine scored seven. Lindsey Smith and Kathryn Thorne both contributed with four points.

Fleming believes that their team is starting to gell.

“I think we’re starting to learn where each other is going to be on the floor. Coaches are coming in and really helping us on defense,” she said.

Barkley was impressed with the Lady Knights playing so hard under such difficult circumstances.

“You got to give them credit, they (North) had several kids out sick and coach Lackey (a good friend of mine) and you got to give them credit because they didn’t back off that second half they continued to play,” he said.

The Lady Mustangs improve to 4-2 on the season. North falls to 2-5 on the year.

North Lincoln: Brittany Reel 3, Kathryn Thorne 4, Jessie Devine 7, Lindsey Smith 4, Sara McCall 9, Tyler Harrill 2.

East Lincoln: Sarah Fleming 19, Leslie Marlowe 9, Kim Scercy 5, Brooke Michael 8, Koree Roseboro 3, Susan Rutledge 2, Toree Roseboro 2, Shemele Smith 1.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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