North Duplin’s DuJuan Armwood (10) scores as Spring Creek’s Brennan Chambers attempts to draw a charge Friday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Trashawn Ruffin goes up and scores against Spring Creek’s Nathan Jackson on Friday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — Tray Harris had seen enough. After tending to an injured player, the Spring Creek varsity boys’ basketball coach made a difficult decision — one, he said, he doesn’t regret.
With five seconds left in the third period, Harris spoke briefly with athletic director Troy Smothers. Seconds later, Harris called the officials over to him and said “we’re done.”
A disappointed Nathan Jackson walked toward North Duplin’s players and began to shake hands. His teammates soon followed his lead and the teams headed toward their respective locker rooms.
The Rebels led 69-29, but will receive a forfeit since the game wasn’t completed, according to one referee.
“I called it because I refuse to let my players get hurt,” said Harris, who stayed in the referees’ ears about the physical play. “Our guys got knocked across the head numerous times, but we have a whole [conference] season left to play. We’re short in numbers already.
“I love my players too much not to protect them and protecting them is my number one goal. If anybody is hating me or the fans are hating me for the decision I made, I made it to protect the players.”
Two referees took pictures of the scorebook, which showed North Duplin with 20 fouls and Spring Creek with eight. The Gators attempted 26 free throws compared to 15 by the Rebels.
Two North Duplin players had four fouls.
“It wasn’t a flagrant foul … don’t think we did anything out of the way,” ND head coach Jeff Byrd said. “I’ve been trying to get our kids to play hard. We probably had more fouls called against us, to tell the truth. Our non-conference [schedule] has been kind of tough.
“I hope it helps us from here on out.”
The Rebels (4-7 overall) snapped a four-game skid and are scheduled to visit Spring Creek next Wednesday. The Gators (4-6) conclude a six-game road swing Tuesday at Hobbton.
