Spring Creek celebrated senior night Friday evening at “The Swamp.” From left are Emily Williams, Aaliyah Kornegay, Justin Raiford, Vanessa Duruttya, Madison Plummer and Gracie Dickerson. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Relatives show their support for Spring Creek senior Justin Raiford before tip-off against Princeton. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Brennan Chambers (5) takes a shot between Princeton’s Cole Woodall, left, and Andrew Hester, right, during their Carolina 1A game Friday evening at “The Swamp.” (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Kam McDaniel gets fouled by Princeton’s Jakeir Ward. McDaniel scored and drained the free throw to cap the traditional three-point play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Justin Raiford looks for an open teammate on the baseline. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Nathan Jackson scores against Princeton. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — A winnable ballgame slipped from Spring Creek’s claws after halftime Friday evening.
Princeton started strong offensively in the third quarter, weathered a late rally and escaped “The Swamp” with a 76-68 victory on the Carolina 1A boys’ basketball scene.
Defense and rebounding factored into the outcome.
The Bulldogs caught the Gators standing around and consistently chased down loose-ball rebounds. Those extra scoring opportunities helped turn a four-point halftime margin into a double-digit cushion, 49-39, barely four minutes into the third quarter.
“We gave up a lot of second-chance shots due to lack of defense,” first-year SC head coach Tray Harris said. “I was trying to tell them to play over the top. With their shooters, you can’t play [under the screen]. You have to go over the top when they attack you, keep your head on a swivel.”
Princeton led 57-46 after three periods.
Garrett Lane swished back-to-back 3-pointers and DeNicholas Gray split the defense for a layup to start the fourth. Lane’s baskets came courtesy of offensive rebounds. Gray’s bucket occurred off a turnover.
SC trailed 65-47.
“Just not boxing out,” Harris said.
The Gators started hunting on offense from there.
Kam McDaniel and Brennan Chambers spearheaded a 16-3 run that lasted for three-plus minutes. Chambers picked up a loose ball, scored and shaved the Dogs’ deficit to 68-63 with 2:14 left in regulation.
Harris’ team was assessed a technical foul after the play.
Princeton failed to capitalize – it missed two free throws and Chambers picked off the ensuing inbounds pass. His dunk further ignited the Gator faithful, who shouted “de-fense.”
Gray hit two free throws.
Down 70-65, Spring Creek put the ball in play and seemed out of sorts on offense. Harris screamed for a timeout just a second before the Gators turned the ball over and Princeton drew a foul.
“Big back breaker,” Harris said. “It’s a five-point game … two possession game right there, pretty much. We had a chance to cut into the lead … just didn’t do it.”
McDaniel and Chambers provided 22 and 21 points for the Gators. Jackson Rose chipped in 11 points. Nathan Jackson and Justin Raiford, the team’s lone senior, tallied six points apiece.
The Gators (6-13 overall, 0-7 Neuse Six 2A) hit the road Tuesday at Goldsboro. One day later, they’re the guests of North Johnston. Regular-season play ends Thursday at Beddingfield.
