North Duplin’s Lilly Fulghum avoids falling on top of Roxboro Community’s Katie Mann after forcing a first-quarter jump ball Tuesday evening. Watching from behind is teammate Tateyawna Faison. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Reece Outlaw dribbles past Roxboro Community defender Katie Mann, who tried to trap her at midcourt. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Addy Higginbotham plays defense against Roxboro Community point guard Katie Mann during second-half action. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Abigeal Brown scores against Roxboro Community’s Faith Bailey. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Tateyawna Faison and Meghan Martin battle Roxboro Community’s Karrie Obie for a rebound during first-period play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Addy Higginbotham gets fouled by Roxboro Community during first-quarter play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Reece Outlaw looks for an open teammate while Roxboro Community’s Kaylie Newton defends on the play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Lilly Fulghum cashes in a layup against Roxboro Community. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Meghan Martin, left, battles for rebound position with Roxboro Community’s Kaylyn Pope on a free throw attempt. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com
North Duplin junior guard Addy Higginbotham chases after a loose ball and eventually scores a layup against Roxboro Community. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — You’ve heard of the Bates Motel from the cult movie classic “Psycho” where guests check in, but they don’t check out?
The same can be said for North Duplin’s gym.
Over the past three seasons, 34 opponents have ventured into the half-century old facility and just one has emerged unscathed.
Roxboro Community was the latest victim Tuesday evening.
The Rebels overcame some early jitters, settled down defensively and cruised to a 62-41 victory in opening-round action of the NC High School Athletic Association Class 1A girls’ basketball playoffs.
North Duplin (18-7 overall) continues play Friday at East Columbus.
“We had to go at them like little gnats, get in their face, do what we do which is play fast … just play our game,” senior guard Reece Outlaw said.
The teams engaged in a back-and-forth affair early.
Neither team managed more than a two-possession lead. The Rebels attempted to score in transition, while Roxboro Community’s Karrie Obie cashed in on the offensive glass.
North Duplin eventually pulled away.
Foul trouble plagued the Bulldogs, who found themselves down 30-18 seconds before halftime. McKenzie Cobb converted her lone basket — a 3-pointer that got a kind bounce as the buzzer sounded.
“We were kind of skittish there at the beginning because we had never seen them and didn’t know what to do,” ND head coach John Oliver said. “We didn’t know how to pressure the ball. Once we got used to it and got into our flow, everything began to work.”
North Duplin’s season-long calling card — in-your-face ball pressure — proved decisive in the third period. Though the Bulldogs stayed close, they eventually fell victim to turnovers that fueled North Duplin’s offense.
The miscues led to either transition baskets or free throws when the Rebels snagged offensive rebounds. An eight-point lead ballooned to 50-31 after three quarters.
Roxboro Community experienced a 19-minute scoring drought before Obie scored on an offensive putback. By then, the outcome had been determined as North Duplin collected its third consecutive first-round playoff win.
“Our defense played well,” said Oliver, whose team collected 23 steals. “I think our offense played well. I could get on them about rebounding and blocking out because they didn’t do that well, but everything else I’m really pleased with.”
Outlaw provided 22 points, nine steals and five rebounds. Point guard Addy Higginbotham collected 18 points, five assists and three rebounds. Tateyawna Faison stuffed her stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.
Meghan Martin scored just two baskets, but asserted herself down low and pulled down nine rebounds. Lilly Fulghum picked up six rebounds and picked the Bulldogs for four steals.
Abigeal Brown added four points and three rebounds.
“I’m glad we got out of the first round, but I wish we had another game here,” said Oliver, whose team is 12-0 at home this season.
