North Lenoir’s Kasheena Lynch (24) nearly bowls over Spring Creek center Heather Alexander on her way to the basket Tuesday evening. Defending on the play are the Gators’ Trinity Daniels (12) and Sarah Hess (2). Lynch turned the ball over. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek’s Darius “DJ” Deal blocks a shot from behind by North Lenoir’s Damian Gooding during first-half action Tuesday evening in “The Swamp.” (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS – It’s just three colors — green, blue and white.
But that darn, frustrating Rubik’s cube … well … Spring Creek’s basketball team remains a puzzle for newly-minted head boys’ coach Raytrell Caldwell.
Two games into the season, Caldwell still seeks the right combination that will create some cohesiveness and chemistry on the hardwood.
“We had some players play the first game that didn’t play the second game, and some guys who played this game that didn’t play the first game,” Caldwell said after a 66-46, non-conference loss to North Lenoir in “The Swamp” on Tuesday evening.
“We’re kind of like a Rubik’s cube right now. We know what we’re capable of as far as our defense, what we’re capable of as far as our offense. Once we match all the colors to the Rubik’s cube, it will be a sealed deal.”
Meanwhile, Spring Creek’s girls exacted a little revenge.
Minus a key component in their previous meeting, the Gators grounded the Hawks, 57-40. The double-digit romp erased the memory of a season-opening, road loss inside Wooten Gym seven days ago.
Boys
Spring Creek started in disastrous fashion.
The Gators shot 0-for-10 from the floor, committed careless turnovers and failed to defend the defensive glass. Jackson Rose, Kam McDaniel and Darius “DJ” Deal drained one free throw apiece.
NL led 10-3 after eight minutes.
“We couldn’t find an offensive rhythm,” Caldwell said. “The defense was there. I think once they see shots fall in, easy shots, then everything will just fall into play, gain some momentum, confidence. That was a tough first quarter.”
The Hawks led 30-21 at halftime.
Rose converted an open-court layup to start the third quarter. However, the Gators would get no closer.
North Lenoir answered with a momentum-killing, 13-1 run that included six points off the offensive glass.
“Just go out there, don’t look at the points, just focus on making buckets and everything will come,” Caldwell said to his team at halftime. “Just keep playing defense. The boys just got wore out … wasn’t so much conditioning, just more mental. We’ve just got to play basketball.”
Deal paced three Gators in double figures with 14 points. Rose knocked down 12, while Brennan Chambers contributed 11. McDaniel finished with five.
Anton Black scored 16 for the Hawks.
Girls
Three Gators posted double-doubles during a physical and turnover-filled affair.
Senior center Heather Alexander pumped in 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Trinity Daniels, who missed the first meeting with Hawks, collected 13 points and 13 rebounds. Natalie Jackson logged 10 points and 13 rebounds, including 11 caroms on the defensive end.
SC snagged 52 rebounds as a team.
The Gators led 25-18 at halftime and extended the margin to 47-31 after three periods.
Alexander and Jackson combined to block seven shots.
Spring Creek (1-1 overall) is scheduled to entertain North Duplin next Thursday. The JV boys tip off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls.
There may not be a varsity boys game if North Duplin advances in the NC High School Athletic Association Class 1A football playoffs.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
