Goldsboro’s Aziyah Boyer (with ball) is surrounded by a pack of Southern Wayne defenders during first-period action Friday evening in Dudley. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Azariah Jordan, left, blocks a shot attempt by Goldsboro’s Nierreh Smith. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Get better.
Understand the game.
That’s the approach Southern Wayne head girls’ basketball coach Ricky Lofton is taking this season – both in practice and ‘live’ play.
“They play hard for me and that’s all I can ask,” said Lofton after a 54-33 loss to county powerhouse Goldsboro High on Friday evening. “I have seen growth since the first time we played them [Goldsboro] and even the second game [against Wayne Prep].
“Our bigs are getting better because we’ve got to have some help in the paint. That’s our biggest problem right now … don’t have somebody who can score in the middle. They’re always going to key on [Nevaeh] Hines.”
Lofton referred to Hines-Bass — his floor general who consistently sees either two or three opponents in her face each time she touches the ball. The senior knocked down 14 points, including seven at the free throw line.
Hines-Bass’ first basket inside the 3-point arc came off an assist from Azariah Jordan. Her basket snapped a seven-minute scoring drought that included 12 missed field goals and six turnovers.
Goldsboro led 12-0 before Bass’ make.
Southern Wayne (0-3 overall) woke up offensively in the second quarter. Bass tallied nine points on two 3-pointers and three free throws. Sophomore Destiny Bullock drained a 3-pointer, which closed the Cougars’ gap to 22-18.
“We got back in [the game] by scrapping [and] they turned the ball over,” Lofton said. “We made some plays. We pressed them at times, even though that kills Hines, but that’s what what we feed off [offensively].
“We don’t have great shooters.”
SW trailed 28-20 at the break.
The Cougars (6-1) regained command behind Amiyah Ford, who converted four consecutive shots during a 12-0 run. Lofton burned a timeout with his team down 40-20 at the 4:48 mark.
The Saints never recovered.
“I’m very proud of them,” Lofton said of the effort. “We’re getting there … take it one step by step and by the conference [season], we’ll be better. We have not been on the floor enough.
“Sometimes winning don’t mean everything, but I see the growth in them. We’re getting better.”
Southern Wayne is scheduled to play Tuesday at East Central 2A member James Kenan. Tip-off is 6 p.m. inside Harmon Gymnasium in Warsaw.
You may reach Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
