Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010

Garner cruises into third round

GARNER - As Garner squared up against Scotland County in the second round of the 4-A state boys basketball playoffs, the Trojans saw a team that looked a lot like themselves.

The Fighting Scots, similar to the Trojans, had exceeded all expectations on a season that many thought would be a rebuilding one. Scotland County also possessed an effective inside-outside game that had caused its opponents trouble, much like the dynamic offense that Garner used to run away with the GNRC regular season and tournament crowns.

As it turned out, that’s where the similarities ended.

The poised Trojans ran away from the number two seed out of the Southeastern conference with a 75-51 win that catapults Garner into the sectional finals and a date at Wilmington New Hanover Friday night.

The Trojans took command of the game during a five-minute stretch that spanned from the final seconds of the first quarter into the second as they blitzed Scotland County with a devastating 14-0 run from which the Scots were never able to recover.

Garner (18-8) put in a business-like performance and received positive contributions from each Trojan that took the court. Garner was led by four players in double figures and a swarming defense that took the Scots out of their game.

Mo Covington, the senior sharpshooter who led the Scots with 22 points in a first round win over Fayetteville 71st (the Scots’ first playoff win in 10 years) was held to just three points.

The Trojans’ full court pressure proved to be too much for the Fighting Scots as Garner forced 21 Scotland County turnovers.

“They turned up the heat and we couldn’t step up to the challenge,” said Scotland County coach Mike Ritchie, commenting on the Garner defensive pressure. “They came out and they wore us out. If they maintain that same intensity (as they did) tonight, they’re going to have a chance to beat a lot of people.”

Doing most of the damage on the inside was Stephon Drane (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Dominique Reed (11 points, four blocks).

“We knew going into the game that we were going to have an advantage on the blocks and the big guys played good for us,” said Garner coach Eddie Gray. “We made a conscious effort to try to get the ball inside.

For the most part, we did a great job of drop stepping and scoring. That was real enjoyable to watch because that’s basketball.”

On the outside for Garner were the usual suspects Gavin Wilson, who led the team with 20 points, and Donald Johnson who poured in 18 of his own.

Scotland County (15-12) was led by Isaiah Robinson (17 points) and Dominique Clark (15 points).

“It’s team basketball and that’s what we stress here and when we do that, we got a pretty good ball club,” said Garner coach Eddie Gray. “This team has really overachieved and done a great job of turning their season around. And when you get on a little run, you never know.”

The “rebuilding” continues Friday night in Wilmington against New Hanover, who defeated Fayetteville Pine Forest 68-64 in overtime Wednesday night.