Case leads Warriors to win over Hawks

By Junious Smith III

ENCMoments.com

GOLDSBORO — North Lenoir and Eastern Wayne split a pair of routs in varsity Thursday.

In the boys’ game, the Warriors used a late first-half run on the way to an 89-71 victory. Eastern Wayne (7-9) trailed for just 10 seconds in the match on the way to a victory over North Lenoir (4-12), as the Hawks dropped their third game this week.

“We just played Eastern Wayne basketball,” Warriors guard Wesley Case said after pouring in a game-high 26 points. “We’ve had a tough schedule, so we’ve been a little down early, but we’re getting back into our style of play so we can make a run in our conference.”

Brandon Brooks scored the game’s first basket for the Hawks, but Devin Brown countered 10 seconds later. A 3-point play from Trevor Sears later tied the game at 5, but Eastern Wayne went on a quick 6-0 run, highlighted by a Case slam. Eastern Wayne pushed the advantage to nine heading into the second and although Nick Wooten’s 3-point play with 3:10 left in the frame brought the Hawks within 35-29, Eastern Wayne went on a 6-0 run and eventually took a 45-32 lead into the break.

Case scored 16 points in the first half and Brown did his damage inside for 10.

“I just boxed out and jumped at the right times, playing my game,” Brown said.

Eastern Wayne started the third quarter on an 8-0 run and never looked back. North Lenoir wouldn’t get within 17 throughout the second half.

The Hawks face Greene Central on the road Friday.

EASTERN WAYNE 89, NORTH LENOIR 71

NL           20           12           16           23 — 71

EW         27           18           25           19 — 89

NORTH LENOIR — Ny’Jai Koonce 22, Jamir Jones-Gatling 11, Brooks 9, Hawkins 8, Wooten 5, Sears 5, Brown 4, Hall 3, Drake 2, Hill 2

EASTERN WAYNE — Wesley Case 26, Devin Brown 12, Best 9, Wright 8, Howard 8, Murray 7, A. Brown 6, Hardy 6, Vaughn 2, Moore 2, Silvestri 2, Thomas 1  

In the girls’ game, North Lenoir never trailed in a 60-13 victory.

“It’s just hard work and dedication in practice,” the Hawks’ Janiya Jones said. “When we get to the game, we know what we’re supposed to do.”

The Hawks (12-3) started the game on a 15-0 run and used suffocating defense to keep the momentum going. The Warriors (2-14) hit just 2 of 21 from the field with 18 turnovers as North Lenoir went up 33-4 at halftime.

Kanijah Taylor hit two free throws with 5:09 remaining in the third to set up the running clock for the Hawks, who went up 45-4. North Lenoir led by as many as 51 from there.

NORTH LENOIR 60, EASTERN WAYNE 13

NL           20           13           22           5 — 60

EW         2              2              0              9 — 13

NORTH LENOIR — Integrity McPhail 15, Ashanti Lynch 13, Kanijah Taylor 13, Jones 6, E. Lynch 6, Copper 3, Zayyad 2, Sutton 2

EASTERN WAYNE — Henderson 3, Jennette 3, Exum 2, Jones 2, Smith 2, Marcy 1