WCDS boys’ complete double-digit comeback, Charger girls’ outlast Greenfield
3 min read
In yet another classic between two great NCISAA rivals, it was Wayne Country Day who prevailed in both basketball matchups over Greenfield.
After trailing by double digits for most of the first half, the Chargers came back to take down the Knights, 81-79 in Goldsboro Friday. The road team had the upper hand early thanks to the play of their big three: junior Aaron Murphy (33 points) and the freshman pair of Hampton Evans and Jordan Vick.
Thanks to their stellar play and some timely baskets, the Knights (5-3, 0-1) held a 48-38 advantage at halftime. The Chargers had to deal with starting forward Vante Hutcherson getting injured early in the game, but he returned to play a big role later on.
Meanwhile, the hosts wouldn’t go away thanks to a great performance from guard Mike Best Jr. The junior led WCDS with 27 points and most of those came in the second half. As the game went on, it got chippy on both sides as rivalry games between these two normally are.
Junior forward D’Andre Ervin sparked the team with several offensive rebound putbacks in the third quarter to bring his team closer. A jumpshot from Best tied the game and from there it was a fight to the finish.
Murphy continued to spark the offense for Greenfield en route to a 33-point outburst. Hutcherson provided an answer with a couple of three-point plays to give WCDS (11-1, 3-0 CPIC) the advantage. Carlos Raven had some big buckets in the fourth quarter along with Jaden and Jordan Cooper. Despite Ervin fouling out with six minutes left, junior forward Jack Cole stepped in and played big minutes.
In the end, Evans had a chance to take the lead with a three in the final seconds, but it fell short and the rebound fell to Hutcherson with 14 seconds left. After a WCDS timeout, Jordan Cooper hit the senior forward with a home run pass that led to an emphatic dunk to put the Chargers up three with eight seconds remaining.
However, the home team bench got called for a technical foul due to their celebration while Hutcherson got injured again. Greenfield picked Cole to shoot the free throw, which he missed. Murphy split the technical free throws giving the Knights one last chance to tie or win it. Evans couldn’t connect on a three, Raven hit one out of two foul shots at the other end, and the desperation attempt from Greenfield fell short.
In the girls game, stifling Chargers defense helped them extend their winning streak to three games. WCDS hung on to take down Greenfield, 49-40 thanks to the great play of sophomore forward Jordan Whitney. Whenever the Knights made a run, it was her that provided a lot of offensive rebounds which led to second chance points.
The Chargers (6-5, 2-1) led by as many as 17 in the second half before Serenity McNair began to catch fire from three for the Knights. Greenfield (1-2, 0-1) was able to get within single digits a couple of times, but they weren’t able to get any closer than seven points.
These two rivals are scheduled to meet again in Wilson Friday, February 5th. WCDS hosts Coastal Christian in their next contest this Thursday in Goldsboro.
