Hawks steamroll Pirates in big Two Rivers 3A matchup

Triton @ Corinth Holders

The Triton Hawks (12-9, 7-0 Two Rivers 3A) gained sole control of the Two Rivers 3A conference following their 54-42 win over Corinth Holders (6-12, 4-3 in Two Rivers 3A). The Hawks came out hot while the Pirates, not so much. Triton built a big 30-11 halftime lead to help down Corinth Holders and to put themselves in the driver's seat to win the conference. The Pirates 10 first half fouls and just as many, if not more turnovers coming off mental mistakes and that is where the Hawks went on the big tear to push the ballgame out of reach for Corinth Holders. Byron Massey led to Hawks with 16 points. He also added three rebounds and three assist while going 4/5 from the free throw line on the evening. Also leading the Hawks were starting forwards Shiquan Cox and Christion Green. Cox had 11 points while Green added 10 while hauling in eight boards. As for the Pirates who struggled to get going on their home floor, sophomore Cameron Walden found a way to get things going on the offensive end having 10 points and four boards. Starting forward Johnavan Neal couldn't get the ball in the basket but did grab 14 rebounds for the Pirates. A feel good moment came for the home crowd in Wendell as the third quarter buzzer sounder. Junior wing, Warren Ramsey popped a deep three at the horn to cap off the Pirates 18 point third quarter. To add to that big third, the Pirates only held the Hawks to seven points in the frame. As the Hawks furthered their lead, DeMorris Lee crossed over Da'John Williams around half court to send the Pirate faithful a roar with 3:41 remaining in the contest. The Hawks took one step closer to winning the conference after tonight's victory as they only have South Johnston and rival, Western Harnett remaining on the road while a date with Smithfield-Selma coming at home next week. As for Coach Davis' Pirates, they will look to bounce back as they travel to Lillington Friday to take on the Eagles of Western Harnett as they look to avenge their 75-59 loss from Jan. 11. 

Zachary Adams

Twitter ~ @zadams01

Lee's 20 point night leads the Pirates to victory

Corinth Holders @ Smithfield-Selma

The Pirates stepped back on the hardwood following a week layoff to face county foe, Smithfield-Selma (8-11, 2-3 Two Rivers 3A). The Pirates (6-11, 4-2 Two Rivers 3A) won this 2nd meeting between the schools, 62-58. Seniors DeMorris Lee (20 points, 12 in the first half) and Brian Frazier (17 points, 6/7 from the free throw line) combined for 37 points to help the Pirates down the Spartans. Smithfield-Selma was led by senior Josh Raiford, who had 19. Raiford was in foul trouble all night. 4 fouls were called on the senior, including his fifth and final foul coming in crunch time where Corinth Holders finished the game strong, going 7 of 8 from the free throw line in the final frame. Sophomore Anthony Council also chipped in 12 points and senior Rashad Potts had 10. A 24 point fourth quarter had the Spartan faithful on edge at a possible victory as TJ Altman drained three big triples in the final 30 seconds of the contest to bring his scoring total to 13 for the Spartans but that just wasn't enough to trump Corinth's foul shooting as they shot 65% from the line on the evening. The Pirates locked up a big Two Rivers 3A conference victory tonight to gain sole possession of second place in the conference. The Pirates have two big conference games coming this week that will tell a whole lot about the heart of this team. Tuesday, Two Rivers 3A leader, Triton, comes to Wendell to face the Pirates as Corinth Holders looks to avenge their 70-50 loss to the Hawks that they took in Erwin Jan. 5. After one game in Wendell, the Pirates will hit the road once more and head down to Lillington to face Western Harnett who beat the Pirates in Wendell 75-59 on Jan. 11. 

Zachary Adams

Twitter ~ @zadams01

26 point 4th gives the Pirates the win over rival Cleveland

Corinth Holders @ Cleveland

Many students are coming off completing exams in Johnston County and the athletes were ready to take the floor. Tonight, the Corinth Holders Pirates (5-11, 3-2 in Two Rivers 3A) took the near 30-minute drive to visit a conference foe, the Cleveland Rams (5-14, 0-5 in Two Rivers 3A). Both schools opened up in 2010 so regardless of conference, it's a rivalry game in Johnston County. The Pirates outscored the Rams 26-14 in the fourth quarter to stun the Rams, 52-49. Cleveland and the rest of the "Ram Fam" in attendance thought Cleveland would pick up their first conference win over the Pirates after beginning the third quarter on a 17-5 run but Coach Chris Davis and the Pirates had other ideas. Trey Adams, the Pirates' starting center, led the Pirates with 15 points, including 9 of which came in the fourth quarter where the Pirates came back to seal the deal. Starting power forward Johnavan Neal and shooting guard DeMorris Lee helped Adams with the scoring as Neal had 10 and Lee finished with nine. As for the Rams, freshman Elisha Hayes led things scoring wise finishing with 13. Ole Miss baseball commit, Tyler Keenan and fellow senior Garrett Davenport both shot the 3 ball well combining to knock down a combined five triples. The Pirates and Rams both will take the floor once again in one week, Jan. 27. on the road. Corinth Holders will start "Round 2" of Conference play heading to Smithfield-Selma to face the Spartans, who the Pirates took down 61-45 in Wendell on January 3rd. The Rams on the other hand, travel to Two Rivers 3A Conference leader, the Triton Hawks next Friday in Erwin. The Hawks beat Cleveland by 10, 46-36 also on Jan. 3.

Zachary Adams

@zadams01 ~ Twitter