Balanced scoring leads Rolesville girls and guys past Corinth Holders

By: Zack Adams

2/6/18

WENDELL -- Both varsity games weren't the prettiest but Rolesvile came out with victories in both contests over Corinth Holders, on the Pirates "Senior Night". Rolesville also swept Corinth back on Jan. 10 when the sides met at Rolesville High so with tonight's victories, that completes the season sweep of Corinth Holders for the Rams.

GBB: Rolesville vs Corinth Holders
The tale of the first half in this one was definitely whistles. The three officials combined to hit both sides with a combined, 19 personal fouls in the opening 16 minutes. 12 of those 19 fouls came in the opening quarter. Rolesville (13-10, 4-5) ended up winning this one, 46-27 over Corinth Holders (5-17, 0-8).

Balanced scoring way definitely key for Clinton Williams' Lady Rams. After not finding a three point rhythm in this meeting with Corinth Holders (made eight in Jan. 10 meeting), Rolesville depended on high percentage shots as they only hit four threes Tuesday. Arianna Hopkins and Crystin Williams each had nine points to lead the Lady Rams. Anderson University commit Valencia Carroll added eight, five of which came in the fourth. Kashara Williams also got in on the scoring as she finished with seven.

The Lady Rams' press really caused havoc for Corinth Holders. Rolesville scored a majority of their points (that didn't come at the foul line) off of turnovers. Ball protection has been a real issue for Corinth Holders throughout NAC-6 play and it was evident Tuesday.

Lamaya Miles had a team-high, eight points for Corinth Holders. To help Miles, Deonna Adams scored seven points that all came in the final quarter.

Tuesday's victory for Rolesville snapped a four game losing skid and was huge for the team, especially coming off a 77-24 thrashing Monday against #2 Heritage.

MBB: Rolesville vs Corinth Holders
Rolesville (14-8, 5-4) picked up a much needed road win Tuesday night over Corinth Holders (5-16, 1-7), 45-36 to spoil the Pirates "Senior Night". Like the girls game, very sloppy victory but no matter what, a win's a win so you'll take it if you're a Ram supporter.

Junior Jordan Cooper has taken up the starting point guard role nicely. The Rams were without Jaylin Parker last night against Heritage and tonight against Corinth Holders. Cooper posted 12 points and three dimes Monday against Heritage. Make that 14 points per game on average in two games as tonight, the junior scored 16 points on 60% shooting from three (3/5). Cooper knocked down two well contested jumpers from the elbow in the second quarter with Pirates guard Tanner Smith all over him. You knew when those two went down, Cooper was on the way to a special evening.

Corinth Holders has held Ricky Clemons to his season lows in scoring in games that he has started. Clemons only scored six points against Knightdale back on Jan. 30 but only played the third and fourth quarters. On Jan. 10 and tonight, Clemons was held to just 13 points. Clemons added four points and three assists to go along with those 13. He also shot 4/7 from the foul line. Fellow senior, Dominique "Dom" Johnson  also "showed out" Tuesday. Johnson scored just eight points but grabbed 13 rebounds.

Tanner Smith had 10 to lead Corinth Holders. The sophomore shot a perfect 5/5 from the foul line Tuesday. Cameron Walden had eight points and eight rebounds while seniors Warren Ramsey and Dylan Corbett had five a piece. Zack Brewster did not score but filled the stat sheet everywhere else for Coach Davis and the Pirates. Brewster grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and totaled four blocks. Big time "Senior Night" for Corinth's 6'5" forward.

Defense, as opposed to offense, has been Corinth Holders' strength all season. In NAC-6 play, the Pirates are averaging just 58.9 points per game against some of the best competition in the state of North Carolina, or the "Hoop State". The Corinth offense is not so hot. Corinth is now averaging just 42.5 points per game in NAC-6 play and that near 16 point difference obviously just will not win you games at this high level on competition that the Northern Athletic Conference presents.

Shooting is a vast reason for the struggle on offense. For example, against Rolesville this season (in two games of course), Corinth Holders shot 4/38. For those who cannot do that math mentally, that is 10.5% against coach Tommy Moore and his Rams. Very porous job from three point land from Corinth Holders against the Rams and shooting 16.6% like they did tonight from three (3/18), just does not spell out victories in a conference of this caliber.

Corinth Holders will host Knightdale (#19 girls, #22 boys) tomorrow night. Rolesville will host Heritage on Friday (#2 girls, #6 boys). The girls' contest in those are set to tip at 6:30 followed by the boys at 8:00.