Veteran BlackHawks show resolve NBHS


By Matt Tate For more than three-fourths


of the second half Friday night (Dec. 17) against the defending Mountain Athletic Conference champions, North Buncombe found itself behind on the score- board. Coach David Rhoney said he


never saw panic in his players’ eyes. And their play never showed


any. Te BlackHawks outscored


the Titans 14-2 in the last 3:08 of the game, edging past Mc- Dowell 68-61. “Certainly it was a big win.


Te fact that it was on our floor was even bigger,” Rhoney said. Te coach said he told his


team before the game that he wanted to open the MAC por- tion of the schedule with the de- fending champions who had just lost one conference game in two seasons. McDowell held a 59-54 edge


late in the fourth quarter when Sam Rector, who led all scor- ers with 20 points, rattled off five points in a row to tie the game. One play later, Christian Bridges found Kyle Ward for a 3-pointer with 1:14 to go to give the BlackHawks a 62-59 edge, sending the BlackHawks’ home gym into a frenzy. After a turnover, officials


whistled McDowell’s Cedarius Avery for an intentional foul on Bridges, prompting Titans coach Lloyd Church into an up- roar and sealing the victory for the BlackHawks. Rhoney said having 10 seniors


helped the BlackHawks keep their poise down the stretch. “We have been in those situa-


tions,” he said. Te BlackHawks (9-0 overall,


2-0 in MAC before Wednesday’s matchup) now have several days off before entering the Smoky Mountain Tournament. In the girls’ game, a steady


diet of Madison Tomas and Tuccoa Brackett was too much for the BlackHawks to overcome as McDowell won 61-55. Jayde Ledbetter had 28 points


for the BlackHawks, including a driving layup with 2:30 to cut the deficit to 54-52. But Tomas countered with a


3-point play and a Brackett put- back on the next play extended the McDowell lead to seven with 1:30 to play. Haley Higgins added 10 points


for the BlackHawks (5-4, 1-1 before Wednesday’s matchup).


www.leicesterleader.com Jayde Ledbetter attempts a shot against the Titans. December 23 - December 29, 2010 - THE TRIBUNE/LEADER 9 Wellness, Solid Gold


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Christian Bridges drives against a McDowell defender.


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