Greene Central Overcomes Slow Start, Uses Strong Fourth Quarter to Defeat North Pitt 64-60
Greene Central Overcomes Slow Start, Uses Strong Fourth Quarter to Defeat North Pitt 64-60
By: Jayden Willis
The Greene Central Rams hosted the North Pitt Panthers in a conference matchup between two teams looking to end their season on a high note. The Rams found themselves in an early hole due to a sluggish start but bounced back with a dominant fourth quarter. Led by the Avent twins, who scored the majority of the team's points down the stretch, Greene Central secured a crucial win.
“I was a little disappointed in the way we came out,” said head coach Blue Edwards. “We didn’t show the energy or hustle, and without those two things, basketball skill is nonexistent.”
Both teams struggled offensively at the start. While the Panthers eventually found their rhythm and capitalized on strong ball movement, the Rams remained stuck in an offensive slump. North Pitt took advantage, building a 13-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
“I reminded them in the locker room that they were full of energy while talking to each other,” Edwards said. “I told them to take that atmosphere and bring it onto the basketball court.”
North Pitt carried its momentum into the second quarter, using an aggressive press defense to extend the lead into double digits early on. However, Greene Central responded with a run of its own, applying defensive pressure that forced turnovers and led to easy fast-break points. By halftime, the Rams had cut the deficit to just one point, 27-26.
“I told them that quarter is over, that half is over,” Edwards said. “It’s about what we do in the third and fourth quarters.”
The third quarter set the stage for a back-and-forth battle. Greene Central came out strong, taking its first lead of the game, but North Pitt quickly responded to regain momentum. Two thunderous dunks by junior forward Dietrich Williams swung the energy back in the Rams' favor, helping them maintain a 44-42 lead heading into the final quarter.
“I think we found our poise and control,” Edwards said. “Once we decided to hold the ball and take our time, we were able to get good shots.”
The fourth quarter remained tightly contested, with multiple lead changes and neither team gaining more than a five-point advantage. North Pitt continued to rely on its ball movement to keep pace, but the Avent twins, Nick and Sam, took over for the Rams. Their playmaking and scoring proved to be the difference as Greene Central hit its free throws down the stretch to seal a 64-60 victory.
“We want to close out the season strong,” Edwards said. “We have five games left, and we’re trying to go 5-0.”
With the win, Greene Central improves to 8-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The Rams will look to keep their momentum going in their next matchup against Ayden-Grifton. Meanwhile, North Pitt falls to 4-14 overall and 1-6 in the conference. The Panthers will aim for their second league win of the season when they face Southwest Edgecombe.
