Greene Central Shines in 87-67 Win Over West Craven
Greene Central Dominates West Craven, 87-67, in Statement Win
SNOW HILL – After a tough road loss to Washington earlier in the week, the Greene Central Rams bounced back in commanding fashion with an 87-67 victory over West Craven on Thursday night. The win marks Greene Central’s third victory in their last four games, improving their season record to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The Rams' 87 points are their highest single-game total since the 2022-23 season, when they defeated Southwest Edgecombe 88-54. Thursday’s home victory showcased a balanced offensive attack and a defensive effort that left no room for West Craven to rally.
Sutton Leads the Charge
Jalin Sutton was a dominant force for the Rams, delivering a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while shooting an efficient 7-for-10 from the field. The senior big man credited his performance to staying disciplined and following the game plan.
“I just listened to Coach [Blue],” Sutton said. “He tells me to grab rebounds, hustle down the court, play defense, and finish in the paint. I just do what he says.”
When asked what fueled his success on the night, Sutton added, “Making all my layups, all my free throws, and just doing what I’m supposed to do.”
Rams’ Offense Fires on All Cylinders
Greene Central’s offense was in sync throughout the game, shooting a scorching 62% from the field (32-for-54). Point guard Dontrez Evans chipped in 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while DJ Williams and Nick Avent added 11 and 12 points, respectively, with both shooting over 70% from the floor. Josh Cetnar contributed 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, providing valuable contributions on both ends of the court.
DJ Williams emphasized how important it was for the team to close out games with authority.
“It feels real good,” Williams said. “We’ve been struggling to execute lately. On varsity, it’s hard to pull away from teams, so it feels good to get those 20-point leads.”
Next Challenge: Rivalry Matchup with Farmville Central
With three wins in their last four games, the Rams appear to be gaining momentum at a crucial point in the season. Williams acknowledged the team’s progress but stressed the need for continued focus on the fundamentals.
“We just gotta do the small things,” Williams said. “We have the team for a good season, we just gotta focus on the little things, and we’ll be there.”
The Rams will face their biggest test yet next Friday when they host conference rival and first-place Farmville Central. The matchup will be pivotal in shaping the conference standings and will test whether Greene Central can sustain their recent success against elite competition.
Final Thoughts
Coach Blue’s squad showed glimpses of their potential with Thursday’s dominant performance, particularly on the offensive end. If the Rams can carry this momentum into next week’s rivalry game, they could position themselves as serious contenders in conference play. For now, Greene Central fans have plenty to celebrate as the team looks to keep climbing the standings.
