East edges Louisburg

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 7, 2007

CREEKSVILLE – Northampton-East ran the floor in the second half as they held off Louisburg for a 57-48 victory.

East took an early 7-4 lead, but Rasool Kearny scored consecutive baskets to pull Lousiburg ahead by one (8-7).

The Rams then went on a 13-point scoring run that started in the first and went into the second quarter as they took a 20-8 lead.

Two treys from Randy Lassiter cut the Rams lead to six (20-14).

A James Jefferson free throw and bucket sandwiched a Kearny basket.

Louisburg scored eight unanswered points, including two Lee Person foul shots with no time on the clock, to take a 24-23 lead at the half.

The Rams struggled to protect the ball in the second, turning it over seven times.

East started the second half with a 10-point scoring run. Josh Reddish stole the ball in the backcourt, faked the pass and took it to the hoop for two Rams points.

Lamar Philips took another steal coast-to-coast for two.

James Long scored after grabbing an offensive rebound but it was Reddish’s dunk that brought the sparse crowd to life.

Derryel Anderson’s basket gave East a 31-24 advantage.

Dominique Perry sank two free throws and Lassiter hit a bucket to pull Louisburg within five (33-28).

Phillips threaded the defense for two.

With an eight-point lead East coach Donald Gibbs pulled all but one starter with 1:03 left in the quarter.

Person sank the first of two Louisburg foul shots but was answered by an Anderson basket.

Lassiter hit a three at the buzzer to pull Louisburg within five (37-32).

Two Person foul shots pulled the Warriors within three (41-38) with 4:04 on the clock.

Jefferson scored three baskets and Phillips converted a three-point play to extend the Rams lead to 12 (50-38).

Louisburg couldn’t overcome the deficit and fell, 57-48.

Jefferson led the Rams with 16 points and 23 boards.

Phillips added 15 points in the victory.

East (57):

James Jefferson n 16, Lamar Phillips n 15, J. Reddish n 9, D. Anderson n 9, J. Long n 6, Q. Shoulars n 2

Louisburg (48):

Randy Lassiter n 21, R. Kearny n 12, L. Person n 7, D. Perry n 3, H. Perry n 3, H. Strickland – 2