Published: 12:23 AM, Sat Jan 16, 2010
Seventy-First soars to big win over South View
Seventy-First girls stop South View
HOPE MILLS - If Seventy-First girls coach Tracie Taylor's main concern is developing depth this season, the starters made sure the backups saw plenty of time Friday night.
The Falcons' offense exploded in the second quarter, allowing the bench to close out a key Mid-South 4-A Conference victory in South View's gym, 87-58. Seventy-First moved into a tie with the Tigers for second place in the conference.
"I actually didn't expect us to be 13-2 (overall)," said Taylor, whose squad is 4-1 in the Mid-South. "I'm really pleased - not surprised - but really pleased because I didn't think we'd get out this well this season."
In a game between the best offense and best defense in Cumberland County, the best offense won thanks to its rebounding ability. The Falcons won the rebounding battle 41-26, getting double-doubles from Diona Curtis (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Carolyn Smith (11 points, 11 rebounds).
Ten of those boards came in a one-sided second quarter that saw South View (12-4, 4-1) grab only three rebounds and commit 15 turnovers. This fueled a 25-6 Seventy-First run that left it with a comfortable 51-23 halftime lead.
"We were just playing like us," Diona Curtis said. "We were motivated, making good passes and taking good shots."
The second half played out pretty close with both squads emptying their benches. Many of the Falcons made their bids to see more time in Taylor's rotations with eight different players scoring in the fourth quarter.
Dasnii Curtis, Diona's older sister, led all scorers with 25 points - 18 of which came before halftime. Teammate Simone Ewers chipped in 13 to round out the Seventy-First players in double figures.
Ciara Morris recorded 13 points in the second half to lead the Tigers with 15 points and six rebounds. Teammate Alya Shaw chipped in 11 points, but it wasn't enough to make up for 3-for-9 shooting from the field in that second quarter.
South View coach Brent Barker took the loss well since his team is rebuilding after losing two players to Division I programs last year. The squad has only five seniors on a roster that includes five sophomores and two freshmen.
"We're still a team that's missing a lot of pieces to the puzzle, even though it's the midseason," Barker said.
Staff writer Paul Shugar can be reached at shugarp@fayobserver.com or 486-3513.Seventy-First 87, South View 58
Seventy-First
26
25
15
21-87
South View
17
6
15
20-58
SEVENTY-FIRST - Jamerson 6, Galbreath 2, Melvin 0, Dasnii Curtis 25, Sharp 2, Jacobs 3, Simone Ewers 13, Carolyn Smith 11, Munn 5, Diona Curtis 20.
SOUTH VIEW - Girardeau 3, Temple 8, Herring-Dotson 4, Wright 8, Alya Shaw 11, Ciara Morris 15, Wilson 0, Brown 2, Madison 1, Knowles 1, Cheadle 6.
Fouled out: None
Technical fouls: None
3-point goals: SF - Da. Curtis 1, Jacobs 1, Ewers 1, Munn 1. SV - Wright 1, Shaw 2, Morris 1.
Highlights: SF - Smith 11 rebounds, Di. Curtis 12 rebounds. SV - Morris 6 rebounds.
Records: Seventy-First 13-2, 4-1; South View 12-4, 4-1.