Published: 12:15 AM, Fri Mar 05, 2010
Bulldogs return to Greenville for their third straight regional
Forgive Terry Sanford boys' basketball coach Bill Boyette if he considers East Carolina University's Minges Coliseum a second homecourt for his team. But since the Bulldogs are making a third consecutive trip to Greenville tonight for the 4-A Eastern Regional tournament, it's easy to see why Boyette feels that way.
Terry Sanford, defending Eastern 4-A champion, opens defense of its title tonight in a 7 o'clock game at Minges against Wilmington New Hanover. Terry Sanford is 29-0 entering the game, New Hanover 20-7.
"They know what it takes to be successful,'' Boyette said of his veteran team. "They're used to this atmosphere. They've seen the facility. They're not going to walk in there in awe.''
But they will arrive with a healthy respect for a New Hanover team led by a couple of high-scoring big men. Center Cole Daley, 6-foot-7, averages 17.7 points per game while 6-5 forward Detwon Rogers averages 15.3.
Also scoring in double figures is 6-2 guard Freddie Jackson at 14.0 points per game.
"What's special about these kids is how hard they work,'' Boyette said. "Both have good post moves and hit the glass hard. That will be a big challenge for us in the frontcourt to try and shut them down with our defense.''
After playing three games in five days in last week's sectional, Boyette feels the Bulldogs got a perfect time for a break when they were given a week off between the sectional finals and tonight's first-round regional game.
"You're always concerned with legs at this time of year,'' Boyette said. "We're also getting ready to go to a 94-foot court at Minges Coliseum. That's a little bit different than we're accustomed to.''
Boyette's Bulldogs were already scheduled to have Tuesday off this week when snow forced cancellation of all practices in Cumberland County. He said the week off from games has also allowed starter Robert Carpenter additional time to heal from an injury to his hand.
Carpenter had still been playing after the injury and showed no ill effects while on the court.
Carpenter and Chris Wilson are Terry Sanford's leading scorers entering tonight's game. Wilson averages 15.6 points while Carpenter averages 14.8.
Boyette hopes the fact Terry Sanford is playing on a Friday night will make it easier for Terry Sanford's fans to make the trip to Greenville and continue to provide the kind of rabid support they showed through the conference tournament and sectional playoffs.
"We love the 12th man and we encourage them to be there,'' Boyette said of the Terry Sanford student cheering section. "Not only our 12th man, the community support at Terry Sanford has been unbelievable.
"Our team and the coaching staff appreciate that very much and we rely on it. It's a big boost to our team.''
Scholastic sports editor Earl Vaughan Jr. can be reached at vaughane@fayobserver.com or 486-3519.