Leesville Road boys basketball
Dillon Smith (32) makes for the basket during Leesville Road's game at Panther Creek Monday.
Panther Creek pounces on Pride 68-55
Following Monday night's 68-55 loss at Panther Creek, Leesville Road boys basketball coach Roderic Brewington said he can see the type of team he wants on the floor — just not enough of it.
For the second consecutive game — and loss — the Pride (1-2) have battled back late from an early disadvantage with an aggressive style Brewington is looking for, but the push has been too late to erase a double-digit deficit.
The coach points out, for the Pride to be successful, the squad needs to put forth a complete-game effort.
"We have to do a better job of creating urgency," Brewington explained. "Two games in a row we were most urgent in the fourth, and at the start of the game today, I told them 'Let's be urgent in the first quarter.'
"It is something we have to work on a little bit. We have to be a little more physical, a little tougher, a little meaner."
Click here for highlights from the Pride's game at Panther Creek.
The Pride actually got off to a fast start early Monday, jumping ahead of the Catamounts 10-6 on Ina Obasi's lay-in midway through the first quarter. Thirty seconds later, Troy Williamson dropped in a mid-range jumper, increasing Leesville's lead to 12-6.
But the Catamounts closed out the quarter on a 10-2 run. And the Pride's lone basket wasn't easy as PJ McQueen grabbed two rebounds on a single possession before finally dropping in a short bucket.
Panther Creek was able to halt the Pride attack by pressing them three-quarters and full court.
Brewington admitted his squad didn't adjust to the pressure well.
"We had a lot of turnovers early, and we panicked on the press," he said. "They are very athletic, they were quick, they were aggressive. We kind of wilted under the pressure a little bit early. We know better, but we let the situation get to us. And then by the time we recovered we were already in a pretty big hole."
Panther Creek pushed its lead to 26-18 midway through the second, however the Pride kept the game close thanks to Obasi, who dropped in seven of 11 points in the period. But the Catamounts still led 32-27 at the half.
In the second half, Panther Creek continued to build its advantage, pushing its lead to double digits.
Catamount forward Karim Sako, who scored a game-high 23 points, dropped in eight points in the third. Throughout the game, Sako was aggressive on the boards, getting good looks at the basket. But he might have delivered the games' dagger, nailing a long jumper with seconds remaining in the third, ending the quarter with Panther Creek staking a 51-37 lead.
Leesville's Jamez Lodge helped mount a small comeback in the fourth, and on back-to-back possessions, grabbed a miss and scored on a putback. But the Pride never really threatened.
Quinton Marshall and Lodge scored 10 points apiece for Leesville.
Brewington praised the efforts of Lodge and Shyheid Petteway for their aggressive play, and hopes it's contagious.
"It was a strong effort from them, and that's good to see," he said. "They showed the resilience that we need."
Following the game, the coach noted the Pride didn't convert a single three-point attempt in the game, but that it's not for a lot of ability. Rather a lack of attempts.
Brewington implored several of his shooters to take shots late, especially Williamson, citing the guard's good touch.
"Troy can shoot the ball, but he won't pull it," the coach said. "I've never seen a kid you have to tell to shot. At practice he's hitting from half court, hitting from 35-40 feet. But in the game, we're a little too cautious.
"No risk, no reward. If we lose with him shooting, I'm OK with that because I know he's a good shooter."
The Pride return to action tonight (Tuesday), hosting Durham Riverside at 7 p.m. Leesville also hosts Apex Thursday, also a 7 p.m. start.
