Grimsley's loss dashes high hopes
2/24/2009

Grimsley's loss dashes high hopes

Tuesday, February 24

By Robert Bell

Staff Writer

 

GREENSBORO -- A post-season that held such great promise for Grimsley ended abruptly and with great disappointment instead. Undermanned but overwhelming Reynolds saw to that, bouncing the Whirlies out of the first round of the 4-A state basketball playoffs Monday night with the greatest of ease.

 

The final score was 73-55, but trust us: it wasn't even that close.

 

After building a 31-point lead midway through the third quarter, the Demons (14-12) rested most of their starters in anticipation of their second round game against undefeated Hopewell (25-0).

 

"It's very disappointing -- especially for our seniors," Grimsley coach Darren Corbett said. "After the regular season we had, we had expectations of a lot more (in the playoffs)."

 

Grimsley and Reynolds, two of the older high schools in the state, have played many storied games through the years. This wasn't one of them.

 

Reynolds ran past Grimsley (18-8) during a second quarter that saw the Deacons outscore the Whirlies 28-16 with a blur of fast breaks and easy inside baskets.

 

"There seemed to be no way to stop them," said Corbett. "They broke our defense down on the dribble and had guys who could finish. That's what hurt us down the stretch."

 

Corbett knew early on that Grimsley, which surprised many by finishing runner-up in the Metro Conference this year, might be in for a long night.  The Whirlies had more turnovers (seven) than field goals (one) in the first quarter -- a portent of things to come.

 

"It's frustrating as a coach," said Corbett. "You're hoping the guys can play through it, but we never could get going. Not tonight."

 

Reynolds center Will Carpenter led all scorers with 17 points, one of four Demons to score in double figures.

 

Keith Manley, a senior playing in his final game, and Lashawn Brown each scored 13 points to lead the Whirlies.

 

Trailing 37-21 at the break, Grimsley came out pressing in the third quarter, hoping to force Reynolds into a few turnovers of their own.

 

Instead, Nick Wilcox hit a 3-pointer for the Demons to start a 10-2 run that put the game out of reach.

 

Two other Grimsley players scored in double figures: Aaron Wise and Carter Gourley each had 10 points.

 

Winston-Salem Reynolds         9          28        22        14        --          73

Grimsley                                  5          16        10        24        --          55

 

Winston-Salem Reynolds (14-12) -- Zack Jenkins 6, Alex Greven 12, Kendall Wicks 11, Devontai Fore 2, Austin Welch 2, Brandon Sloan 4, Nick Wilcox 7, Will Carpenter 17, Richard Webb 2, Matt Kunz 10.

 

Grimsley (18-7) --Mark Nadler 3, Aaron Wise 10, Lashawn Brown 13, Burrell Brown 2, Cade Isley 2, Carter Gourley 10, Lee Sweeney 1, Keith Manley 13.