East Gaston girls' second-half rally falls short

MOUNT HOLLY — East Gaston’s girls basketball team turned in a spirited second-half effort after trailing by 13 points at halftime, before falling 63-58 to Watauga Monday night in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

The Warriors (11-12) got 21 points from senior Hayley Black, who finished her career with over 1,000 points, including 15 points in the second half. Eleven of senior LaCreesha Gore’s 14 points also came after halftime.

“The big thing was nobody was getting to the ball and getting open in the first half,” Black said. “We started moving without the ball better in the second half and that cut down on the turnovers.”

Second-year head coach Angela Goins pointed to an improved effort on the defensive end by her team in the second.

“I thought our defense got us back in the game. We committed fewer turnovers, but we also created more turnovers in the second half and that helped us get into our offense,” Goins said.

After failing to make a field goal and scoring just six points in the second quarter, East Gaston found itself down 34-21 at halftime. The Warriors steadily got back into the game after the break and got within four points of the Pioneers on several occasions in the third quarter. A basket by Black on an assist from Taylor Hawley capped a 12-3 run and cut Watauga’s lead to 37-33 midway through the third.

East Gaston continued its improved play in an intense fourth quarter, eventually climbing all the way back to the game at 57-57 with 1:20 left after two makes at the free-throw line by Gore.

But the Pioneers (10-11), which held a decided height advantage, made clutch plays on the offensive end down the stretch with Brooke Rhodes (12 points) and Nicole Tesh (13 points) converting key baskets to help the visitors hang on and advance. Mariah Corbin also reached double figures for Watauga with 11 points.

“It was definitely an intense locker room discussion at halftime, but I thought we did a good job responding in the second half,” Goins said.

Before fouling out late in the game, sophomore Shelby Winchester — one of 10 players that will return next year for the Warriors — added 10 points.

The Pioneers travel to McDowell (25-1) on Wednesday.