Fab Five: North Pitt vs Southern Wayne (Free)
Fab Five: North Pitt vs Southern Wayne
In the first game of the season for North Pitt, they got all they could bargain for on their home floor. Neither team ever saw a big lead and there were a ton of lead changes.
North Pitt star senior guard Devonte Pettaway was whistled for 2 quick fouls early in the 1st quarter and Southern Wayne capitalized early. Southern Wayne guard Rakilen Butler and Bless Thomas set the tone on both ends and made play after play to keep their team in striking distance the first half.
Early in the second half, North Pitt senior guard Devonte Pettaway quickly made his presence known, attacking the basket relentlessly and putting his team ahead by a small margin. North Pitt guard Reginald Carney also had quite the hot hand and put a ton of pressure on the Southern Wayne defense in the 3rd quarter.
However, Southern Wayne guards Rakilen Butler and Bless Thomas hit quite a few timely shots ending the personal runs that North Pitt went on and kept the game close. In a crucial stretch during the 4th quarter, Southern Wayne freshman David Brewer (Class of 2020) filled in quite nicely and buried 2 consecutive 3 pointers that put Southern Wayne ahead.
In the end however, North Pitt executed down the stretch offensively and defensively. They got a few key stops, hit several free throws to go up two points with just seconds remaining and played solid defense as Southern Wayne attempted a game winner at the buzzer that fell short.
Best Offensive Performance: Devonte Pettaway (North Pitt) 17′
Pettaway is a recognized name in the Pitt/Greenville, NC area and to a few schools down the east coast. He’s a great student and a surefire college level lead guard, so that will change in his senior season. Despite battling early foul trouble, when his team needed him most, Pettaway scored basket after basket in tune to 27 points and 4 assists by the end of regulation. He was scoring from long range, mid-range, passing the ball, getting to the rim and converting at the line.
Best Intangibles: Bless Thomas (Southern Wayne) 17′
Bless did some of everything for Southern Wayne. He ran the offense, focuses tough on defense, got to the foul line, made shots and showed tons of leadership. He’s a no nonsense kind of guard that just plays the game the right way. He stands about 6’1”, with good length, solid court vision, defensive intensity and he is very vocal. There were several sequences where his team needed an emotional lift and he was the one to deliver seemingly every opportunity, whether it was by making a play or vocally getting his teammates pumped up for the next play.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Rakilen Butler (Southern Wayne) 18′
Butler is a consistent scoring threat for Southern Wayne. In this game he quietly yet consistently put the ball in the hoop. Whether it was coming off screens, creating off the dribble, getting others involved or cheering his team on, he did it well and made it seem somewhat effortless. Finished this game with 18 points and 6 assists. LM and D2 schools in need of a guy that can immediately come in 2018 and make shots should start taking deeper looks at him.
Best Defensive Performance: Reginald Carney (North Pitt) 17′
On top of his efficient offensive output in this contest (25 points), Carney was everywhere defensively. He did a solid job of shadowing several players on and off the ball. He also did a very solid job in passing lanes, coming away with several steals from being in the right spots at the right time. He’s undersized, but definitely a two-way college level combo guard.
Best Underclassman: Nas Staton (North Pitt) 19′
Nasqueonta “Nas” Staton was quite a surprise. He was all over the floor all night. On defense he was quick on his feet and showed great end to end speed. Offensively was much of the same. He pushes the ball strong and has a crafty layup package. As a combo guard, he’s a very above average rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Gets off of the ground really quick. Shows the potential of an athletic combo guard that will give opponents issues for years to come.