3 takeaways from Cordova’s ugly win over Raleigh-Egypt

Courtney Smith December 9, 2019 @ 11:55 PM

Cordova head coach Terrance Scales didn’t give his usual lecture after the Wolfpack defeated Raleigh-Egypt 57-47 Monday night. Instead, he told his players to leave the locker room as he was so disgusted with the way his team played against a team most felt would lose the game by 30 or more points. This was probably the ugliest win Cordova (6-1) has had so far this season as its roster has more-than-enough talent to beat lower-tier competition on cruise control. But, the Pharaohs just play hard, which should be their staple for the rest of the season. Here are 3 takeaways from the Wolfpack’s win over Raleigh-Egypt: Raleigh-Egypt got comfortable in its zone defense Cordova’s guards couldn’t buy a basket. No, seriously. The Wolfpack couldn’t make a shot. That’s the type of night Scales’ team was having. Guys that usually make shots couldn’t put the ball in the ocean. Senior guard K’Juan Banks struggled offensively and sat on the bench for most of the game because of foul trouble. Junior guard RJ Seals and Markelion Hines had nice looks at the basket, but couldn’t get shots to fall. Junior wing Jordan Hamilton made two 3s in the early minutes of the first quarter, but was pretty quiet for the rest of the night. Cordova was putting up shots while the Pharaohs (5-4) sat in their 2-3 zone. They didn’t come out of it, and there was no reason to do so since the Wolfpack kept jacking up 3-point shot attempts. Senior guard Justin Borders could have easily broke Raleigh-Egypt’s zone, but at times, he was playing conservative until the fourth quarter when he scored eight points. Borders managed to finish the night with a game-high 19 points. He went 8 for 8 from the free throw line. Junior guard Calvin Jennings had 15. Hamilton added 10. RJ Seals guarded Quintavious Bailey well Coach Scales felt RJ Seals’ defensive assignment on senior wing Quintavious Bailey was the only thing to talk about in his team’s win. Bailey is averaging over 20 points a game, but was held to nine points. Seals face-guarded him each time he touched the basketball. Bailey usually likes to pull the basketball up the floor. He didn’t do any of that as he directed his teammates to go get the basketball. Bailey wasn’t able to post Seals up on the block. Overall, Bailey’s night was taxing. The Pharaohs have to find scoring elsewhere Bailey wasn’t able to go for 20 or more points, so if this happens again, someone else will have to step up offensively. Senior guard Jesse Lee led the team with 12 points Monday night. No one else reached double figures for Raleigh-Egypt. Without Bailey, the Pharaohs struggled offensively.