Carrboro hangs on to defeat Northwood

Carrboro’s fast start was the difference Friday night in a 75-70 win over a Northwood team that came on strong in the second half and had a chance to steal one in the Jaguars’ den.
“Our quick start, I think that’s what saved it for us,” Carrboro coach John Alcox said. “They never made up the difference tonight.”
It didn’t help the Chargers that Ti Pinnix and Aumad Walker were on the bench at the beginning of the game due to disciplinary reasons. They were productive when they got on the floor, Walker finishing with 16 points, and Pinnix scoring 15.
“We just got off to a slow start,” Northwood coach Donald Williams said. “That’s been the sign of our season.”
Walker hit 12 points in the first half to cut into Carrboro’s cushion that was padded by James Scott’s 13 points, helping the Jags take a 39-31 halftime lead into the locker room.
Scott found a comfort zone down low, where he just kept catching and shooting, and Williams told his team that had to stop.
“We just had to keep a body on him,” Williams said. “It wasn’t like he was getting the ball and doing moves. He was just getting spoon-fed layups, so I made sure we kept a body on him at all times.”
Scott, one of seven Carrboro players who were on the school’s football team that lost in the state 2-AA championship game earlier this month, scored a quiet eight in the second half to finish the night with 21 points.
“He’s rounding into basketball shape,” Alcox said.
Northwood’s Charles Hope led all scorers with 23 points.
In the fourth period, Carrboro was up 66-60 with two minutes left in the game. The Jaguars were content to play keep-away, but the Chargers fouled McLean Phipps, who made two free throws with 1:41 on the clock.
Walker got a bucket and then made a fantastic steal heading out of bounds that he saved to Jared Worley, who put the ball in the basket but was whistled for traveling.
Carrboro’s Trai Sharp scored on the other end.
Pinnix scored a tough basket down low and was fouled. His free throw cut Carrboro’s lead to five with 58.7 to play.
Carrboro’s Marlin Johnson was fouled in front of Northwood’s bench, where Williams, his Amateur Athletic Union coach, gave him a smile for bad luck.
Johnson clanged the free throw.
Williams, the most outstanding player of the 1993 Final Four when his North Carolina Tar Heels won the national championship, wanted a timeout to talk about the situation.
Pinnix emerged from the break and drained a 3-pointer to trim Carrboro’s lead to four with 29.2 to play, but the Jags held on.
“We always fight to get back in it and always lose at the end,” Williams said. “But we’re a young team.”
NOTES — After the game, Williams spent some time on the court chatting with former UNC teammate Eric Montross, who was in on that 1993 Tar Heel national championship. Montross’ son plays junior varsity basketball for Carrboro.

BOYS’ SUMMARY
Carrboro 75, Northwood 70
NORTHWOOD — Monte Smith 2, Chris Smith 5, Aumad Walker 16, Adam Leviner 2, Charles Hope 23, Ti Pinnix 15, Chaz Bailey 2, Jared Worley 5.
CARRBORO — McLean Phipps 13, Matt Mackinnon 10, Trai Sharp 15, Marlin Johnson 5, James Scott 21, Martin Alcox 3, Jack Nanney 6, Alex McVeigh 2.
Northwood|13|18|11|28—70
Carrboro|20|19|11|25—75
Records—Northwood 3-4, 2-1 Carolina 12; Carrboro 3-1, 2-0.

Northwood (G) 65, Carrboro 45
CARRBORO — The Northwood girls were several steps faster than Carrboro, taking it to the Jaguars for a 65-45 road win.
Crusaders point guard Shontai Totten pushed the tempo, a role Carrboro point guard Diamond Tyson typically would assume on her home floor.
Totten led all scorers with 23 points, 10 on free throws resulting from her attacking style.
Tyson didn’t get on the scoreboard until almost midway through the second period. She eventually got her game going, finishing with 18 points, but Northwood never slowed down.

GIRLS’ SUMMARY
Northwood 65, Carrboro 45
NORTHWOOD — Gabby Mehringer 22, Alexis Brower 7, Mariah Morrow 3, Jazmine Atkins 4, Tyeshia Baldwin 2, Shontai Totten 23, Jasmine Harris 4.
CARRBORO — Anna Broome 8, Camille Gallagher 11, Kate Wood 2, Haley Davis 2, Michaela Riggsbee 2, Diamond Tyson 18, Lynette Mason 2.
Northwood|21|18|12|14—65
Carrboro|10|9|9|17—45
Records—Northwood 5-2, 3-0 Carolina 12; Carrboro 3-1, 1-1.