Red Devils Sweep
February 12, 2013
By Denis Vass of Graham High School The Graham Red Devils completed a 3-game sweep tonight in the Devils Den as they blasted Eastern Randolph 75-60.
Graham was anything but effecient as they fell behind 20-18 after one period of play and 32-26 at the half after only scoring 8 points the second period.
The Red Devils (19-5, 10-2) caught fire the second half and the Wildcats (13-8, 7-3) were powerless to stop the onslaught. Graham outscored Eastern Randolph 25-17 the third period and 49-28 the second half as they rolled to their 10th win in the Mid-State, putting themselves in a position of no worse than second place heading to the conference tournament next week. Graham has now won seven conscutive games.
Eastern Randolph lost their third conference game as the Red Devils avenged their last loss, a double-overtime loss to the same Wildcat team. The Wildcats still have two conference games remaing, one with top seed Cummings.
For Graham, it was a team effort tonight. Kendall Patterson led all scorers for the Red Devils with 18 points. Other Seniors in tonight's game scoring were Antonio Turner (3 points), Troy Bowden (6 points) Michael Ratlif (10 points), Jamal Richmond (3 points), and Jordan Mitchell (2 points). Courtney Edmonds also added 10 points, while Trent Torain drained three three-point baskets enroute to 14 points.
For the Wildcats, Tyrell Watt scored 21, Rashem Walker 12, and Keonati McKenzie 10.
The JV boys, in the opening game, fell behind by 11 points early in the third quarter, mounted a furious comeback and tied the game at 53-all with a little over a minute left in the third. Eastern Randolph held a 61-56 lead heading into the final period.
The Junior Devils managed to scratch out a 65-63 lead, and had the ball with over 5 and a half minutes remaining. The Wildcats coach elected to stand still for 3 1/2 minutes- until the two minute mark.
David Woodmansee put Graham ahead 67-63 with a crucial basket with 1:45 left, then Graham sealed the game knocking down 5 free throws to win 72-68.
Coach Kyle Ward's team ended the 2012-2013 season with a 16-5 record, going 8-4 in the conference.
Khalil Cole led the Red Devils with 18 points, David Woodmasee added 16, and Jontae Sellars 15.
The Lady Devils had to shake of conscutive losses from last week. Graham led 13-9 after one period, but fell behind at the half 21-20. Graham outscored Eastern Randolph 14-5 to grab a 34-26 lead after three periods, then continued that run with a 16-8 score the final period to win handily 50-34.
The win puts Graham in a solid second place with a 10-2 Conference record (15-9 overall) as the top two team, Jordan Matthews and Reidsville have to play each other twice this week.
The Seniors provided what was needed to win tonight, as Kay Kay Wilson banged in three three-point baskets to lead all scorers with 15 points. Jasmine Atkins added 11, while the third senior in the trio, BriAna Snipes, added 5 in her final regular season game as a Red Devil.
Both the varsity boys and girls will play at home for the first round of the conference game next week, with the girls starting on Monday. Times and opponnts will be announced at a later date.
Great job, Seniors!
