Lady Rams Falls to Lumberton!

December 18, 2009

Purnell Swett High School

Pirates' defense confuses Rams by Shawn Stinson

PEMBROKE - Shutting out an opponent is difficult in baseball and in basketball it is nearly unheard of, but Lumberton was able to pull off the trick.

The Pirates shutout Purnell Swett in the third quarter and breezed to a 55-21 victory in the Robeson County Shootout Thursday night. Lumberton will attempt to defend its title tonight against Jack Britt.

"I think we played well in spurts," Lumberton coach Danny Graham said. "We did a good job defensively, but we didn't shoot the ball well. If our shooting ever comes around, then we are going to be pretty good."

Jensine Alvarez, who scored a game-high 14 points for Lumberton, felt the team's swarming defense confused the Rams.

"When we were trapping them they tried to pass to people who they thought were open, but they really weren't open," Alvarez said. "It's not going to matter who we play in the next game because we are going to be ready to play."

After Purnell Swett's Porshae Pipkin scored the game's first basket, the Pirates (8-1) responded with a 10-0 run and never looked back.

Alvarez scored a game-high 14 points for Lumberton. Leandra Oxendine added 12 and Demilia Brooks chipped in with 11 for the Pirates.

"This is going to be the eighth one (shootout title) we have played for and we have won five of them," Graham said. "It won't be easy no matter who we play, but I think we will come out to play. No matter what happens, I'm proud of this team. This is a good group.  The Lady Rams (4-5) will be looking to improve their record to .500 as they play Hoke for third place @ 4:00.