Green Hope falls just short

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By J. Mike Blake, mblake@newsobserver.com

FAYETTEVILLE - It no longer mattered who wasn’t here, or why. Green Hope’s girls basketball team had a shot to win.

Because of an injury suffered last week, Kristen Gaffney – Wake County’s all-time leading scorer among public schools – wasn’t on the court for the Falcons. She wasn’t even in the building because of her role in an altercation after that same game.

As the final seconds wound down, Falcons point guard Ashley Williams drew the defense to her and found an open forward Cassidey Sowards. But the shot was swatted away as Hope Mills South View’s Cinyere Bell recovered quickly.

Three seconds later, time expired, and Green Hope’s season was done with a 39-38 loss in the 4A East semifinals.

“They stopped her from driving and she gave the ball up in front of the basket,” said Green Hope coach Michael Robinson. “We had what we wanted, and that’s basketball. It just happens.”

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