2008 Woodie Awards
Eagles overpower High Point Panthers
Eagles ranked number two in the Big South
Temekia Hines
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Sports
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The win was much needed, considering that the Eagles had lost two games in a row to UNC Asheville and Coastal Carolina. The victory over High Point came just in time, knocking the Eagles into second place in the Big South Conference.
The Coliseum was filled with hundreds of fans dressed from head to toe in their garnet and gold "Beat High Point" t-shirts, Eagles hats and some even with shirts saying "Beat Arizona Reid."
As High Point took the court for last minute warm-ups, Eagle fans shouted boos and held up signs displaying smart remarks. In reaction to Eagles fans, the hand full of Panther fans that were in attendance attempted to shout boos as the Eagles took the floor but were soon reminded that they were in Eagle territory and not at home.
The Eagles started out on the right foot. 15 minutes into the first half, the Eagles had already scored 13 points, nine of which oming from freshman forward, Charles Corbin.
The game was highly competitive between the Eagles and High Point's starting point guard Mike Jefferson. Jefferson
contributed 19 points the entire game, 18 of which were made within the first 20 minutes of the game. Jefferson would only score one more point in the second half due to senior guard
Michael Jenkins's tight defense.
The team's defense as a whole was enough to shut-down High Point's Arizona Reid who only contributed 10 points (season low) to the game.
"Some people can make themselves too up. AZ (Arizona Reid) was to up to begin the game and when things didn't go his way, he got way down," High Point's Head Coach Bart Lundy said.
With Reid out of his game, that was one less player that the Eagles had to be concerned with. The Panthers were up 34-31 at the half due to Jefferson, who was keeping the team afloat. However, the second half would be a different story. Nineteen minutes in the
second half Jenkins nailed a three pointer tying the score 34-34. Directly after senior point guard Chris Gaynor drove the ball through the middle, scoring two points.
It was smooth sailing from there as Mantoris Robinson made plays in the low posts; Jenkins made steals off of his defense, and freshman forward George Valentine made the fans rise to their feet with a slam dunk with 10 minutes left in the second half.
"I'm really proud of our team and the way they responded in toughness. It was a Winthrop win." Peele said.
Robinson led the Eagles with 12 points, McCullough followed with 10 ( 2 of the points from a dunk assisted by Byron Faison in the first half), and Corbin, Gaynor and Harris all tied with nine points.
The Eagles next home game will be against Radford University Saturday Feb. 16 at 7:00 p.m.
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