Greene Central's B.J. Corbitt drives during the  Rams’ win over North Pitt. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News

By Scott Cole

GREENVILLE | Greene Central had little issue in their first round matchup with North Pitt in the Pitt County Christmas Classic at Greenville Rose.

The Rams came out strong and never looked back, nearly doubling up the Panthers by a score of 81-41.

“It was a good effort all around by our team, “ Greene Central coach Theodore Edwards said. “The break was good, and our guys did a great job coming out to practice. They played with intensity and high energy and that is all you can ask for.”

“Greene Central is a good team. We knew that coming into this game,” North Pitt coach Mark Carson said. “They know what they do well and they executed it. They dominated the post, they outrebounded us, and they had more intensity than we did.” On’teds Harris would lead the Panthers with 11 points.

The Rams came out firing early. Jekael Gay, B.J. Corbitt, and Zach Taylor all fired off three-pointers to help give Greene Central an early lead. Control of the boards and passing leads kept the Panthers limited as the Rams dominated the first quarter, 26-8.

“Our defense came out strong on the press and created turnovers. We did a great job coming out with that,” Imajae Dodd said, who tied with Corbitt for a team leading 14 points. “Everything we did tonight was with high energy. We did what we needed to do on offense and defense.”

North Pitt went on a little run to start the second, but the Rams kept rolling. Dodd punctuated the ease at which Greene Central was taking control of this game with a behind the back two handed dunk over the top of two players near the end of the first half. Greene led 46-15 at halftime.

“We have some inexperienced guards and the only way to give them that experience is to give them time to play,” Edwards said. “The guys are getting more used to playing with each other. They are sharing the ball more. They are listening to the things I’m trying to teach them. They are playing with more confidence and that is leading to more success. They are getting the early season jitters out of the way and are becoming a more focused, confident team. I fully believe that that will lead to more success as the season continues.

The Panthers had crept closer during the third, thanks in part to a pair of three pointers by Malcolm Hunter, but it was just too late. Greene put their starters back in to begin the fourth, the door was slammed on any sort of comeback for the Panthers. Dodd would make his second dunk, again a behind the back on a breakaway after a steal to send the crowd wild.

“It was good to get a win like this with the holiday break,” Corbitt said. “This was a good game to get ready for some of the harder competition we’ll face in the tournament and right afterwards. Our defense stepped up big and helped the offense score some easy points on the transition.”

In addition to Dodd and Corbitt, Donte Johnson scored 11 points, Hysaan Hudson scored nine points, and Zakvil Smith added eight points.

GREENE CENTRAL: Dodd 14, Corbitt 14, Johnson 11, Hudson 9, Smith 8, Pridgen 7, Gay 6, Murray 5, Taylor 3, Suggs 2, Finch 2, Parks 2

NORTH PITT: O Harris 11, Staton 8, Council 8, Hunter 6, J Harris 4, Cherry 2, Cox 2