Arendell Parrott picks up double-digit wins over Harrells Christian
Arendell Parrott’s Caleb Jones drives through the lane in the Patriots’ victory over Harrells Christian Thursday. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
What a difference six days can make.
Arendell Parrott got revenge on Harrells Christian, winning 69-57 Thursday. After falling to the Crusaders 81-67 on Nov. 30, the Patriots (3-6) snapped a three-game skid, largely due to strong defense and the play of Jaquan Mosley off the bench.
“We were better on the defensive end and Jaquan stepped up tonight,” Arendell Parrott coach Dory Hines said. “Last time against Harrells he had 6 (points) and 5 (rebounds) — this time around he had 18 (points), 21 (rebounds) and three blocks. He’s a big part of our team and he hasn’t been playing well, so I challenged him. He stepped up and when he plays that well, we’ll be tough to beat.”
Harrells Christian (2-3) did start strong, going on an 11-1 run to take a 20-11 advantage early in the second. APA would respond from the perimeter in the frame, going 5 of 6, including a 3-pointer by Matthew Huntley to tie the game at 24 and Nick Harrison’s long range shot to put the Patriots ahead. The Patriots would stretch their lead to five, but Jackson Hall’s 3-pointer as time expired closed the Crusaders’ gap to 35-33 going into halftime.
Trey McLawhorn would start the third quarter with a 3-pointer for the Patriots, who never lost the lead in the second half. Harrells Christian got within 42-41 on a Javarus Keith basket, but Harrison followed with a 3-pointer and Mosley’s subsequent 3-point play on a putback gave APA additional separation.
Arendell Parrott’s Jaquan Mosley had a monster game with 18 points, 21 rebounds and three blocks Thursday. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
“I was trying to be more aggressive, get rebounds and push the ball on the break,” Mosley said. “Every day in practice, Coach (Hines) got on me about not boxing out, so it was something I knew I needed to work on.”
The Crusaders got within four on a pair of free throws from Marcus Boykin early in the fourth, but Mosley hit a pair and Harrison followed with his fourth 3-pointer to push the lead up to 54-45. The Crusaders wouldn’t get closer than six the rest of the way as the Patriots coasted.
“Everyone was stepping up, hitting shots and doing their job,” Harrison said. “This is a big step because we have a 10-0 team coming here (Friday in Cape Fear Academy), so this will give us some momentum moving forward.”
ARENDELL PARROTT 69, HARRELLS CHRISTIAN 57
HC 16 17 10 14 — 57
APA 11 24 13 21 — 69
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN — Marcus Boykin 19, Javarus Keith 15, Killett 8, Hall 6, Smith 5, Laslo 4
ARENDELL PARROTT — Jaquan Mosley 18, Nick Harrison 15, Trey McLawhorn 12, Matthew Huntley 11, Jones 8, Beaman 5
Fouled out: None
Technical fouls: None
Three-pointers: HC — Keith, Hall. APA — Harrison 4, Huntley 2, Mosley, McLawhorn.
Arendell Parrott’s Ava Blair drives to the basket in a victory over Harrells Christian Thursday. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News
In the girls’ game, Arendell Parrott picked up a 39-24 victory, but Patriots coach Kelly Johnson said play was lackadaisical compared to the last matchup. On Nov. 30, APA (6-3) won 41-15 on the road.
“We lost our focus at times, but that’s what can happen with a young team,” Johnson said. “We talked before the game about what it takes to beat a team twice and we played in spurts. We’ve got to be a little more aggressive throughout the game.”
Both teams struggled for most of the first quarter with APA registering 10 turnovers and Harrells Christian (2-3) having nine miscues. The Crusaders took a 6-4 lead after a Lekea Boney basket late in the frame, but Alex Melk’s free throw and Cameron Jones’ 3-pointer from about four feet beyond the arc as time expired put the Patriots ahead two.
“I saw there was 3 seconds left on the clock and I said ‘you know what, I’m open so I might as well take the shot,’” Jones said with a laugh. “Everyone on the team was like ‘dang’ and I didn’t know how far I shot from until they told me.”
Boney scored again to start the second quarter and tie the game up, but Arendell Parrott closed the frame on a 17-3 run to establish dominance. The Patriots forced 16 Crusader turnovers in the frame and converted several for easy baskets.
“If our offense isn’t good, we know we can rely on our defense,” APA’s Rachel Okonkwo said. “If the shots aren’t falling, we have to get out on fast breaks for easier points.”
Harrells Christian wouldn’t get within nine for the remainder of the contest. Okonkwo was the game’s lone double-digit scorer with 10 points.
ARENDELL PARROTT 39, HARRELLS CHRISTIAN 24
HC 6 5 2 11 — 24
APA 8 17 4 10 — 39
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN — Boney 9, Johnson 4, Barnette 3, Rumbold 2, Dixon 2, Rackley 2, Simpson 1, Washington 1
ARENDELL PARROTT — Rachael Okonkwo 10, Grubb 6, Blair 6, Jones 5, Melk 3, Ouano 3, Hood 2, Langston 2, Sydes 2
Fouled out: None
Technical fouls: None
Three-pointers: HC — Barnette. APA — Ouano, Jones.
