A Perfect 10: Parrott Academy girls still unbeaten on hardwood
The Arendell Parrott Academy girls’ basketball team is enjoying tremendous success on the hardwood this season. Bud Hardy/Neuse News
To say Parrott Academy has made considerable improvement on the hardwood during Kelly Johnson's first two season as the varsity girls' general would be an understatement.
Prior to his arrival, the Patriots had just two winning seasons in 2011 and 2012. The program managed a total of 22 wins from 2013-2016.
Since Johnson's arrival, Parrott has logged 26 victories and earned back-to-back trips to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs over the past two campaigns.
But how about this?
The Patriots climbed to 10-0 overall after a 40-32, road victory at long-time nemesis Cape Fear Academy on Friday. APA snapped a 13-game skid in the series and won for just the third time in 25 meetings against the Hurricanes since 2007.
"We've worked real hard, pushed them during the preseason telling them that we need to play faster, which we are," Johnson said. "We need to be able to play more defenses, which we are. We need to be able to run on offense.
"We've practiced that way, practiced a lot harder than we have since I've been back, which is good. We've picked it up this year and I think we've finally gotten the pace we want."
Johnson has the luxury of 12 returning letter-winners who have adapted to his coaching philosophy.
Parrott has consistently worn down the opposition with a solid man-to-man defense, and has fueled its offense through turnovers. The Patriots produce almost 52 points per game and allow 21.
Three of their outcomes have been decided by eight points or less.
"Most of our points are fast break and that really helps," sophomore Rachel Okonkwo said. "We're really unselfish. We don't care who scores and we like to pass the ball. I think that's why we've been doing really good.
"We know that everybody on our team is good and that anybody can score, so we have good trust in everybody. There's no hesitation when we pass it to them. We're not relying on just one person, but relying on the whole team."
Parrott cleared one hurdle - Cape Fear.
The Pats have upcoming back-to-back home games against Coastal Christian (Tuesday) and Fayetteville Christian (Thursday). Those two teams are a combined 11-4 against Parrott since 2015.
Junior Virginia Edmondson admitted the team didn't set any preseason goals, but added a victory over Cape Fear was paramount. She, like Okonkwo, would like to see the team advance past the second round of the playoffs this winter.
"I think we're doing really good, we just need to keep our high intensity...keep on going," Edmondson said.
And let the defense do the work.
