Intensity up as East rolls, 68-42

By MELINDA ROBINSON — The Independent

MOREHEAD March 06, 2008 09:16 am

— East Carter cruised past Raceland 68-42 Wednesday night in the first round of the 16th Region Tournament at Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
The teams split the regular season matchups with East Carter winning 59-55 in late December. The Rams got the better of the Raiders in late February, winning 64-48.
“I didn’t feel like they played with very much energy the last time we played them,” Raceland coach Scott Floyd said. “They came out with a lot more focus and were more physical than the last time.”
East Carter senior Drew Johnson said his team was better prepared for this matchup and played a lot harder. He finished with a game-high 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field. He was 2-of-2 from behind the 3-point line and went 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.
“I was just playing the game and kind of zoned it to it,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t paying attention to how many shots I was making.”
Johnson’s six-point run put East Carter (23-7) on top 8-4 midway through the first quarter. The Raiders continued to dominate, shooting 15-of-26 from the field in the first half, and never looked back.
“I thought we played really aggressive on both ends and challenged them to be mentally ready,” East Carter coach Brandon Baker said. “We were just fortunate the ball went in the basket and that always make you a little more hungrier on the defensive end of the court.”
The Rams shooting woes began early as they went just 4-of-20 from the field in the first half.
“Even though we shot the ball really bad, it wasn’t the offense that killed us, it was our defense in the first half,” Floyd said.
A 26-7 run that began in the first and ended late in the second gave East Carter a 25-point lead (36-11). The Rams added four free throws to close out the half, just barely whittling their deficit to trail 36-15 at the break.
The Rams (19-11) made a short seven-point run late in the third to cut East Carter’s lead to 15 (27-42). Johnson broke up the run with a three-point play to close out the quarter with the Raiders ahead 45-27.
“We decided to go for broke and pick them up full-court,” Floyd said. “They turned it over a few times and we got some momentum. At the end of the third quarter, Drew Johnson made a huge 3-point play and kind of broke our momentum.”
Raceland got as close at 14 early in the fourth off Tyler Boyles’ three but that was as close as they could get as East Carter posted the 26-point win.
Kyle Bair netted 15 points for the Raiders.
Raceland was led by Tyler Boyles’ 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Rams finished the game 12-of-50 from the field.
“We limited their open looks and if we could force them into contested shots and rebound it, once those first few shots don’t go in, it takes a little energy from that team and gives a little energy to the other team,” Baker said.
Baker also credited Raceland’s efforts and its success this season under Floyd in his first season as a head coach.
“They’ve had a really nice season,” he said. “Floyd has done a super nice job in his first season. He knows the coaching game.”
The Rams lose eight seniors to graduation.
“Those seniors have been nothing but great,” Floyd said. “They’ll be missed and loved and always be part of my family.”
East Carter will take on Ashland (14-16) in the semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m.

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