House, Young Spark Lowgators To Victory

North Charleston (9-2) remains unbeaten at home while Huntsville falls to (4-5). The Lowgators face the Columbus Riverdragons (6-2) on the road Saturday, December 8 and return home on Monday, December 10 to face the Roanoke Dazzle (4-4).

“We played well and had a great first half,” Coach English said. “They (Huntsville) had a run in the second half, but we were able to hold on.” Coach English continued, “we need to continue working on not letting teams back in the game once we get them down. We have to stop making silly mistakes down the stretch.

With 4:26 left in the game, Jimmy Hunter had a fast-break lay-up from a Tes Whitlock jump shot he blocked to bring Huntsville with two points. North Charleston fought off Huntsville’s last chance come back with a steal from Chris Robinson who then converted on a 3-pointer at 4:02 in the game to give the Lowgators a 78-73 lead. North Charleston never looked back on the lead once Neil “Swat” Edwards had two key back-to-back block shots by Jeremy Veal with 3:13 minutes in the game.

It was Fred House and Galen Young who sparked North Charleston early in the game scoring 12 and 10 points to give the Lowgators a 51-42 lead at half-time. Galen Young came off the bench to grab a season-high of nine rebounds while filling in for Sedric Webber who fouled-out. Fred House led the Lowgators in assists with four and showing why he’s the number one “Thief” of the league stealing the ball four times. Makhtar Ndiaye who fouled out in the fourth quarter had two blocked shots and eight offensive rebounds totaling 10 for the night.

B. J. McKie had 14 points and two steals, followed by Sedric Webber who scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds to round out double figure scorers. The Lowgators and Flight had 29 fast-break points apiece.

“We played horribly,” said Coach Thornton. “We let an uncontested three (point jump shot) go and they got two steals after that and that was the difference in the game.” Coach Thornton continues, “They had a little help with the officiating and that’s what happens on the road, so you got to overcome it.”

Shelly Clark had 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead Huntsville. Terrance Roberson had 18 points followed by Jimmie Hunter who had 15 points and eight rebounds to round out double figure scorers.

Postgame quotes

North Charleston, Coach English:
“We played well and had a great first half. They had a run in the second half but we were able to hold on. Antonio Grant got an elbow in the third quarter and split his eye but he’s going to be ok. We’re down to nine guys, but it’s part of the game.”

“We need to continue working on not letting teams back in the game once we get them down. We did a decent job tonight but we can do better. We have to stop making little silly mistakes down the stretch.”

“We had a good crowd. I think in time we will have people here. They just have to witness that we’re going to continue to win.”

Player of the Game, North Charleston Fred House:
“It was real personal because they blamed us for throwing balls in their stands, disrespecting them, but we’re not a team like that. I mean they’re giving us a bunch of excuses about we’re ESPN and this and that. We get treated the same as them. But what we tried to do tonight is come out here and play hard and show them that we’re for real, we’re no joke. So, we just came and gave a 110 percent.”

Huntsville, Coach Thornton:
“We played horribly. We let an uncontested three go and they got two steals after that and that was the difference in the game.

“We’re the top two teams in this league. They know we can play with them any night in the week, so we’re going to battle with them every time.

“They had a little help with the officiating and that’s what happens on the road, so you got to overcome it.”