Broughton's Caps crash boards, hold off Enloe Eagles

RALEIGH -- Broughton's girls' basketball team showed its toughness in the paint throughout Tuesday night's game against Enloe. Then, when it was necessary, the Caps used their speed to keep the ball away from the Eagles.

That's how Broughton turned an entertaining and close game into a 60-54 win.

Yes, the Caps didn't have their best shooting performance, yet four players ended with 10 or more points. Turnovers were a problem, too.

But when the ball bounced off the rim, the Caps had the advantage. Broughton outrebounded Enloe by 25, which led to plenty of opportunities for second-chance points.

"Coach (Dayna) Jordan talked about it a lot before the game," forward Nicole Bellamy said. "I think it helped us get fast breaks going."

With the victory, Broughton (17-4, 9-2) remains one game behind Millbrook (19-2, 10-1) for first place in the Cap Eight 4A.

The Caps have also won 12 of their past 13 games. The loss was Jan. 3 on the road against Enloe.

Bellamy remembers that game well, because she was on the bench still recovering from her August surgery on her right ACL.

"I hated sitting on the bench, so it was really fun to play tonight," said Bellamy, who considers herself 90 percent healthy. "It also helped to watch the previous game to know what needed to be done this time."

Bellamy came off the bench late in the first quarter Tuesday night and played her best in the paint. She quickly made two baskets and was Broughton's best rebounder during the second half.

She finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

"She has great poise and she provides leadership," Jordan said of Bellamy. "When she's out there she doesn't turn the ball over and makes smart decisions."

When the Eagles (13-7, 7-4) went to a 2-3 zone on defense, guard Megan Sullivan found herself open for easy jumpers.

"Honestly, I don't think; I just shoot," said Sullivan, who led the Caps with 17 points. "When I start thinking I can get ahead of myself."

Broughton took its first lead of the game late in the third quarter.

Once the Caps grabbed a two-possession lead, Jordan had her team execute the four-corners delay offense with four guards and a sure-handed Bellamy on the court. With Enloe forced to foul, Broughton made enough of its free throws during the final minutes to secure the win.

"I'm afraid of Dana Brown," Jordan said of the Enloe's leading scorer, who had 17 points. "I felt like we had to be in control at the end by holding the ball because if Dana had taken over we would have been in trouble."