Garner boys avoid slip-up

GARNER -- The Garner Trojans know how one slip-up can crush an otherwise great year.

Garner, with thoughts of an undefeated basketball season ending in an overtime playoff loss a year ago, took control early and went on to an 80-59 first-round win against Sanderson on Monday.

The Trojans (24-2), the No. 2 seed in the 4A East bracket, will host Wakefield on Wednesday in the second round.

Last year many of these same players were on a team that lost in the third round to Wilmington New Hanover. They haven't forgotten and neither has coach Eddie Gray.

"Oh, we talked about that before the game tonight," Gray said. "About not taking anybody lightly, what (last year's) team could have done, but let it slip away."

Sanderson (11-16) caught the fury of the determined, talented Garner squad.

"Garner's a very good team and we came out a little intimidated, which didn't help," Sanderson coach Mike Shaw said. "We've got four sophomores who contribute, and making the playoffs was a goal, plus we won a game in the conference tournament. So hopefully, we've got something we can build on."

Garner used strong defensive pressure and balanced scoring.

Eleven players scored for Garner, led by Dominique Reed's 13, Josh McClain's 11, and DeShaun Stabler's 10. DeMarcus Sanford, Larry Richardson and Cameron Redd scored eight each.

Franklin Wolfe led the Spartans with 17.

"We're looking at this as a three-game tournament this week and then a two-game tournament next week," Gray said. "We've got to keep playing full-court man-to-man pressure defense and play together and we'll have an opportunity to make a run."