Northern Guilford girls 63, Eastern Guilford 56 in 2(OT) from Tuesday night

Special to Greensborosports.com

Northern Guilford and Eastern Guilford continued their rivalry which is in its eight
game with Eastern leading 6-2 after last nights 63-56 loss in double overtime at
Northern. The last time these two teams met was in the Conference Championship game
that also went into double overtime which Eastern won 56-52 . That game had featured
two college signees, conference player of the year, area player of the year,
tournament MVP’s , North South All Star game partcipant and All State players in
Eastern’s Miranda Jenkins (Stonybrook University) and Northern’s Samantha Cofer
(Elon). Northern had won the conference regular season with only one loss to
Eastern. Eastern had won the regular season by going undefeated the year before and
swept Northern before losing in the conference tournament to Williams; it opened the
door for Northern to beat Williams for the conference tournament championship.
Samantha Cofer was named tournament MVP. Last conference
tournament was a different scenario. Eastern’s Miranda Jenkins exploded for 37
points and 10 rebounds to lift an over achieving team to a major upset. She was
named Tounraments MVP after averaging 28.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.3 spg, 2 bpg in
wins against Morehead, Williams and Northern Guilford. Samantha Cofer scored 22 in
the Championship game to make the All Tournament team along with sister Amanda
Cofer, Erica Olerich and Karima Jackson of Eastern Guilford.

This game did not have the same type of players that could take over a game at
any moment but it still had the excitement and was in limbo throughout. Eastern had
a chance to put the game away with 4.3 seconds in the first overtime and missed on
two freethrow opportunites. Ercia Olerich had a shot that hit the rim in regulation
that would have won the game for Eastern Guilford. Northern was able to capitalize
in the overtime period by converting on 14-18 freethrows down the stretch by Cofer,
Robinson and Grinage. Northern was able to go to the charity stripe 37 times while
Eastern had 20 opportunities. Northern’s Sydney Wilson made many clutch shots and
finished with 14 points, while Aliyah Grinage one of the areas best young forwards
scored 17 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. Senior Alexis Robinson showed great
leadership by scoring much needed baskets down the stretch and finished with 14
points. Amanda Cofer converted on many freehthrows
and block some key shots and scored 12 points along with 10 rebounds. Eastern was
led by Whitney Parks 15 points, Karima Jackson 12 points and Carol Alston 8 points
and 13 rebounds. This looks like this is going to be a continued exciting rivalry
where anything could still happen before the season is over. Several college scouts
were in attendance including UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State and UNCG to watch
the likes of Cofer and Olerich. Even Public schools still get colleges to come
watch players that have the potential to play at the next level. Student-Athletes
Samantha Cofer (Elon) and Miranda Jenkins (Stonybrook) have already set the
precedence for the future.