‘Three-cia’ Moreno stars in Saturday win
January 19, 2015
By Peter Vankevich
In the “Battle for the Paddle” basketball rivalry, the Ocracoke Dolphins swept the Hatteras Hurricanes Friday (Jan. 16) in Buxton with the boys playing one of their best games of the season winning 67-49. Evin Caswell had a season-high game with 34 points. The girls won, 49-32.
Two of Ocracoke’s traditional rivals, Mattamuskeet and Hatteras, are not having good seasons as both the girls’ and boys’ teams are winless.
Returning to home court on Saturday, the girls beat the visiting Camden County Bruins, 62-38.
This game was not without drama.
Early in the first quarter, the Dolphins leading scorer, Sydney Austin, went down with an injury. After a few anxious minutes, she was helped off the court and did not return. Later, it was reported that Sydney, in a hard fall, struck her chin. While she was checked for a possible concussion, which was negative, Coach Adam Burleson decided not to have her return.
This led to how would the team respond with their best player out? The results proved this is a solid team as they showed their depth by outplaying the Bruins. The big star was Bricia Moreno who, after this game, may have gotten a new nickname, “Three-cia,” as she made seven three-point baskets. The entire team made 10 three-pointers–Lucy O’Neal with two and Karla Perez with one.
Burleson was pleased with how the team (12-2) responded without Sydney, playing.
“We played really well today, and this was a confidence builder to play so well without Syd,” he said. “But now we are focused on the next three important upcoming conference games.”
The Ocracoke boys (4-10) lost to a much larger and experienced Bruins team (11-1).
They had trouble stopping scoring in the low post. Coach Dave Allewalt, after the game, said he was pleased with the team’s play.
“We are 4-5 in the conference and are not giving up,” he said. “The team continues to get better with each game.”
The Dolphins on Tuesday host the Columbia Wildcats in the “tank,” which is the nickname for the Dolphins court in the gym, with the girls starting at 4 p.m. and boys following.
The teams go on the road for weekend playing the Perquimans Pirates (Hertford County) Friday (Jan.23); girls starting at 5:30 p.m., boys to follow.
On Saturday afternoon the teams will take on the Gates County Red Barons, girls starting at 1 p.m., boys to follow.
The games will be broadcast on WOVV, 90.1 FM on the island and online at wovvo.org.
