Havelock boys get key league victory

As good as it was for Havelock, it was equally as bad for Jacksonville.

The Rams closed with a 16-5 run to beat Jacksonville 61-47 in a Coastal 3A Conference game Friday night at Havelock High.

“That’s the most satisfying win I’ve had here in 10 years because of where we started the season and where we are now,” Havelock coach Bill Fryczynski said. “I can’t say enough about how good we played.”

The victory boosted Havelock’s league record to 7-5 and put the Rams into better position to make the state playoffs with just two games remaining in the season.

“It definitely enhances our position,” said Fryczynski, whose team is 9-10 overall.

The Cardinals (15-7, 9-3) came in with hopes of securing the second spot in the conference.

“I told our team it was the ultimate in lack of focus,” Jacksonville coach Mike Ark said. “We weren’t focused. Havelock outhustled us and outplayed us. We didn’t deserve to win.”

Jacksonville’s Stephen Williams hit a 3-pointer to draw the Cardinals within 45-42 with 6:10 left in the game.

The Rams answered getting two free throws and a 3-pointer from Trey Simmons. Simmons then came up with a steal and fed Justin Godette for a dunk, lifting Havelock to a 56-45 lead with 3:50 left in the contest.

“I was astounded at the way we finished considering our lack of experience,” Fryczynski said. “We only have three players with varsity experience from last year.”

Simmons added a couple of free throws down the stretch and finished with a game-high 16 points in his first contest back after suffering a concussion Jan. 21 against New Bern.

“When he had that concussion, I thought he wasn’t coming back, period,” Fryczynski said of Simmons. “I told my wife that I was worried we wouldn’t win another game.

“But you know what, they all got better. We’re an all-around better basketball team.”

The game was close throughout most of the contest. Havelock led 10-9 after the first quarter. David Layne’s 3-pointer ended a 10-0 Havelock run in the second quarter, putting the Rams up 26-16, but Dean Boyce answered with a couple of buckets to bring Jacksonville to within 28-21 at halftime.

Kevin Mouzon scored six straight points for the Cardinals to open the third quarter, but Havelock’s Tavarian Horne had a dunk and Danny Webster Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer as the Rams held a 42-37 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

“I’m just as proud as I can be,” Fryczynski said. “I told them at halftime that we were playing well, but we had to finish it off, and we finished it off like champions.”

Godette added 14 points for Havelock, while Taj Kaudeyr, Horne and Layne scored 8 points each.

Williams led Jacksonville with 14 points, while Boyce had 12 and Mouzon 10.

Havelock next plays West Carteret for senior night Tuesday at Havelock High.

Scoring

Havelock (61) – Trey Simmons 16, Justin Godette 14, Tavarian Horne 8, Taj Kaudeyr 8, David Layne 8, Danny Webster Jr. 5, Raheem Ross 2. 3-pointers –Layne 1, Simmons 1, Webster 1.

Jacksonville (47) – Stephen Williams 14, Dean Boyce 12, Kevin Mouzon 10, Tyler Perry 4, Keegan Johnson 3, Willy Coleman 2, Will Smith 2. 3-pointers – Williams 1.