White given a challenge, keys Raiders

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Toward the end of the first quarter of Friday's game against Warren JFK, Warren Harding coach Steve Arnold gave senior Pat White a breather -- and a challenge.
"I said, 'Hey, where's all the energy you've been providing?' " Arnold said. "When he came back in, he played well."
Very well, actually.
White, a 6-foot-5-inch forward, had 10 points and three rebounds in the second quarter, keying an 18-1 run that helped the Raiders turn a 16-15 deficit into a 33-17 lead just before halftime.
They didn't let up in the second half, either, handing their cross-town rivals a 61-39 defeat at Harding High School.
"We just tried to get 'em down and keep 'em down," said White, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. "We had a big size advantage and we tried to take advantage of that."
Advantages
The Raiders (12-6, 6-0) also had an athleticism advantage, a wingspan advantage and a depth advantage, forcing 14 turnovers and holding the Eagles (15-3, 5-2) to 31 percent shooting (16 of 51) from the floor.
"We knew walking into the gym we had a great challenge ahead of us," Kennedy coach Shawn Pompelia said. "Anytime you get down early against a Division I team, you've got an uphill battle ahead of you."
The Eagles' biggest problem came at the foul line. Kennedy shot just 4 of 23 from the line, getting tough nights from freshman Desmar Jackson (0 for 8), senior Stephan Flanagan (1 of 6) and senior TaShawn Walker (1 of 5).
"When you hit your foul shots, you make the game tighter," said Pompelia, whose team never got closer than 13 in the second half. "But we are extremely proud of this team. They came out and competed against a very good Division I team and they didn't back down."
Bryan Wright added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Raiders, who play Mooney and Rayen before the Division I tournament.
Harding dominates inside
Damian Eargle (one of three Raiders at 6-4 or taller) added six points and 13 rebounds as Harding held a 44-14 edge in points in the paint.
"We have to play to our strengths," Arnold said. "The game plan was to get the ball inside and use our size advantage."
Junior J.J. Townsend had 11 points and four rebounds for the Eagles, whose other losses came against Campbell and Ursuline. (Both teams compete in the Division III district at Salem.)
Senior Mark Rossi added 10 points and Jackson finished with nine rebounds and six steals.
"That's what going against a Division I team gives you," Pompelia said. "I think anytime you can fill the gym and can compete in a game like that, it's good for you."
Arnold agreed, praising the team's fan support, especially its student section.
"Our student section has been great all year and, obviously, they were a little more into it tonight," Arnold said. "We look forward to playing JFK. Everyone in the community had been talking about it for awhile."
scalzo@vindy.com