CREEKSVILLE – Jamal Williams would not allow Senior Night for the Rams of Northampton High School-East to be anything but a celebration here Friday night as he scored 16 second half points to pace the Rams 51-35 victory over the Trojans of Southeast Halifax.

The game began as a defensive struggle as both teams started the game in a 2-3 zone defense.

Senior Evans Grant got the scoring started with a three-pointer from the corner giving the Rams an early 3-0 lead.  Three baskets by Williams and two for the Trojans T. Hannon gave the Rams a 9-4 lead at the end of the first period.  The Rams had eight blocked shots in the period.

The second period again was a defensive struggle as the Trojans active 2-3 zone kept the Rams from getting easy shots.

Meanwhile, the Rams switched to a man-to-man defense which produced another four blocked shots.  Southeast Halifax closed the period on an 8-2 run which allowed them to close the gap to 15-13 as the half came to a close.

The second half began much as the first with both teams employing 2-3 zones.  Slowly the Rams began to get the ball inside their rebounding edge began to take over.

Three-point baskets by Travis Wiggins and Grant midway of the quarter helped the Rams build a 30-22 lead at the close of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was all Rams as Williams exploded for 12 of his game high 21 points as the Rams outscored the Trojans 21-13 over the last eight minutes.

The Trojans changed up their defense switching to a 2-2-1 trapping zone with full court pressure.  But each time the Rams were able to get the ball into the front court where they were fouled making 5-of-6 free throws.

The Trojans then tried a man to man defense which allowed Williams to get loose for three straight baskets to all but end the game.

Leading the Rams was Williams with his game-high 21 points and Chris Bishop’s eight.  Hannon led the Trojans with 19.

The Rams finished Tar-Roanoke play with a 10-2 conference record and will step out of conference on Friday as they travel to Rocky Mount Prep.

Southeast Halifax will play their final conference game on Tuesday as they host KIPP Pride.