For the last three years, the King basketball program hasn’t been what it used to be for head coach Landon Cox as the school goes through the process of becoming a magnet school.
Without the backing of a freshman-sophomore team to develop players, King has struggled. But Monday brought a reminder of the program’s storied past as Cox earned his 500th career victory, a 43-39 Public Red Central win over Robeson.
“I’m just so glad that his day has come,” Cox said. “To get 500 wins is very special to me, since I haven’t lost 100 games yet.”
David Easterling led King (7-13, 4-4) with 21 points and hit two free throws with 21 seconds left to break a 39-39 tie. Joseph Toney stole a pass with 19 seconds left and hit both of the ensuing free throws to make King 2-0 vs. Robeson this season.
Amir Major scored 16 points to lead Robeson (10-11, 5-4).
“Robeson is a good well-coached team,” Cox said. “We’ve had great battles over the years, but tonight I guess we got the best of them.”
Several players with potential have transferred from King over the past three years, but Cox’s players who stayed play hard for him.
“Without a true frosh-soph, they’ve got me playing with one arm tied behind my back,” he said. “My kids are playing as hard as they possibly can and that’s all that I’m asking from them.”
Bogan 60, Kennedy 46: Michael Walton scored 14 points to lead three Bengals (7-16, 6-4) in double figures in the Public Blue Central.
Chicago Richards 60, Northside Prep 48: Tyjuan Woodley scored 15 points to lead Richards (8-0, 8-0) to the Public Green North-Central win.
Dunbar 86, Hubbard 72: Jason Straight led four Mighty Men (13-7, 7-1) in double figures with 28 points in the Public Red Central win. Rashaun Johnson scored 23 points to lead Hubbard (12-13, 5-4).
Harper 83, Gage Park 76: Michael Clark had 20 points and Rico Ferguson and Quinn Coopwood chipped in 15 each as the Cardinals won in the Public Red Central. Gage Park’s Lamar Grimes led all scorers with 25 points.
Prosser 97, Lincoln Park 95: Maurice Vaughn scored 45 points and grabbed 28 rebounds, and freshman Jason Bowden scored all 17 of his points in the fourth quarter to lead Prosser (13-12, 5-5) to the Public Red North win. Royce Darran scored 24 points for Lincoln Park.
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Roosevelt 77, Lake View 70: Tony Williams scored 22 points to lead Roosevelt (1-20, 1-8) to its first win of the season in the Public Blue North. Kevin Hester scored 25 points to lead Lake View.
Phillips 72, Foreman 60: Lamar Bowman scored 25 points and added 12 assiststo lead Phillips in the Public Green North-Central.
Schurz 60, Amundsen 58: Steffan Villarreal scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Schurz (10-17, 4-4) to a comeback win in the Public Blue North win. Austin Seeley scored 18 to lead Amundsen.
Steinmetz 79, Sullivan 59: Onanai Wilson scored 22 points and Marcquintce Davis added 22 points and 10 assists to lead Steinmetz (12-9, 5-4) to the Public Red North win.
Taft 59, Senn 38: Fred Bailey scored 11 of his 23 points in a decisive 13-0 second-half run to knock off Senn (11-9, 7-2) and close in on the Public Blue North title. Earl Hughes added 12 points and five rebounds for Taft (19-3, 8-0), which is bouncing back from an 11-18 season a year ago and demotion from the Red North.
“What a turnaround from last year,” said Taft coach Nick Nishibayashi. “We don’t have a single starter from last year and the offense is no different. The difference this year is execution.”
Von Steuben 69, Mather 62: Luke Rogers had 28 points, six assists and eight steals and Phillip Watson added 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead Von Steuben (17-3, 9-0) to the Public Red North win. Danny Mendoza scored 24 points and Michael Shamon added 20 to pace Mather (14-9, 6-3).