First Posted: 1/15/2009

Tim Wilkins
Sports editor

RED SPRINGS – A funny thing happened on the way to Red Springs’ opening round state playoff victory over South Lenoir – a basketball game became a track meet.
Actually, it probably wasn’t that funny to the visiting the Blue Devils, who seemed to have forgotten their running shoes.
Red Springs sprinted their way to a 63-47 victory on Monday, advancing to the second round of the state 2-A playoffs on Wednesday. The Red Devils will face Holmes of the Northeastern Coastal Conference at 7 p.m.
Red Springs forward Courtney Bowers led all scorers with 20 points as the Red Devils raced up and down the court for easy baskets. Teammate Corletha Bartley chipped in with 17 points.
“(Bartley) played really well,” Red Springs coach Eva Patterson-Heath said. “She did miss some chippies, though.
“We did just what we wanted with our transition game. That’s our bread and butter.”
The Blue Devils’ bread and butter, point guard Karissa Herring was hobbled by obvious physical pain all night. Despite leading her team in scoring with 17 points – 12 of those coming in the first half