A late shot by Caroline Jones plus some solid defense down the stretch by South Lenoir’s girls basketball team gave it a 44-42 victory over host East Duplin in a battle of East Central 2A Conference rivals on Saturday night.
Jones hit a jumper with 25 seconds left then Heather West stole an inbounds pass to seal the deal for the Blue Devils (12-4, 6-2), who are now in a three-way tie for second with the Panthers (14-4, 6-2) and Jacksonville Northside.
Demeyia Adams scored 10 points, Marquia Suddeth scored 10 points and West added nine points for South Lenoir, which won the fourth quarter 15-11 and avenged an earlier loss to the Panthers.
The Blue Devils host Richlands on Tuesday. The game was a make-up of Friday’s postponed contest due to winter weather.
EAST DUPLIN 56, SOUTH LENOIR 55
East Duplin’s boys also won the fourth quarter to knock off the Blue Devils and hand them their first league loss of the season.
South Lenoir (11-5, 7-1) led 44-40 going into the final period but the Panthers (11-5, 6-2) outscored the Blue Devils 16-11 in the last 8 minutes.
Jonte Midgette led South Lenoir with 23 points. Ishmael Baldwin scored 14 and Dion Jones added nine.
Montell Stallings led East Duplin with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. South Lenoir hit three 3s as a team.
The Blue Devils still have a one-game lead for first in the conference.
