A late flurry by Croatan in the final 2 minutes gave the Cougars a 66-43 win over South Lenoir in a game between two of the top four teams in the ever-muddled East Central 2A Conference on Tuesday.
Jonte Midgette scored 16 points and Dion Jones added 10 for the Blue Devils (11-7, 9-4), who trailed by only eight before the Cougars (18-4, 9-4) took off to outscore their opponents 32-10 in the final period.
The win by Croatan, paired with a win by Jacksonville Northside over former first-place Clinton, means all four could wind up tied for first after Friday’s regular season finales.
If the Blue Devils beat Clinton (16-6, 10-3), the Monarchs (18-3, 10-3) lose at East Duplin and Croatan defeats Richlands all four teams will finish tied atop the league.
South Lenoir must defeat Clinton and get help from East Duplin to have a chance.
PAMLICO 85, JONES SENIOR 71: At Pamlico, the Trojans fell a game back of the Coastal Plains 1A Conference’s final playoff spot in the loss.
Jones Senior (7-13, 3-6) was paced by senior Miguel Foy, who scored 28 points and surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career. Rhysante’ Ellis added 15 points and K.D. McCall scored 14 points for the Trojans, who wrap up the regular season at home against league-leading East Carteret on Friday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
SOUTH LENOIR 49, CROATAN 20: At Croatan, the Blue Devils did what they needed to do for a shot at a share of a league title. They just didn’t get the help they needed.
Demeyia Adams had 14 points and 15 rebounds, Marquia Suddeth added 12 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three steals and Heather West scored 12 points and added four assists and eight steals for South Lenoir (16-5, 10-3), which has been forced to play for a tie for second since Jacksonville Northside and East Duplin each won on Tuesday as well.
The Monarchs and Panthers are tied for first and play each other on Friday.
PAMLICO 63, JONES SENIOR 46: At Pamlico, the Trojans extended their losing streak to nine despite a huge double-double from freshman Franlena Brimage.
Brimage scored 26 points and grabbed 22 rebounds for Jones Senior (4-16, 0-9), which will miss the state playoffs unless it wins next week’s conference tournament.