Boys’ basketball
The Union Pines boys have hit a slump. The Vikings lost two of three in holiday tournament action, then dropped their first game of the new year, 58-52, at Scotland. A 68-32 win over Western Harnett to close December broke up the three losses. In the two days prior, Union Pines fell to Overhills and Triton. Jaylen Kyle and Trent Hilburn tied for top scoring honors in two of the three holiday games, while Kingsley Donaldson led the way in the third. Union Pines is now 9-4, 1-1 on the year.
The Pinecrest boys dropped their first game of the new year, 61-43, against Southern Lee. That gives the Patriots a two-game losing streak. They closed December with a 52-39 loss to Fairmont. The Patriots are now 6-4 on the year, 0-2 in the Sandhills.
The North Moore boys snapped a two-game losing streak with a 65-27 win over Graham, earning their first conference win in the process. Earlier in the week, Moore suffered a 64-45 home loss to Seaforth and fell at Bartlett-Yancey, 65-54. Colby Pennington led the team in scoring in all three games, finishing with 25 against Graham. Austin Patterson and Michael Copeland each had a pair of double-digit scoring games in the week, while Dawson Futrell and Brady Preslar each hit double figures once. North Moore is now 5-6 on the year, 1-5 in conference.
Moore County boys’ basketball power rankings
- Union Pines
- Pinecrest
- North Moore
Girls’ basketball
The Union Pines’ girls’ team lost in their only contest of the week, traveling to Scotland and coming home with a 41-26 defeat. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Vikings, who won the last two games of holiday tournament play, over Enloe and East Chapel Hill. Alley Hise had 11 steals in the two wins. The Vikings are now 7-6, 1-1 on the year.
The North Moore girls lost back-to-back games to close out the week and have now lost five of their last six. A 45-42 win at Bartlett-Yancey to start the week was the only bright spot and the first conference win of the season for North Moore. The Mustangs then fell to Seaforth, 70-13, and Graham, 35-31. Calissa Clendenin was leading scorer in all three games. North Moore is now 5-6 on the year, 1-5 in conference play.
The Pinecrest girls won their first conference game to start the new year off right. The Patriots topped Southern Lee, 73-26, giving them two wins in their last three. They also picked up a 47-34 win over Southern Guilford in late December holiday action. Zanodiya McNair was leading scorer in the Southern Lee win, pouring in 21. Pinecrest is now 3-8, 1-1 in conference.
Moore County girls’ basketball power rankings:
- Union Pines
2. North Moore
3. Pinecrest
