Boys’ basketball
The Pinecrest boys snapped a two-game losing streak with a 62-58 win over Lee County. The win earned the Patriots their first conference win of the season and was enough to move Pinecrest past a slumping Union Pines in the Moore County rankings. Jaden Saunders had 15 points and Elijah Melton 13. Azir Gillespie had four steals. Pinecrest is now 7-4, 1-2 in the Sandhills.
The Union Pines boys lost their second straight game and fourth in the last five outings. Richmond blew the Vikings out on their home floor, 75-47. Jaylen Kyle got a double-double for Union Pines, scoring 20 and pulling down 10 rebounds. Zion Kiser had 12 points. The Vikings are now 9-5, 1-2 in the Sandhills Conference and will try to right the ship this week with home games against Hoke County and Southern Lee.
North Moore stood pat on a 5-6 record, 1-5 in the Mid-Carolina conference. The Mustangs will end an eight-day break with games against Chatham Central and at Northwood this week.
Moore County boys’ basketball power rankings
- Pinecrest
- Union Pines
- North Moore
Girls’ basketball
The Union Pines girls’ team lost their second straight game, falling at home to Richmond by a lopsided 73-40 score. The Vikings are still looking for their first 2023 win and are 7-7 on the year, 1-2 in the Sandhills.
The North Moore girls had a week to stew on their two-game losing streak. The Mustangs have lost five of their last six and will try to reverse their fortunes with a pair of showdowns against Chatham County teams—home against Chatham Central and on the road at Northwood. North Moore is 5-6 on the year, 1-5 in conference.
The Pinecrest girls split their two home games this week, winning a conference tilt over Lee County in overtime, 59-53. Zanodiya McNair had 24 points and Aniya McGregor 14 in the win, while Ava Depenbrock pulled down 11 rebounds. The Patriots then fell to South Mecklenburg, 58-40. They stand at 5-9, 2-1 in the Sandhills.
Moore County girls’ basketball power rankings:
- Union Pines
- North Moore
- Pinecrest
Wrestling
The Union Pines wrestling team posted five wins at the Bob Mauldin Mat News Classic over the weekend, beating Chester (SC), Marvin Ridge, Enka, Weddington and Hickory Ridge. The Vikings now have a 25-0 record this season in dual meets.
