Southern Wayne wrestler Zach Sauls takes a breather during a recent match. Sauls pinned an opponent from Smithfield-Selma during a non-conference, tri-meet held at Goldsboro on Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
GOLDSBORO — Five Southern Wayne grapplers posted a 2-0 record during a non-conference, tri-meet hosted by county rival Goldsboro inside Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium Tuesday evening.
The Saints defeated Quad County 3A rival Smithfield-Selma 48-36, but dropped a 36-45 decision to the Cougars.
Isaiah Smith (106 pounds), Oswaldo Quiroz (138), Dary Perez-Lucas (165), Gabe Carmack (170) and Yusef Ceballos (215) each ended the night unbeaten.
Zach Sauls (132), Amari Thomas (150) and heavyweight Chris Melvin each emerged victorious against Smithfield-Selma. The result didn’t count toward the regular-season QCC standings.
Southern Wayne finished 12-12 in contested matches and received two forfeits — one each against SSS and Goldsboro.
The Saints (4-6 overall) return to action Dec. 9 at the USAF Eagle Invitational, which is hosted by Rosewood. Opening-round matches in the individual tournament begin at 9 a.m.
ND girls rout Lejeune
CALYPSO — North Duplin launched its 2023-24 girls’ basketball campaign with a resounding, 62-14 thrashing of Lejeune on Tuesday evening.
Reece Outlaw poured in a game-high 25 points, and added two assists and three steals to her stat sheet. Backcourt mate Addy Higginbotham registered 12 points, six assists, seven steals and two rebounds.
Tateyawna Faison provided 11 points, three steals and six rebounds. Lilly Fulghum had eight points, while Meghan Martin collected two assists and four rebounds.
The Rebels (1-0 overall) entertain East Duplin on Friday.
Devilpups race past Rebels
CALYPSO — Four North Duplin players recorded double-digit scoring efforts during a season-opening, 85-70 loss to Lejeune Tuesday evening.
Micah Lesesane and transfer Dylan Tyndall paced the Rebels’ offense with 13 points apiece. Brady Byrd and Tev Collins posted 11 and 10 points, respectively. Branson Martin chipped in eight points.
Trashawn Ruffin pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds. Lesesane and Byrd notched seven and six rebounds, respectively.
“Being the first game of the year, I thought we played decent,” said ND head coach Jeff Byrd. “[We’re] not in basketball shape right now, got tired late in the game and got in foul trouble. [We were] only down five points [during the] first minute of the fourth quarter.
“Defensively we will get better once we understand what we are trying to do.”
Saints JV boys prevail
DUDLEY — CJ Hill led four Southern Wayne in double figures with 17 points during a come-from-behind, 60-55 conquest of James Kenan on Tuesday evening.
Demetrius Jones knocked down 16 points. Eli Avent and Khamyri Soule provied 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Zymeer Vick pumped in a game- and team-high 23 points for the Tigers. Jaden Moore scored 15 points, while Ivory Moore collected eight.
Southern Wayne entertains North Pitt on Friday.
