Eastern Wayne’s JQ Carr has his shot blocked from behind by James Kenan’s DeMarion Artis (23) during second-half action Wednesday evening. Defending the play is Artis’ teammate, Hassan Kornegay. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
James Kenan’s TJ Oates, with ball, catches Eastern Wayne defender Zavion Burden in the air as he attempts to score during play Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Eastern Wayne’s Izeiah Oates (5) knocks the ball away from James Kenan’s Stephone Stanley (3), while teammate TJ Oates trails on the play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
James Kenan’s Hassan Kornegay, with ball, drives toward the baseline against an Eastern Wayne defender Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Rosewood’s Devin Reece, left, draws a charge against Wayne Country Day’s Jeremiah Thompson during their game Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne Country Day’s Jeremiah Mercer (12) eyes the basket as Rosewood’s David Lamm defends Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne Country Day’s Jaelen Solomon (21) looks for an open teammate after grabbing a rebound in front of Rosewood’s Devin Reece Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Luke Kelly (34) gets ready to pass the ball around Wayne Prep defender Gavin Proctor during second-half action. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Luke Kelly, right, tosses the ball to teammate Dylan Tyndall (12) after Brady Byrd, left, forced a turnover against Wayne Prep. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Micah Lesasane (40) knocks the ball away from Wayne Pre’s Ty Johnson during first-half play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne Prep’s Micah Smith (21) goes up to score as North Duplin’s Dylan Tyndall defends during first-half action Wednesday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin guard Brady Byrd, left, looks for an open teammate against Wayne Prep’s Ty Johnson during first-half play Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne Christian’s Jackson Fox (14) attempts to draw a charging foul against Southern Wayne’s Karius Bellamy on Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Chris Carmon (1) scores as Wayne Christian’s Nathan Rusmussen, right) and Blake Easom defend during first-half play Wednesday afternoon. Watching is the Saints’ Dorien Toussaint. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Karius Bellamy, left, works to keep possession against Wayne Christian’s Tommy Brown during first-half action Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Ty Williams (3) pulls down a rebound in front of Wayne Christian’s Jackson Fox during opening-half play Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wayne Christian’s Nathan Rasmussen (35) tries to muscle his way past Southern Wayne’s Ty Williams on the baseline during first-period play Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
James Kenan won a nail-biter. Southern Wayne dropped a heart-breaker. And, Wayne Prep Academy and perennial independent powerhouse Wayne Country Day each dominated its respective opponent.
That’s how opening day of the 11th annual Greater Neuse River Fellowship of Christian Athletes Winter Classic concluded Wednesday.
The three-day event continues today.
In the consolation bracket, Eastern Wayne squares off against Rosewood at 2 p.m., while Southern Wayne challenges North Duplin at 3:30 p.m.
James Kenan takes on Wayne Country Day at 5:30 p.m. in the first semifinal. Wayne Christian and Wayne Prep battle in the second semifinal at 7 p.m. The two survivors meet for the Classic crown Friday.
Admission is $10.
James Kenan 48, Eastern Wayne 46
One of the team’s most-consistent players through five games, TJ Oates delivered in the clutch against the Warriors.
The junior drained two free throws with 7.1 seconds remaining, which vaulted the Tigers into the Classic semifinals for the first time in three tries. Oates finished with 10 points.
James Kenan (3-2 overall) led 44-37 with 2:38 to go.
The Warriors pulled to within 44-42. Sophomore Charlie Thomas converted an offensive putback. Junior Bobby Tann supplied a free throw. Tann capped the short, scoring burst with an open-court layup off Tavorus Dunn’s assist.
Tann’s two free throws knotted the contest at 46-46 with 17.5 seconds on the clock. He ended the night with five points.
Izeiah Oates paced Eastern Wayne with 10 points. Thomas and JQ Carr wound up with eight points apiece. Nyquan Smith collected six points, followed by Zavion Burden with five.
Stephone Stanley complemented Oates with a 19-point effort.
Wayne Christian 61, Southern Wayne 55
The Saints opened the third quarter strong.
Down by nine at the break, sophomore Hayden Waller capped a 17-7 run with 3-pointer. His long-distance connection kept the opening-round contest close.
Kairel Evans’ 3-pointer off Chris Carmon’s assist pushed Southern Wayne in front, 40-38, to start the final period. The Eagles tied it at 40-40 before Carmon swished a short jumper in the lane.
Wayne Christian (6-0) answered with a 14-2 run.
Eli Anderson drained three 3-pointers during the decisive offensive uprising, and logged 28 points in the scorebook. Six of the senior’s nine field goals came from behind the arc.
Blake Easom contributed 10 points for the Eagles.
Carmon tallied 21 points for the Saints. Waller chipped in 12 points, while Evans provided 11. The duo combined for six 3-pointers in the second half.
Southern Wayne (3-5) played without Jayden Hardy, who will miss the Classic due to family obligations. The Saints dropped to 1-6 in the tournament since 2021.
Wayne Prep 81, North Duplin 64
Classic runners-up each of the past three years, the talent-ladened Generals dictated the tempo from the opening tip. They built a 16-point cushion after one quarter.
Junior guard Isaiah Thomas collected 13 of his game-high 23 points in the second half. Jai Long registered 17 points. Senior Christian Coles and sophomore Ty Johnson supplied 10 and nine points, respectively.
Senior DuJuan Armwood recorded 20 points – his third straight 20-point outing of the season. Michael Lesasane delivered 14 points, while Dylan Tyndall scored 10. Tev Collins registered nine points – all in the second half.
North Duplin sophomore Trashawn Ruffin watched from the bench in street clothes. The 6-foot-3, 307-pounder endured a knee injury last week.
WCDS 60, Rosewood 35
Three-time reigning Classic champion Wayne Country Day didn’t look polished from start to finish, but reeled off its 10th consecutive tournament victory in convincing fashion.
The Chargers overwhelmed the Eagles in transition and capitalized on numerous turnovers.
KJ Jones led a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. Jaelen Solomon scratched for 11 points. Camden Tyler tallied nine points, while teammates Kayla Coles and Carlos Vazquez dropped in eight points apiece.
Cam Medlin emerged as the Eagles’ offensive leader with eight points. David Lamm, DJ Deal and Julius Coltrane each knocked down six points.
11th Annual
Greater Neuse River
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Winter Classic
(at Kornegay Arena, UMO)
Wednesday’s games
Game 1: Wayne Christian 61, Southern Wayne 55
Game 2: Wayne Prep Academy 81, North Duplin 64
Game 3: Wayne Country Day 60, Rosewood 35
Game 4: James Kenan 48, Eastern Wayne 46
Today’s games
Game 5: Eastern Wayne (3-6) vs. Rosewood (5-3), 2 p.m.
Game 6: Southern Wayne (3-5) vs. North Duplin (3-4), 3:30 p.m.
Game 7: Wayne Country Day (8-6) vs. James Kenan (3-2), 5:30 p.m.
Game 8: Wayne Christian (6-0) vs. Wayne Prep (7-7), 7 p.m.
Friday’s games
Seventh Place
Game 9: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 2 p.m.
Fifth Place
Game 10: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 3:30 p.m.
Third Place
Game 11: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 5:30 p.m.
Championship
Game 12: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7 p.m.
