North Duplin junior guard Luke Kelly, left, and assistant coach Jamie Wallace watch action from the bench during a recent game. Kelly scored 13 points in the Rebels’ win Friday evening at Union. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Duplin County rivals North Duplin and James Kenan each emerged victorious on the hardwood Friday evening.
Rebels claim road win
ROSE HILL — Junior guard Luke Kelly pumped in 13 points during North Duplin’s 76-30 romp over Carolina 1A rival Union. The Rebels (11-9 overall, 7-1 Carolina) swept the regular-season series.
“Offensively, I thought we shot the ball better tonight than we have lately,” said ND head coach Jeff Byrd, whose team outscored the Spartans 29-6 in the second quarter.
“We moved the ball around, which led to better shot selection. Defensively, we were pretty solid.”
North Duplin can clinch the regular-season Carolina title at home Tuesday against Rosewood.
Tigers triumph
La GRANGE — Jamaury Coe paced three players in double figures with 12 points as James Kenan turned back East Central 2A rival North Lenoir, 55-45, at venerable Wooten Gym.
“Our defense and toughness were the key takeaways,” fourth-year Tigers head coach Taylor Jones said. “Our guys have grown so much this season. We need to be better as a rebounding team and we have grown as a rebounding team, which is why we continue to have success. We passed the ball extremely well with 65 percent of our points coming off of the assist.
“We were balanced offensively, passed well, defended with a purpose, held our own on the glass, and play well together.”
TJ Oates knocked down 10 points. Kel Artis just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Tyquise Wilson provided six points, six assists and four steals.
James Kenan (13-6 overall) improved to 7-3 against ECC opposition this season. Tuesday evening, the Tigers welcome Southwest Onslow to Harmon Gym and conclude regular-season play Friday at Wallace-Rose Hill.
“This last week is a big week for us,” Taylor said. “We have had a very good season so far and continue to grow. Nothing is guaranteed this week either than we need to give ourselves a chance each night at home against the potential best team in our conference and on the road against our rival.
“I’m excited for us to get to play in these games and the goal is to see if we have improved as much as I think we have.”
