North Duplin head varsity boys’ basketball coach Jeff Byrd gives a thumbs-up during the closing seconds during a victory over Rosewood. The Rebels earned the program’s first regular-season conference title in 22 years and finished 9-1 in Carolina 1A play after a two-point road win Thursday evening at Hobbton. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
NEWTON GROVE — North Duplin polished off its first Carolina 1A regular-season conference championship in 22 seasons with a highly-contested, 53-51 conquest of Hobbton.
It was the regular-season finale for both teams.
Micah Lesesane poured in a team-high 20 points for the Rebels, who finished their league campaign 9-1. DuJuan Armwood, ranked among the conference’s top five scorers, knocked down 18 points.
“Typical rival game … throw the records out when these two teams play,” ND head coach Jeff Byrd said. “Wasn’t one of our better defensive nights, but when you go on the road and win, it’s a big win.
“We made some big free throws at the end of the game.”
North Duplin (13-9 overall) is the No. 1 seed for the season-ending conference tournament, which begins Monday. The Rebels will host the semifinals and finals.
The pairings and game times have not been announced.
