North Duplin’s Donovan Armwood (44) draws Wilson Prep defender David Ellis into the paint and dishes the ball off to teammate Micah Lesesane during second-half play Tuesday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s DuJuan Armwood (10) has his shot contested by Wilson Prep center David Ellis. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Wilson Prep center David Ellis gets a big paw on a shot attempt by North Duplin’s Trashawn Ruffin. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s DuJuan Armwood (10) fights to keep possession of the ball against Wilson Prep’s Keontae Barron. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Dylan Tyndall, left, comes out of the game after taking an elbow to the left eye during early-half action against Wilson Prep. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
WILSON — Good endings leave lasting impressions.
Sad conclusions do the same.
In North Duplin’s case, a tough, season-ending loss doesn’t change the context of its historical run this winter.
The Rebels’ memorable hardcourt campaign ended with a 92-47 loss to defending state champion Wilson Prep Academy in round three of the NC High School Athletic Association Class 1A boys’ basketball playoffs Tuesday evening.
Top-seeded in the East, the Tigers (27-5 overall) entertain Southern Wake Academy in round four. The winner advances to the regionals in Winston-Salem.
“You can’t take anything away from them, they’ve got a helluva basketball team,” North Duplin head coach Jeff Byrd said. “I don’t see anybody beating them. I told the boys coming into tonight that the winner of this game will win the state championship, and I’ll stick with that.
“The first quarter, we just let our emotions get to us.”
North Duplin struggled from the opening tip.
Byrd watched his team miss shots inside the paint, give up numerous offensive putbacks and commit turnovers against WPA’s relentless defensive pressure.
The second-chance opportunities and miscues helped the Tigers build a 28-12 lead after one quarter. Not to mention, WPA stretched the Rebels’ defense by hitting 13 three-pointers on the night.
North Duplin trailed 52-29 at halftime.
With momentum clearly in its favor, Wilson Prep remained in its full-court press throughout the second half. The Tigers’ advantage swelled past the 40-point plateau with 90 seconds remaining in the third period.
One of six North Duplin seniors, DuJuan Armwood tallied 23 points. Brady Byrd and Micah Lesesane chipped in six apiece, while Tev Collins scratched for five points.
North Duplin concluded the year 17-10.
“None of them have any reason to hold their head down,” coach Byrd said. “It’s tough playing a charter school like them. They get the opportunity to go around and get kids. We’re just a little rural school with [a] 300-student body. You still got to play the game.
“Like I told my boys, we have nothing to be ashamed of nothing … nothing. Usually at the end of the year, I’m kind of down a lot, but I have no regrets from this year. They’ve done things this year that haven’t been done in a long time. Our seniors ought to be proud and enjoy what we’ve done this year.”
Indeed.
The Rebels claimed the program’s first-regular season Carolina 1A title since 2002 and first conference tournament crown since 1998. They advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2007 and won the school’s first playoff game since 1998.
This group made a third-round appearance for the first time since 1997.
“We started 4-9,” Byrd said. “Nobody thought we’d get this far. Nobody gave us a chance. We came together … one big family. I told these boys you’re going to remember this for the rest of your life. Hopefully, it will build [the program] for the future.”
