North Duplin’s Donavan Armwood easily converts an open-court layup during first-quarter play against Lejeune. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin guard Branson Martin points out where a teammate needs to be on an offensive play against Lejeune. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Noah Price plays tight defense against Lejeune’s Elijah Winston on Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Noah Price plays tight defense against Lejeune’s Elijah Winston on Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Donavan Armwood guards Lejeune’s Deven Charles near midcourt Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Branson Martin (20) disrupts a shot by Lejeune’s Hayden Nail during first-half action Tuesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — The rebuilding process will take time.
After losing 10 key players from a year ago and a deep playoff run in football this season, North Duplin head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Byrd saw what he expected Tuesday evening.
“I thought the first quarter, you could tell we were tired … we’re nowhere near in basketball shape,” Byrd said after a 74-59 loss to Lejeune.
“We’ve only got four coming back off a 14-man roster. We’ve got a lot of young kids. Everybody got an opportunity to play so we could watch them.”
Donavan Armwood got ND off to a solid start.
He pumped in nine first-quarter points to help the Rebels seize a 19-10 lead at the 1:08 mark.
Lejeune pecked away at the deficit.
Fatigue and frustrated slowly surfaced for North Duplin early in the second quarter. Evan Velez’s basket off Isaac Shubner’s assist gave the Devilpups their first advantage, 23-22.
The contest featured two ties and three lead changes.
Armwood’s driving layup knotted the contest at 30-30 with less than 30 seconds before halftime. Connor Shea drained two free throws to put Lejeune in front, 32-30, at the break.
Deven Charles, who led all scorers with 34 points, spearheaded a 12-2 run to start the second half.
North Duplin closed to within 42-41 on baskets from Daquan Stevens (offensive putback), Anthony Kornegay (3-pointer) and Armwood.
Lejeune didn’t back down.
The Devilpups (2-1 overall) answered with a 13-6 run.
“I think we let our emotions get to us the second half,” Byrd said. “They were kind of physical there, we got out of control and weren’t patient with our offense. We got three-point happy, too. Missed some wide-open shots and made some turnovers, too.
“I expect that from some of these young kids.”
Lejeune opened the final quarter with a 10-2 run.
Charles did most of the damage on the offensive end and scored 11 consecutive points during one stretch.
The Devilpups claimed their fourth consecutive victory in the series and 17th overall in the last 26 meetings.
“He [Charles] will be as good as anybody we play [against],” Byrd said. “He’s pretty smooth with it.”
Armwood concluded the night with 28 points. Lucas Dail and Stevens provided eight points apiece. The Rebels ended up 8 of 11 at the free throw line as a team.
North Duplin (0-1) is the guest of East Duplin on Thursday and returns home Friday to face border rival Spring Creek. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.
“We exerted all of our energy to start with and that’s fine,” Byrd said. “We’re just trying to find our identity right now when you’re starting over. That’s a pretty good basketball team.
“We’ve got East Duplin, Spring Creek, then the [holiday] tournament, so we’ve got six games to help us get ready for conference.”
The Rebels claimed the Carolina 1A regular-season and tournament championships last season.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
