Wayne Christian’s Justin Weaver (35) gets fouled from behind by a Rosewood defender during first-period action Friday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s tandem of Branson Martin, left, and DaQuan Stevens (30) foul Wayne Country Day’s Jeremiah Mercer on his way to the basket. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
James Kenan’s Stephone Stanley, left, attempts to block a shot by an Eastern Wayne player during their opening-round, FCA Winter Classic game.
Southern Wayne’s Ivory Moore (23) draws a charge against Wayne Prep Academy’s Gavin Proctor during second-quarter action Friday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Two-time defending Fellowship of Christian Athletes Winter Classic champion Wayne Country Day cruised into the semifinals Friday afternoon.
Jeremiah Mercer pumped in 28 points during the Chargers’ resounding, 85-41 conquest of North Duplin. Winners of 10 consecutive Classic games, WCDS faces a tougher challenge today.
Athletic and quick-paced Eastern Wayne (6-1 overall) set up a date with WCDS after it survived feisty James Kenan, 75-61, in their quarterfinal-round game. Michael Bailey posted a 32-point effort for the Warriors, who punched their first-ever ticket to the semifinals.
Game time is 5:30 p.m. today inside Kornegay Arena on the University of Mount Olive campus.
The other semifinal pits Wayne Christian and Wayne Prep Academy. Separated not even one mile apart down Patetown Road, the two schools have combined to play in the past four Classic finals.
Neither has hoisted the title trophy.
They tip off at 7 p.m.
Consolation-round play begins at 2 p.m. between county rivals North Duplin and James Kenan. They’ll be followed by Southern Wayne and Rosewood at 3:30 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 10 years old. Folks who can’t attend the games may follow a live webcast at team1sports.com.
Wayne Prep Academy 79, Southern Wayne 62
The Saints led 33-32 at halftime.
Gavin Proctor’s 3-pointer pushed the Generals ahead, 34-33, seconds into the third quarter. From that point, the teams traded 13 lead changes.
Matthew Rios gave Wayne Prep a 56-55 lead off Jermaine Parks’ offensive rebound and assist as time expired. That began an 8-0 run that carried over into the final period on Proctor’s two free throws with 3:36 on the clock.
Kairell Evans, who led all scorers with 31 points, ended Southern Wayne’s scoring drought with a basket underneath.
Wayne Prep responded with a game-deciding 12-5 run.
Demetrius Elliott and Jayden Hardy provided 11 points apiece for the Saints, who dropped to 1-5 overall.
Proctor paced four Generals in double figures with 22 points. Zach Golden tallied 16, followed by Jabrion Armstrong (12) and Banks (10).
Wayne Christian 61, Rosewood 55
Wayne Christian opened the game with an 11-0 run.
Rosewood missed its first nine shots until Braxson Waters nailed a 3-pointer in transition late in the opening quarter.
Jalen Watkins dominated the glass for Wayne Christian, which picked up its third Classic victory in its last four tries. He and teammate Josh Black collected 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Bryson Hobbs tickled the twine for a team- and game-high 23 points for Rosewood. Braxton Waters provided 11 points, while Tielen McCrae contributed 10.
Hunter Sasser scored eight.
Wayne Christian led 52-26 after three quarters.
Sasser’s 3-pointer off Waters’ assist created the final six-point margin with 3.3 seconds to go.
WCDS 85, North Duplin 41
The Chargers built a 23-point advantage after one quarter against over-matched Rebels, who continue to find their “basketball” shape after a stellar gridiron campaign this fall.
Donavan Armwood emerged as North Duplin’s top scorer with 11 points. Carson Barwick knocked down eight points, including six from 3-point range. Branson Martin and Lucas Dail scratched for six points apiece.
Point guard Luke Kelly tallied four.
Jaelen Solomon knocked down 21 points for the Chargers, whose rose to 12-3 overall this season. Spring Creek transfer Kam McDaniel chipped nine. Darrell Smith turned in eight points.
Eastern Wayne 75, James Kenan 61
Coming off a fifth-place finish in last year’s Classic, the Warriors could return to New Hope with some hardware.
However, they had to work in the final period.
Down 13 at the half, James Kenan converted three of its first four field goals to start the third quarter. They trailed 42-36 before Charlie Thomas halted the surge with an offensive putback.
Zamarion Smith grabbed an offensive rebound, got fouled and converted the free throw. The “and one” play pulled the Tigers even closer at 44-38 with 5:42 to go.
Thomas’ offensive swipe led to a basket.
Smith drained a 3-pointer.
The Warriors’ advantage dropped one more point, 46-41.
Eastern Wayne regained momentum with its athleticism, work on the offensive glass and steady transition play. The two-possession advantage quickly ballooned to 60-48 after three quarters.
Also coming off a conference-championship season in football, James Kenan (1-3) never recovered.
Smith led four players in double figures with 14. TJ Oates knocked down 13. Ty Wilson and Stephone Stanley supplied 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Thomas finished with 13 for the Warriors. Teammate Michael Lesanene, who transferred from North Duplin, added six. Izeiah Oates had five.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
2024 Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Winter Classic
(at Kornegay Arena, UMO)
Friday’s games
Game 1 — Wayne Christian 61, Rosewood 55
Game 2 — Wayne Prep 79, Southern Wayne 62
Game 3 — Wayne Country Day 85, North Duplin 41
Game 4 — Eastern Wayne 75, James Kenan 61
Today’s games
Game 5 — North Duplin (0-4) vs. James Kenan (1-3), 2 p.m.
Game 6 — Southern Wayne (1-5) vs. Rosewood (2-3), 3:30 p.m.
Game 7 — Wayne Country Day (12-3) vs. Eastern Wayne (7-1), 5 p.m.
Game 8 — Wayne Christian (2-5) vs. Wayne Prep Academy (10-3), 7 p.m.
Monday’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 p.m.
Championship
Game 12 — Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7 p.m.
