WARSAW — The game began with both teams showcasing strong defense, but it was the Tigers who were first to strike. David Zelaya opened the scoring with a layup, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. South Lenoir responded with a three-pointer to take the early advantage, but Zelaya’s quick thinking put the Tigers back in front with another layup, bringing the score to 4-2.
South Lenoir showed off their finesse with a fashionable layup, but the Tigers quickly answered with an airball from TJ Oates at the 5:15 mark. Khamyri Soule then hit a three-pointer, pulling the Tigers ahead once again, 5-4. The Blue Devils countered with a three-pointer, but Soule hit another three, and after a missed rebound from the Tigers, South Lenoir managed a couple of inside baskets, putting them up 10-5.
Despite the offensive struggles early on, the Tigers’ defense held steady. Tyquise Wilson hit one of two foul shots, and Hall added two more points from the line. The quarter ended with South Lenoir holding a slim 10-9 lead, but James Kenan was already beginning to show signs of life.
The second quarter began with the Tigers working their way back into the game. Tyquise Wilson opened the quarter with one of two free throws to tie the game at 10-10. Unfortunately, a quick steal by South Lenoir led to another basket, giving them a 12-10 advantage. The Tigers continued to struggle with turnovers as Soule missed a three-pointer, and Wilson missed a foul shot on the next possession.
South Lenoir had its share of difficulties as well, with missed foul shots and turnovers that halted their momentum. However, the Tigers’ defense ramped up. Khamyri Soule intercepted a pass and found Oates for a fast-break layup, which helped put James Kenan up 14-12.
At 3:33, a timeout was called with the score at 23-19 in favor of the Tigers. Jeremiah Hall, who had been solid on defense all game, made two crucial free throws to extend the lead to 25-19. South Lenoir tried to answer, but missed opportunities at the foul line and some erratic play kept them from closing the gap.
As the quarter came to a close, Soule hit another three-pointer, and Oates made a fast-break layup, pushing the Tigers’ lead to 27-20. South Lenoir struggled to gain any momentum, and the Tigers took a seven-point lead into halftime.
The second half opened with South Lenoir trying to claw back into the game. A pair of baskets from the Blue Devils cut the Tigers’ lead to just three points, 31-24. But the Tigers responded swiftly. Zelaya, who had been a key defensive presence, made a layup, and Hall followed up with another easy two points to make it 31-27.
A critical foul shot from Oates at 3:08 gave the Tigers a 36-27 lead. South Lenoir’s shooters began to struggle as the Tigers applied more pressure, forcing turnovers. Despite a quick transition layup from South Lenoir, the Tigers’ defense never relented, with Soule sinking a clutch three-pointer to give James Kenan a 40-32 lead. Oates scored on another fast break, and by the end of the quarter, the Tigers led 41-34.
With the game winding down, the Tigers held onto their lead. However, South Lenoir mounted one last challenge, with two quick baskets cutting the lead to just 40-38. Soule answered back with a critical three-pointer, and Oates followed suit with a three of his own, making it 43-38. South Lenoir was determined to keep fighting and responded with another layup.
With 5:38 remaining, Oates picked up his fourth personal foul, which put a damper on the Tigers’ offense. However, the defense continued to shine, and Hall added two more foul shots to extend the lead to 46-40. South Lenoir struggled at the free-throw line, missing several crucial opportunities to make a comeback.
The Tigers held their composure as the game entered the final moments. Oates made a layup to push the lead to 49-43, but South Lenoir refused to go away. A layup from the Blue Devils, followed by another failed foul shot attempt, narrowed the deficit to 49-46 with under two minutes remaining. The tension was palpable as the Blue Devils found themselves in a must-score situation.
Despite a missed layup by South Lenoir, the Tigers kept possession, and Hall made a layup to make it 52-46. South Lenoir managed a critical foul shot attempt, which they missed, but the Tigers couldn’t fully pull away. With just 43 seconds left, South Lenoir made another layup, narrowing the lead to 52-50.
James Kenan kept the Blue Devils at bay with a last-second free throw from Wilson, which gave them a 53-50 lead. South Lenoir had a final chance, but their layup attempt was off the mark, and the Tigers held on for the victory.
In the final seconds, Zelaya grabbed a key rebound and found Soule for a last-second shot, giving the Tigers a 55-52 victory as the buzzer sounded.