Gators’ No. 23 Cedric Lawson, delivers a strong block against Rebels’ No. 50 Noah Bennett. (Kareem Brown|mountolivetribune.com)
The Rebels got on the board first as No. 12 Holden Williams drew a foul and sank both free throws, setting the tone early. Spring Creek answered quickly with a basket from No. 23 Cedric Lawson, but North Duplin followed with a series of strong finishes, jumping ahead 6–2.
A powerful basket by No. 50 Noah Bennett extended the Rebels’ lead, prompting a Gators timeout as they searched for answers. The break gave Spring Creek new energy, and they responded with a quick basket. North Duplin countered by rotating in a fresh lineup, and No. 30 Christopher Kornegay immediately made an impact with a key basket.
Spring Creek stayed within striking distance thanks to a deep three from No. 14 Ethan Rivers, but the Rebels closed the quarter strong, taking a 20–10 lead into the second.
Second Quarter: Free Throws and Fast Breaks Fuel the Rebels
The Gators opened the quarter with a defensive spark as No. 14 Ethan Rivers stole the ball and drew a foul, hitting one of his free throws. The Rebels answered with a smooth layup from No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram, and momentum continued to swing back and forth.
Spring Creek’s No. 1 Jaayden McLean went 1 for 1 at the line, but North Duplin answered quickly with a basket from No. 20 Missiah Cooper. The Gators continued earning trips to the charity stripe sending No. 14 Ethan Rivers there multiple times but struggled to capitalize.
After a Gators timeout, Spring Creek cut into the deficit thanks to a much needed basket by No. 2 Darrius Edwards. Still, the Rebels responded with buckets from No. 12 Holden Williams and more free throws from No. 50 Noah Bennett, who went 1 for 1 this trip.
With North Duplin leading 29–18, the Gators pushed to regain momentum. No. 12 Tristan Pate added another bucket for Spring Creek, while the Rebels kept padding their lead from the line as No. 22 Lucas Gregory went 1 for 1.
A late Gators basket by No. 1 Jaayden McLean closed the half, but the Rebels maintained control, heading into the locker room up 35–29.
Halftime Recap: Rebels Dominate the Paint, Gators Stay Within Reach
North Duplin’s offense spread the ball well, scoring 20 points in the first quarter. No. 50 Noah Bennett controlled the paint, putting up six layups, while No. 22 Lucas Gregory was perfect from the free-throw line at the half.
Spring Creek surged back with 19 second-quarter points, led by No. 12 Tristan Pate’s free throws and inside scoring, along with key contributions from No. 14 Ethan Rivers, keeping the Gators within striking distance.
Third Quarter: Physical Play and Technicals Shake Up the Pace
Spring Creek opened the third with the ball and quickly earned free throws. No. 3 Hunter Gunn sank both, cutting into the Rebels’ advantage. North Duplin countered with a basket from No. 20 Missiah Cooper, holding onto the lead at 42–34.
A trip to the line for No. 12 Tristan Pate added one more for the Gators before emotions flared a technical foul on Spring Creek, followed shortly by one on North Duplin. After the chippy exchange, Coach Byrd responded by sending in an entirely new five.
Both teams traded free throws and baskets before the Rebels regained rhythm with another strong finish inside. Despite a layup from the Gators and free throws from No. 15 Treyshon Rivers, North Duplin surged ahead again behind a big layup from No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram.
The Rebels entered the final quarter leading 60–47.
Fourth Quarter: Gators Fight Back, but Rebels Hold Strong
With eight minutes left, the Rebels held a 59–47 advantage. Spring Creek tried to rally, as No. 1 Jaayden McLean completed a tough layup and one, trimming the margin to 10. But each time the Gators came close, North Duplin punched back this time with another basket by No. 50 Noah Bennett, regaining momentum.
After a Rebels timeout, Spring Creek scored again, but the Rebels refused to fold. No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram added yet another key basket. The Gators continued drawing fouls, but missed opportunities such as No. 23 Cedric Lawson’s two missed free throws slowed their comeback.
No. 10 Lucas Dail of the Rebels added a free throw, while Spring Creek’s No. 1 Jaayden McLean went 1 for 3 after being fouled on a three-point attempt. He later drained a big three-pointer but time ran out on the Gators’ rally.
Final Score: North Duplin Rebels 76, Spring Creek Gators 68
