North Duplin’s No. 10 Maggie Brown fighting to keep possession of the ball with heavy defense by the Eagles.
North Duplin’s No. 22 Lucas Gregory, creates space and knocks down a big jump shot to give the Rebels the edge in the first half.
The North Duplin Rebels and Wayne Christian Eagles squared off in an intense matchup that featured tough defense, timely shooting, and momentum swings throughout all four quarters. In the end, the Rebels’ composure and dominance in the paint proved to be the difference, as they secured a 54–49 victory.
First Quarter: Slow Start, Tight Finish
Wayne Christian struck first, with No. 4 Dejuan Beman getting the Eagles on the board by going 1-for-1 from the free-throw line. Offense came at a premium early, as both teams struggled to find rhythm. The Eagles returned to the line once again, with No. 4 Dejuan Beman knocking down another free throw.
North Duplin finally answered when No. 33 Carrell Phillips scored the Rebels’ first basket, followed by a bucket from No. 14 Quan Stevens to give the Rebels a brief lead. Wayne Christian responded with a jump shot to even things up. The Rebels regained the advantage when No. 14 Quan Stevens went to the line and converted one of two free throws.
The Eagles answered back with a basket of their own, but North Duplin closed strong as No. 20 Missiah Cooper scored late. However Wayne Christian had the final say of the quarter when No. 32 Titus Robinson hit a buzzer-beater to end the first period deadlocked and full of energy.
Second Quarter: Momentum Swings and Big Shots
North Duplin opened the second quarter with a basket by No. 20 Missiah Cooper but Wayne Christian quickly responded with a layup from No. 32 Titus Robinson. The Eagles pushed the pace and scored again, only for No. 20 Missiah Cooper to knock down a jump shot to keep the Rebels ahead by three.
After an Eagles timeout, No. 40 Wilder Philips drained a big three-pointer to tie the game. North Duplin answered immediately, as No. 50 Noah Bennett buried a three-pointer of his own. Another Eagles timeout followed, but the Rebels stayed aggressive. A steal by No. 14 Quan Stevens led to a heavily contested layup, igniting the Rebels’ bench.
Wayne Christian refused to fade, as No. 40 Wilder Philips connected on another tough three-pointer. North Duplin countered with a basket by No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram while the Eagles struggled at the free-throw line. Late in the quarter, No. 35 Justin Weaver sank both free throws for Wayne Christian to keep it close heading into halftime.
Halftime Score: North Duplin Rebels 20, Wayne Christian Eagles 19
Third Quarter: Rebels Build Momentum
North Duplin came out of the locker room firing. No. 14 Quan Stevens scored first, followed by a basket from No. 10 Lucas Dail and another from No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram as the Rebels tried to create separation. Wayne Christian finally broke through with a much-needed basket, then added another by No. 32 Titus Robinson to trim the lead.
The Rebels responded immediately with yet another basket from No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram, as both teams traded scores. A clutch three-pointer by No. 22 Lucas Gregory gave North Duplin a three-point advantage. Wayne Christian continued to battle, earning trips to the line, but could only convert one free throw.
The Rebels closed the quarter strong with a layup by No. 30 Christopher Kornegay, a big defensive block from No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram, and a steady trip to the line from No. 12 Holden Williams. Another layup by No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram capped off a productive quarter for North Duplin.
Fourth Quarter: Rebels Finish the Job
North Duplin opened the final period with a basket by No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram but Wayne Christian stayed within striking distance with a three-pointer and a quick layup. The Rebels answered by continuing to dominate the paint, as No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram scored again.
The Eagles kept fighting, with No. 4 Dejuan Beman hitting a big three and No. 0 Jo McFarland scoring after a block on the defensive end. Still, North Duplin refused to let go of control. No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram scored once more, forcing an Eagles timeout.
After the break, the Rebels stayed locked in. No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram added another basket, No. 50 Noah Bennett knocked down a score of his own, and No. 33 Carrell Phillips energized the home crowd with a strong finish inside. Wayne Christian earned trips to the line but could not fully capitalize.
Late in the game, the Rebels sealed the victory when No. 32 Jae’lyn Ingram sank two free throws following a technical foul on the Eagles. With time running out, North Duplin maintained control and closed out the win.
Final Score: North Duplin Rebels 54, Wayne Christian Eagles 49
Lady Rebels roll past Lady Eagles in commanding victory
The North Duplin Lady Rebels delivered an impressive performance from start to finish, defeating the Wayne Christian Lady Eagles 54–42 in a well-controlled matchup highlighted by strong scoring runs, defensive pressure, and clutch free throws.
First Quarter: Fast Start Fuels Rebel Momentum
The Lady Rebels wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking first with a basket by No. 32 Abigeal Brown followed quickly by another score from No. 3 Abby Rose. Wayne Christian called an early timeout, but momentum stayed with North Duplin.
After a blocked ball out of bounds by No. Maggie Brown of the Rebels, the Eagles earned a trip to the free-throw line, where No. 25 AJ Verme converted one shot. North Duplin answered as No. 11 Lilly Fulghum went 1-for-1 at the line, keeping the Rebels in control.
The Eagles managed a basket, but the Rebels quickly responded with a big three-pointer by No. 12 Reagan Herring to take an early 8–3 lead. North Duplin continued to pour it on with a layup from No. 11 Lilly Fulghum and another basket by No. 3 Abby Rose. By the end of the first quarter, the Rebels were cruising and firmly in control.
Second Quarter: Rebels Run Away With It
North Duplin opened the second quarter with a free throw from No. 3 Abby Rose. Wayne Christian answered with a basket by No. 2 Addie Harrelson but the Rebels stayed aggressive as No. 12 Reagan Herring knocked down a jump shot.
A rebound and basket by No. 3 Abby Rose extended the lead before the Eagles tried to spark a comeback with a jump shot from No. 25 AJ Verme After a Rebels timeout, North Duplin briefly struggled to score, but the Eagles couldn’t capitalize.
The Rebels quickly regained rhythm with back-to-back baskets by No. 3 Abby Rose and another score by No. 11 Lilly Fulghum. North Duplin continued to dominate, adding yet another basket by No. 11 Lilly Fulghum and one more from No. 3 Abby Rose.
Wayne Christian finally stopped the scoring drought with a basket, but No. 3 Abby Rose drew a foul and converted at the line. Just before the buzzer, No. 3 Abby Rose scored again, thrilling the home crowd and sending the Rebels into halftime with a commanding lead.
Halftime Score: North Duplin Lady Rebels 28, Wayne Christian Lady Eagles 14
Third Quarter: Eagles Fight, Rebels Respond
Both teams struggled to find the basket early in the third quarter. Wayne Christian broke through first, but North Duplin answered quickly with a basket from No. 10 Maggie Brown.
A foul sent the Rebels to the line, where No. 3 Abby Rose went 1-for-1. The Eagles continued pushing for a comeback, as No. 25 AJ Verme scored while drawing a foul. North Duplin responded with a big three-pointer by No. 3 Abby Rose, though the Eagles answered with a two-point jump shot.
The Rebels stayed steady with a basket by No. 32 Abigeal Brown but Wayne Christian refused to give up, scoring again through No. 25 AJ Verme. Despite the effort, North Duplin remained firmly in control heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Rebels Close It Out
With eight minutes remaining, North Duplin held a 38–27 lead, but Wayne Christian was still within striking distance. The Rebels struck first with a basket by No. 11 Lilly Fulghum, only for the Eagles to answer once again through No. 25 AJ Verme.
North Duplin extended the lead with a basket by No. 3 Abby Rose, but Wayne Christian responded with a big three-pointer from No. 2 Addie Harrelson. Rebels coaches Korngay and Wolfe called a timeout with 4:35 remaining to regroup and finalize the game plan.
After the timeout, No. 10 Maggie Brown was to the line, where she converted. Moments later, the Rebels came up with a huge steal, leading to a momentum-shifting three-pointer by No. 11 Lilly Fulghum that energized the crowd.
The Eagles found a basket from No. 35 Ana Gray and called a timeout, but North Duplin continued to control the pace. Offensive fouls and missed opportunities stalled the Eagles, while the Rebels capitalized at the free-throw line. No. 11 Lilly Fulghum and No. 3 Abby Rose both knocked down key shots as Wayne Christian entered the bonus.
Despite late three-pointers by the Eagles, including one at the buzzer, time was not on their side. The Lady Rebels stood tall, sealing a strong and well-earned victory.
Final Score: North Duplin Lady Rebels 54, Wayne Christian Lady Eagles 42
