Austin Locklear goes to the basket for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
The Cape Fear Christian Academy varsity boys basketball team faced a 39-30 deficit at halftime against visiting Crossroads Christian of Henderson in the second round of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A playoffs on Thursday night.
The Eagles came back to lead 66-56 with just over three minutes remaining before advancing with a 72-70 victory.
CFCA, the No. 7 seed for the state tournament, visits second-seeded Greenfield, the defending champions, on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the third round.
Greenfield (28-6) took an 83-65 win in the Eagles’ gym on Dec. 10, despite 31 points by Austin Locklear.
A pair of double-doubles were pivotal for CFCA (15-11) after a nine-day layoff since the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament. Jeremyah McWilliams had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Tako had 16 points and 12 rebounds. McWilliams was nine of 12 from the field.
Locklear had 16 points, making all four of his free throws. Jamael Carter was seven of eight at the line in adding 11 points. Carter had three assists and three steals.
Silla Tako had eight points. Greg Moneymaker added three points and four assists.
Taylor Bell led the Colts (15-12) with 33 points and Zach Murphy scored 23.
“Those two guys are good and their other guys made some shots when they had to,” said Eagles coach Kalen Eddings.
The Eagles made 19 of 25 foul shots, 76 percent.
A free throw by Paul Tako provided a 72-68 lead with 21.7 seconds to go. Paul Tako had a defensive rebound with 12 seconds left. Bell drove and scored for the Colts just before time ran out.
Jamael Carter focuses on a free throw for Cape Fear Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
CFCA junior Paul Tako looks for a path to the basket on Thursday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Alijah Miles handles the ball for the Eagles in the first half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Austin Locklear shoots a 3-pointer in a 72-70 win Thursday night at CFCA.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Jamael Carter starts to drive against Crossroads Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Austin Locklear draws a foul in the second round of the NCISAA playoffs.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Greg Moneymaker led the Eagles in assists with four.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Silla Tako moves the ball up the floor for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Silla Tako of CFCA dunks for two of his eight points off the bench.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Jeremyah McWilliams dunks in a double-double for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
