CFCA girls edged in middle school tournament final

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Feb 21, 2020 | Cape Fear Christian Academy

Ella John Dupree uses her left hand to score on Wednesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Host Northwood Temple Academy topped Cape Fear Christian Academy, 30-24, in the championship game of the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference girls basketball tournament on Wednesday..

CFCA had a 13-3 lead early in the second quarter in its second loss to NTA.

The teams played Jan. 16 at NTA with the hosts taking a 42-37 win as Danauge Brooks scored 36 points.

CFCA limited Brooks to 21 in the tournament championship, but couldn’t get its shots to fall in the second half after holding a 15-11 lead at the break.

CFCA’s only losses were to Northwood as CFCA won the league regular-season and tournament runner-up trophies.

Ella John Dupree paced CFCA’s scoring on Wednesday with 11 points. Aubree Bass scored seven. Perri Caroline Ennis, Madeline Brocious and Laney Trainer added two points each.

CFCA had its last lead at 21-20 on a follow shot by Ennis with 1:20 left in the third quarter.

Nicole Raynor Cain is the NTA coach. She graduated from CFCA in 1990. Her nephews, Barrett Raynor and Patrick Raynor, played on the CFCA junior varsity and middle school boys teams, respectively, this season.

“A well-coached team with a lot of really good athletes,” said coach Cain of the CFCA middle school girls. “I love girls that give it their all. Looking forward to watching these girls continue to grow and play ball.”

The CFCA middle school girls basketball team is pictured above. Kneeling are Courtney Butts (left) and Lily Kate Dupree. On the second row, from left, are Savannah Autry, Laney Trainer, Aubree Bass, Perri Caroline Ennis, Ella John Dupree, Madeline Brocious and Bailey Dunn. In back are assistant Bill Parrish and coach Aaron Hardy. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)