Truman Claytor makes an inbounds pass at Northwood.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity boys basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit for a 71-66 win on Tuesday night at Northwood Temple in the Sandhills Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

CFCA improved to 14-6 overall with a balanced scoring effort that included 17 points from Caden Bell, 15 from Cinque Lemon, 12 from Jabare Perry and 12 from Tristen Harkins.

Truman Claytor added seven points, Sila Tako had six before fouling out and Zeke Brock tallied two in the victory.

A 10-0 run helped CFCA tie the score at 48 going into the fourth quarter. CFCA opened the final period with a 14-4 flurry.

Defensive rebounding and an effective press break helped CFCA hold off the program that won the 2020 NCISAA 1-A championship. NTA moved to the 2-A classification this school year.

NTA took a 39-34 win in the varsity girls game although CFCA came back after trailing 13-2 at the outset. Leah Brannon led the CFCA girls with 10 points and Gracie Byrd scored nine.

Reyna Johnson had five points. Meredith Taylor and Ella John Dupree each scored four points. Madeline Brocious added two points.

The CFCA girls host Clinton on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

All of the CFCA upper school teams have league games at Village Christian on Friday.

Caden Bell prepares for a free throw late in the game.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Tristen Harkins brings the ball across the midcourt line.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Jabare Perry does some pregame stretching.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Cinque Lemon drives to the basket for Cape Fear Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

CFCA coach Bobby Lamb instructs the varsity girls on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Leah Brannon defends for the Cape Fear Christian girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Reyna Johnson shoots for CFCA at Northwood.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)