Dunn wins pair at Central, Greenwave boys move to 9-0

Dunn took a middle school basketball sweep on the road against Harnett Central on Thursday.

After a strong start, Dunn held off a second-half Harnett Central rally to win the girls game 39-35.

JaNiah Smith paced the Greenwaves (6-3) with 23 points.

Chyna Massey had nine points. Stephanie Davis, Unique Cooke and Shyanne Markham had two points apiece. Evie Eller had one point.

Sondra Berry had nine points and Victoria Langdon had eight points to lead the Raiders.

Leah Greer and Avery Fortune had seven points apiece and Tanira Edwards had four points.

Dunn opened the game on a 13-2 run through the first quarter and maintained that nine point lead, as both teams scored 11 points in the second quarter. Dunn led 24-13 at halftime.

Defense and second chance opportunities from a strong rebounding effort helped Central rally in the third quarter, as the Raiders outscored the Greenwaves 7-0 in the third to cut the lead to 24-20.

Central stayed within striking distance in the fourth, but 5-for-8 shooting at the free throw line in the closing minutes helped Dunn stay in front and hold off the Raiders. Both teams tallied 15 points in the fourth quarter.

In the boys game, Dunn remained unbeaten by winning a 56-21 rout against Harnett Central.

Ro’mello Pegues had 17 points and Qua’Shaun Williams had 12 points to lead the Greenwaves (9-0).

ZyQuan Smith had eight points. Nick Roberson had six points. Ahmad Morris had five points. Matthew Strickland had four points. Ezekial Dixon and Avery Ellington had two points apiece.

Evan Patterson had six points and Josh Eason had five points to lead the Raiders.

Kendarious Smith and Aiden Taylor had three points apiece and Brantley Champion and Larionte Pipkin had two points apiece.

Dunn outscored Central 19-4 in the first quarter, 17-10 in the second and 18-2 in the third. With the clock continuously running throughout the fourth quarter, Central outscored Dunn 5-2.

Dunn travels to rival Coats-Erwin and Harnett Central is at Highland on Monday.