The Harnett Strong Ballers won the ninth-grade championship in the Dunn PAL Tournament.

The Harnett Strong Ballers captured a pair of championships in the Dunn PAL Tournament.

In the ninth-grade championship at Triton, the Strong Ballers turned back Carolina RISE, 56-43, in the final.

The tournament run includes wins Saturday over Carolina B.C., 72-42, and Carolina United (Lowell), 69-20.

The Ballers defeated Carolina B.C., again, 68-41, in the semifinals on Sunday.

Dwain Ellis coaches the Ballers’ ninth-grade team. Ricky Scarborough is assistant coach. Ellis coaches the varsity boys and girls at Cape Fear Christian Academy. Ellis reached the third round of the NCISAA 1-A playoffs with each team in 2022-23.

Players include Jamaury Taylor, Zavion Smith, Carter Morrison, Jayden Williams, Caden Scarborough, Elijah Ellis, Alex Parker, Jayden Wright, Justin Chestnut and Lathan Wilborn.

Eighth-grade

The eight-graders’ run at the P.K. Vyas Recreation Center in Dunn included wins Saturday over the NC Nets, 67-52, and Team Breakout 14U, 60-28.

The Ballers rolled past ALL-IN, 51-9, on Sunday at Coats-Erwin Middle School before posting a 76-28 win over the 7th Nation Warriors.

On Sunday afternoon at the Vyas Center, the Ballers beat Robeson United, 56-49, before takinmg a 60-38 win over the Dunn PAL Wildcats for the championship.

Matthew Beasley is the eighth-grade coach. He is assisted by Bill Parrish, Tyler Hoskins and David Okropiridze. Beasley coaches the junior varsity boys at Cape fear Christian Academy. He guided CFCA to the Mid-Carolina Conference regular season and tournament championships.

Players include Ethan Beasley, Cymani Surles, Brandon Surles, Cade Godwin, Connor Parrish, Landon Pope, Grayson Avent, Lathan Wilborn, Kayden Dunkins, Walker Johnson, Colson Shipwash and Fisher Stancil.

The Strong Ballers pictured above captured the eighth-grade PAL title.