Triton split varsity basketball contests with visiting All American 3-A/4-A Conference and Harnett County rival Overhills on Tuesday night. The Hawks won the girls contest, but the Jaguars took the boys game.

Triton narrowly held off Overhills to win 41-40 in the girls game.

“In conference games and rivalries, it comes down to leadership,” said Triton girls coach Richard Rozier. “Tristan (Ennis) and Abby (Hood) really carried us tonight, especially on a down night for our guard play. They did a great job down the stretch just making veteran plays and we really needed it.”

Overhills girls coach Nicholas Lewis said the Jaguars were unable to come up with key rebounds they needed in the final stretch.

“I was really pleased,” Lewis said. “It was rough to start with and they were battling. Our senior point guard (Shetarra Paige) goes down with foul trouble and she fouls out fourth quarter. Then we just started trading baskets. But like I told the girls, when we needed a rebound in the last minute, they just outrebounded us. Tristan Ennis on her Senior Night just played big time for them.”

Junior Abby Hood had 12 points and nine rebounds and senior Tristan Ennis had nine points, 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Hawks (13-5, 7-5 AAC). All 12 of Hood’s points came in the fourth quarter.

“(Hood’s fourth quarter performance) was a great display of just fortitude and guts,” Rozier said. “I’m very proud of her for just picking it up at the right time.”

JaNiah Smith had eight points. Unique Cooke had six points and eight rebounds. A’Shari Watlington had six points.

Junior Lariya Hicks and freshman Morgan Williams had 14 points apiece to lead the Jaguars (10-10, 5-7).

“Morgan has been quiet the last few games, but as a freshman it was good to see her get rolling tonight,” Lewis said. “To see her come in when our senior leader is out and play those huge minutes, it was great.”

Sadyia Davis had five points. Shetarra Paige had four points. Eva McRae had two points. Kimora Lee had one point.

Prior to the game, Triton honored two seniors: Jaliyah McDougald and Tristan Ennis.

Triton held a 37-30 lead early in the fourth quarter when Overhills went on a 10-4 run. But after a three-pointer from Hicks in the waning seconds that cut the lead to one, Triton was able to successfully inbound the ball and run the clock out.

Overhills weathered a Triton rally and finished strong to win the boys game 57-44.

“The last time we played them, they had 24 offensive rebounds,” said Overhills boys coach Michael Stephens. “That was a glaring tell of what we really needed to focus on doing was make sure we covered up on the offensive glass and don’t give them anything. And then turnovers. Cut down on turnovers. We’ve been turning the ball over a lot. And so that was two things that we had to make sure that we didn’t do tonight and we did a good job tonight. I was proud of my guys working hard on those two aspects.”

Triton boys coach T.J. Morrison said not being able to get the necessary defensive stops in the fourth quarter was costly.

“We got down early and fought back,” Morrison said. “Proud of the guys. Proud of the effort. Third quarter, I think we gave up eight points. That’s our goal: less than 10 a quarter. Fourth quarter, a little disappointing. I think we gave up more than 20.”

Junior Jay Byron had 17 points, senior Ayden Gittens had 15 points and senior Damien Robinson had 11 points to pace the Jaguars (15-4, 8-3).

“Damien rebounded his butt off tonight,” Stephens said. “Him being able to get those boards really opened us up tonight being able to score and get down in transition.”

“No. 1 (Robinson) is a load inside,” Morrison said. “He’s a tough kid. No. 4 (Gittens) is really hard to guard. But No. 11 (Byron), in my opinion, he’s the most improved player in our conference. He went from not playing as much early in the year to he’s the catalyst. He’s the spark. He really has improved and is playing well.”

Yabdiel Cruz and Kevin Lalin had seven points apiece.

Junior Jalen Evans had 11 points, five assists and four steals and junior Will Heard had 11 points to lead the Hawks (9-13, 4-9).

J.J. Cowan had nine points. James Shaw had four points and six rebounds. Romello Pegues had four points. Sabine Wheeler had three points. Nate McKoy had two points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Before the game, Triton honored two seniors: Hayden Pope and Amir Jenkins.

After Overhills went on a 16-6 run through the first quarter, Triton chipped away at the lead, eventually cutting it down to two, ad 34-32 early in the fourth quarter.

But with Overhills holding a 38-36 lead, the Jaguars finished the game on a 19-8 run.

Overhills’ boys have a makeup game at conference opponent E.E. Smith on Wednesday before both Overhills teams host Pine Forest on Friday.

Triton’s girls host conference opponent Pine Forest for a makeup game on Thursday night before both Triton teams end the regular season at conference and county rival Harnett Central on Friday night.