Hawks sweep at Harnett Central, varsity boys will meet again Tuesday night

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Feb 18, 2024 | Articles, Triton

Ahmad Morris scores for the Hawks on Friday night at Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Triton finished its regular season with an All American Conference basketball sweep at Harnett Central on Friday night.

The Hawks took a 55-48 victory in the junior varsity boys game before posting a 63-35 triumph in the varsity girls matchup.

Triton got its fourth win a row in the varsity boys contest, 46-42, improving to 18-6 overall and 11-3 in league play.

Varsity boys

The Hawks faced a 14-2 deficit after eight minutes but cut the margin to 23-15 at the half.

“Tough game,” said Triton coach T.J. Morrison. “We just couldn’t get shots to fall early. They had a good game plan.”

The Hawks lost Romello Pegues, the team’s top scorer at 15.7 points per game, to an ankle injury in the first quarter.

Triton outscored the hosts on their Senior Night, 31-19, in the second half as A.J. Dewar led the Hawks with 12 points, on four 3-pointers after intermission.

“Our kids stayed strong and found a way to fight back,” Morrison said.

J.J. Cowan and Jamaury Taylor had nine points each in the win. Brandon Surles added eight points.

Ahmad Morris had five points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocked shots for Triton.

Central (7-14, 2-12 AAC) was led by senior Quan Dixon with 14 points. Kyrese Williams and Jamaury Haywood had 11 points each.

The teams meet again on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Triton in the first round of the conference tournament. The Hawks are the No. 2 seed and the Trojans are seeded seventh.

The Overhills boys play Terry Sanford in the first game at Triton on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Varsity girls

Neveah Hawley had 24 points and Nashara McNeil-Watlington scored 21 for the Lady Hawks (13-11, 4-10 AAC), who will play at Westover in the first round of the AAC Tournament on Tuesday.

A’shari Watlington added 10 points for the Triton girls. Hawley had nine rebounds in the win, Iliana Eason grabbed six and Zion Cameron pulled down five.

A’shari Watlington and Eason each had four assists.

Central (6-15, 1-13) had balanced scoring which included Sasha Blevins with seven points, Nyiah Cummings (6), TaNira Edwards (6), Sondra Berry (5), Leah Greer (5), Victoria Langdon (4) and Nevaeh Spearman (2).

The Lady Trojans visit top-seeded Terry Sanford on Tuesday in the first round of the AAC Tournament.

Jamaury Taylor goes to the basket for Triton in a 46-42 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

J.J. Cowan focuses on a free throw for the final point for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Kyrese Williams scores for the host Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Quan Dixon is the lone senior for the Central varsity boys.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Neveah Hawley takes a shot for the Triton girls in the first half.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Leah Greer claims a defensive rebound for the Lady Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Nashari McNeil-Watlington had 21 points for Triton in a 63-35 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

A’sharu Watlington sets to shoot for the visiting Triton girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Central’s girls basketball seniors are, from left, Sasha Blevins, Victoria Langdon, Sondra Berry, TaNira Edwards and Leah Greer. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)