HC girls take 15th in a row

by | Feb 7, 2018 | Harnett Central

From left are Central seniors Jordyn Johnson-McLean, Maliah Banks and Michaela Cabe. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

With a Senior Night triumph over rival Triton, the Harnett Central varsity girls basketball team turned its attention to wrapping up the regular-season championship in the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference.

Central took a 38-27 win over visiting Triton as the Lady Trojans improved to 9-0 in the league on Wednesday night. Central’s girls are 19-2 overall.

Jordan Johnson-McLean had 13 points as Central won its 15th game in a row. Syniah McMiller had 12 points. Maliah Banks had nine points. Michaela Cabe and Lyndsey Brewer added two points each.

Triton (5-18, 2-7) was led by nine points from Allure Smith. Anastasia McDougald had six points. Anaya Lockamy and Ana-Beth Brewer had four points each. Keona McNeil had three points and Hannah Jackson added one point.

Central led 24-10 at the half.

“We came out ready to play and worked hard on defense in the first half,” said Central coach Chelsey Cabe. “Jumping on them from the start was a contributing factor.”

Banks is averaging 16.1 points per game.

“Triton played great defense against us, but Maliah and Michaela got others involved and didn’t get frustrated,” Coach Cabe said. “Syniah had a huge game for us, as did Jordyn Johnson-McLean.”

McNeill hit a three with 1:46 to go that brought Triton within 36-26.

“They worked hard, especially that fourth quarter,” said Lady Hawks coach Keith Howard. “We finished the game strong. I’m very proud of them. I’m proud of Ana-Beth Brewer. She played a lot of minutes. She worked hard. I’m proud of Keona McNeill. She stepped up in the fourth quarter. These girls finished the game strong. We gave ourselves a chance. We need to take that to practice and get ready for Friday.”

The Lady Hawks finish the regular season at Lee County on Friday night. Central goes to Union Pines to take on a Lady Vikings team that improved to 8-1 on Wednesday night with a 60-28 win over visiting Southern Lee. Central needs a win in order to clinch sole possession of the Tri-County regular-season title.

“We have to play four complete quarters,” Coach Cabe said of the pending matchup. “We can’t lose focus or take any plays off.”

Central nipped Union Pines 49-48 at Central on Jan. 27.

Maliah Banks (21) goes to the basket for Central. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Maggie Hobson)

DunnAreaSports@gmail.com

Sponsors

WCKB Gospel 780 AM - 102.7 FM

“For The Boys”

– Tom Double

John Lucas
Sports
Photography