Darris Simmons looks to drive for the CFCA junior varsity.
(Dunn Area Sports Photos/Al Myatt)

Cape Fear Christian Academy’s junior varsity boys basketball team trailed host Freedom Christian, 43-26, at halftime in the semifinals of the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday.

The Eagles battled back to tie the score at 80 on a 3-pointer by Tyler Henderson with two minutes to go before the Patriots managed to hold on for an 84-82 win.

It was the second 2-point win for Freedom’s JV against CFCA. The Patriots prevailed, 86-84, at home on February 8 despite 48 points by Zeke Brock. Freedom won, 84-73, at CFCA in the first meeting on February 2.

Darris Simmons led the Eagles’ scoring in the third matchup with 31 points. Brock had 23 points. Henderson had 12 of his 16 points in the second half. Jake Gronowski scored all 12 of his points after halftime.

Zeke Brock pushes the tempo for the CFCA JV boys on Wednesday.

Jake Gronowski scores two of his 12 second-half points.