The sun was shining at Cape Fear Christian on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
The fortunes of the Cape Fear Christian Academy varsity girls basketball team, like the weather, took a turn for the better on Tuesday in the first round of the NCISAA 1-A playoffs.
The Lady Eagles posted a 51-34 victory over visiting Community Christian of Wilson after a sunny day followed a period of rain.
“When was the last time the Cape Fear Christian girls won a playoff game?” asked Lady Eagles coach Bobby Lamb after his team advanced to a second-round contest at Halifax Academy on Thursday.
A search of the NCISAA archives showed that the CFCA girls won, 50-35, at home over Northwood Temple on February 24, 2009, in the first round.
After facing a steady challenge from 2-A and 3-A teams in the Sandhills Athletic Conference, the Eagles (5-12) got out to a 12-10 first-quarter lead Tuesday night and expanded the margin to 25-17 at halftime. The hosts outscored Community, 9-2, in the third quarter and 17-15 over the last eight minutes.
“Awesome,” Lamb said. “We were aggressive on defense. A great team effort.”
Post player Meredith Taylor scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half. Leah Brannon had 12 points for the hosts. Perri Caroline Ennis and Reyna Johnson scored seven each. Tallying two apiece were Ella John Dupree, Gracie Byrd and Melissa Marte. Laney Trainer added one point.
Logan Vaughan led Community (3-7) with nine points.
Halifax (9-4) had a first-round bye.
Perri Caroline Ennis scores for the Lady Eagles on Tuesday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Meredith Taylor drives for the CFCA girls in a 51-34 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Reyna Johnson shoots for CFCA against Community Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Mariah Bell is closely guarded in the first round of the playoffs.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Leah Brannon of the Cape Fear Christian girls looks to pass.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Gracie Byrd handles the ball for the Lady Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
CFCA girls coach Bobby Lamb draws up a play during a timeout.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Ella John Dupree puts up a shot in the second half on Tuesday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Laney Trainer dribbles in the first playoff win for the CFCA girls since 2009.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Post player Melissa Marte shoots for the CFCA girls on Tuesday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
