The Triton varsity girls basketball team is shown after winning in Sanford.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
The Triton varsity girls basketball team topped Overhills, 51-47, to win the Yellow Jacket Christmas Classic at Lee County’s Peace Gym on Friday night as tournament MVP Ja’Niag Smith had 22 points for the Lady Hawks (8-3).
Triton took on Hoke County in the boys final and led 29-23 at halftime before the Bucks rallied for a 60-44 win.
Smith’s help on the scoring column included Neveah Hawley with 11 points, A’Shari Watlington (9), Nashara McNeil-Watlington (7) and Zion Cameron (2).
Aniyah Mason led Overhills (4-6) with 14 points. Eva McRae scored 13 for the Lady Jaguars and Najiha Allen added 11.
The Triton boys (8-3) got 13 points from Romello Pegues. Ahmad Morris had nine, points, 10 rebounds, two steals and blocked three shots. Brandon Surles contributed seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.
J.J. Cowan netted six points. Jamaury Taylor had four points, Khaleb Worth and Brandon Harmon scored two each and Terrence Williams added one point.
Triton coach T.J. Morrison noted that Worth went out of the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. He is averaging 9.7 points and 8.2 rebounds.
“We struggled scoring in the second half,” Morrison said. “We ran several plays that were open, but we bobbled balls or missed layups.
“(Hoke) was pretty good and athletic. They had two wings that could play. They could shoot and score. They were hard to guard.”
Hoke outscored the Hawks, 23-6, in the third quarter and 14-9 in the fourth. Salah Sutton paced the Bucks (9-4) with 24 points and Jaylen Sturdivant scored 17.
Triton returns to action at Southern Nash on Tuesday, January 2.
Ja’Niah Smith of the Lady Hawks was tournament MVP.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Neveah Hartley shoots for the Lady Hawks against Overhills.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Nashara McNeil-Watlington drives for the Triton girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Najiha Allen of Overhills shoots on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Iliana Eason claims a defensive rebound for the Lady Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
A’Shari Watlington shoots a 3-pointer in Triton’s 51-47 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Tournament MVP Ja’Niah Smith had 22 points in the final.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Brandon Surles heads to the hoop for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
J.J. Cowan goes to the basket against Hoke despite a reach in.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Khaleb Worth scores on Friday night in the Yellow Jacket Christmas Classic.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Romello Pegues had 13 points for the Hawks in a 60-44 loss.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Ahmad Morris scores for Triton, which visits Southern Nash on January 2.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
