Dylan Bates drives for South on Friday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

The South Johnston varsity boys basketball team defeated visiting Princeton, 54-45, on Friday to advance to the championship game of the South Johnston Invitational.

The Trojans (9-0) will meet C.B. Aycock (5-6) in the final on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Golden Falcons topped Triton, 62-51, in the first game on Friday.

C.J. Ray led the South boys with 18 points. Thomas Dees scored 12 and Dylan Bates added eight.

“Princeton is very athletic,” said South coach Brody Massengill. “They can get after it. They’re physical.”

Massengill said his team played man-to-man defense about 90 percent of the game.

“We’ll face a very similar opponent in C.B. Aycock,” Massengill said. “They’ll want to play much faster. It will be important to impose our tempo on them. Rebounding will be a big factor and playing team defense.”

Jamari Amerson had 13 points for the Triton boys on 4-for-6 field goal shooting. Travion Sanders added 12 points for the Hawks (4-5), who meet Princeton on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the consolation final.

The girls championship matches Princeton and C.B. Aycock on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

C.J. Ray led the Trojans with 18 points against Princeton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Thomas Dees hits a 3-pointer late in the game.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Madison Cole looks to score for the South Johnston girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)