Kyla McCormick scores for the Western Harnett girls on Monday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Western Harnett took a middle school basketball sweep on the road at Harnett Central Monday, with both the boys and girls teams picking up their first win of the season.

A strong defensive effort powered Western Harnett to a 36-20 win over Harnett Central in the girls game.

Shay McCants had 10 points and Morgan Williams had nine points to pace the Cardinals (1-2).

Jayla Johnson had seven points. Kyla McCormick had five points. Soraya Sanchez had four points. Ava Worn had one point.

The Raiders (0-3) were led by Leah Greer, with eight points.

Victoria Langdon had five points. Ella Prado had four points. MarYa Prince had two points. Sondra Berry had one point.

Greer scored early to put the game’s first points on the board, but it was the only lead the Raiders would hold. Western responded with 12 unanswered points to end the quarter and led the rest of the way, also outscoring Central 9-8 in the second quarter, 8-7 in the third and 7-3 in the fourth.

Western Harnett finished strong to take a 33-19 win over Harnett Central in the boys game.

Renmari Willis led all scorers with 14 points to pace the Cardinals (1-2).

Donovan Thomas and Colton Copley had six points apiece. Kaidian Haynes had five points. Quintin Troyano had two points.

The Raiders (0-3) were led by Camauri McDougald, with eight points.

Josh Eason had four points. Christian Parks, Larionte Pipkin and Evan Patterson had two points apiece. Turner Minchew had one point.

The teams stalemated in the first half, with the score tied 16-16 at the break.

Central briefly took a 19-18 lead late in the third on a score from Pipkin, but Western responded with a 6-0 run to end the quarter with a 24-19 lead.

Western’s defense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter, outscoring Central 9-0 to finish the game.

Western Harnett is at home against Highland and Harnett Central is at Dunn on Wednesday.

Sondra Berry of Harnett Central blocks a shot.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Soraya Sanchez blocks a shot for Western Harnett.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Leah Greer scores for Harnett Central on Monday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Shay McCants scores for the Western Harnett girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Camauri McDougald shoots for the Harnett Central boys.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Western Harnett’s Kaidian Haynes takes aim from beyond the arc.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Donovan Thomas scores for visiting Western Harnett on Monday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Larionte Pipkin scores for Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Western’s Renmari Willis denies a Central shot attempt.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)