Prep basketball returns in full force after holiday break

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 5, 2016 1:48 PM

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Eight teams are in action.

Spring Creek entertains Neuse Charter, Rosewood travels to Lakewood, Hobbton visits Princeton and North Duplin is the guest of James Kenan on the Carolina 1-A Conference scene. The main feature for the Rosewood-Lakewood doubleheader is the girls' contest. The teams shared the regular-season conference crown a year ago, and both enter the game with 2-0 league worksheets.

Neuse Charter is also 2-0 in Carolina play.

On the boys' side of the Carolina ledger, three teams -- James Kenan, Neuse Charter and Lakewood -- are each 2-0 against conference opposition this season.

County rivals Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne play each four home games today. The Golden Falcons entertain D.H. Conley, while the Saints welcome J.H. Rose to Dudley.

CBA's boys have prevailed in seven of their last eight outings after an 0-5 start. Conley is 1-12 overall and has the third-worst scoring defense among Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference teams this season.

The Golden Falcon girls (7-5) face a Conley team that's notched just three wins this winter.

Southern Wayne's boys (2-11) are coming off of a sixth-place finish in the third annual Southern Bank/Mount Olive Pickle Winter Classic. The Saints dropped contests to South Lenoir and Wayne Country Day.

The Saints' girls (6-7) earned a fifth-place finish in the East Coast Christmas Classic with a victory over county rival Eastern Wayne. Zaria Atkins registered two double-doubles during the three-day tournament and boosted her career scoring total to 1,593 points.

Injury-plagued Wayne Country Day hits the road for a non-conference contest at Neuse Christian. The Chargers, who placed fifth in the SB/MOPWC, continue to play without freshman Jamal King (broken hand) and DJ Waters.

Guard PJ Hill sustained a left-hand injury against Southern Wayne on the final day. His status is unknown.

Finally, Faith Christian launches the second half of its season with a home date against Trinity in N.C. Christian Schools Association 2-A play.