Middle school team drops a close one
By Peter Vankevich
The school basketball teams head to the county mainland to play the Mattamuskeet Lakers today. Lady Dolphins (10-5) take on the Lady Lakers (0-13) at 5:30 p.m. and Dolphins (8-7) follow with the Lakers (4-9). Playing first, the new JV team (1-5) has a chance for a victory against the Mattamusekeet JV team (1-8)
Saturday the teams will host the Plymouth Vikings, both of which are among the best teams in the conference. Girls are 12-1, conf. 9-0 and boys (8-5, conf. 7-2). Lady Dolphins go first at 2 p.m. and Dolphins follow. The games will be broadcast by WOVV 90.1 FM.
On Tuesday, the Lady Dolphins by a score of 53-39 beat the Perquimans Pirates (8-10 Conf. 8-5). The team got off to a 12-6 first-quarter start and never trailed thereafter. Sydney Austin was high scorer with 22 points followed by Ingrid Contreras (10) and Bricea Moreno (9). Coach Adam Burleson was pleased with the team’s performance, particularly with their defense.
“We have an intense schedule for the next two weeks against some strong teams,” he said.
The Dolphins lost 60-55 to the boys team (11-7 Conf. 8-5). The Dolphins had a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, but trailed 25-22 at the half. With under three minutes remaining, Liam Caswell made two baskets and Darvin Contreras hit a three-pointer to make it a 53-52 score. The Pirates held on by making some key foul shots for the win. Liam was high scorer with 18 points.
Yesterday, the middle school team lost a tough game to the conference leading Columbia Wildcats, 44-42.
“The boys played hard, and we were up by one with seconds remaining when #5 drilled a clutch three to put them up by two,” said Coach Jason Wells. “Mason powered the length of the floor and had a chance to tie after a foul, but couldn’t pull it off. Nice game though, and it is not Mason’s fault.”
“Final regular season standings have a three-way tie for second place in the conference,” Wells said. “Ocracoke beat Hatteras twice; Hatteras beat Mattamuskeet twice, and Mattamuskeet beat Ocracoke twice, and we are all 4-4. The tiebreaker is record against other conference opponents, and all three teams are 2-0 vs Creswell and 0-2 vs. Columbia.
“This leaves our fate in the hands of drawing straws I guess. So we could be the second, third or fourth seed depending on the draw. Hopefully we draw second and host a playoff game. If we draw third, we travel, and if we draw fourth we would host Creswell for the play in game, and then travel for the other two game.”
