The Pinecrest junior varsity boys' basketball team ran into a buzzsaw at the Overhills Christmas Tournament last Thursday when it took the floor vs. E.E. Smith.

The Fayetteville juggernaut was larger, older and more athletic than the Pinecrest squad. After falling down early by as much as 25 points, the Patriots battled back and lost by a score of 66-49.

It was the first loss of the season for the young Patriots.

Jahrelle Person was one of the few bright spots for the Patriots, totaling 13 points for the game. No other player for Pinecrest scored more than seven.

The dejection of a first loss lasted only for a short time as the Patriots thumped Western Harnett in the consolation championship on Friday night by a score of 74-44.

Five Pinecrest players scored in double figures, led by Blake Smith with 16 points, including two baskets from behind the arc. Smith was followed by Laquan McCullough with 13, Damon Harris with 11, and Jason McLean and Maurice Short with 10 each.

The Pinecrest jayvees are 10-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference. The Patriots have 10 games following the vacation break.

UP Junior Varsity Girls Earn Split in Asheboro Tourney

The Union Pines junior varsity girls' basketball team split two games in a holiday tournament, earning the right to face North Moore for third place Thursday.

The Vikings opened the tournament Tuesday with a strong 54-15 win over Central Davidson, but dropped a close 46-42 contest to Randleman in the semifinals on Wednesday. The eight-team tournament is being played in Asheboro.

In the win over Central Davidson, Reyanna Torrence led all scorers with 24. Rachel Bradford added 13 and Whitney Walden chipped in nine. Other Viking scorers included Catherine Daley, Morgan Carlyle, Lashonda Dowdy and Katie Mckenzie with two each.

In the game with Randleman, the Vikings jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Tigers fought back to win by four. The Vikings are now 7-2 for the season.

Vipers Set Softball Tryouts

The Sandhills Vipers, a fastpitch girls' softball team, is holding tryouts for the upcoming 2007 season.

The tryouts are scheduled for Carthage Elementary School on Dec. 30 and Jan. 6 from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Vipers will play in a 14-and-under league until July 31, and then move up to 15-and-under competition on Aug. 1.

If potential players are 14 or younger on Dec. 31 of this year, they are eligible to play on the team. Players do not have to attend both tryouts, but are encouraged to do so if they wish.

The squad is coached by Tim Doby and Mark Voss. They said players are needed for all positions, with a particular need for pitching. For more information, call Doby at (910) 690-3556 or Voss at (910) 639-5918.

Adult Baseball Team Planned

Dennis Johnson wants to play baseball. He's looking for some other players 32-or-over to play in the Central North Carolina Senior Men's Baseball League.

Johnson has played for a team in Fayetteville, but wants to start a team of local players. He said most teams in the league have 12 to 18 players.

For more information, call Johnson at (910) 603-5768.