Coming off a basketball sweep at the hands of Southern Lee, the Union Pines basketball will seek to return to their winning ways tonight when they host South Johnston in Cape Fear Valley Conference play.

Tonight both Viking teams play host to the South Johnston Trojans in CFV action. The Lady Trojans (4-4, 10-8) come to Cameron in fifth place in the conference. Meanwhile the South Johnston boys arrive at Union Pines tonight riding a three game CFV conference win streak, and winners in 4 of their last 5 five conference contests. The girls game starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by the boys.

Entering tonight's game, the Union Pines girls are 13-5 overall and 6-2 in conference. They are in second place, one-half game ahead of Overhills (6-3, 14-4) and Triton (6-3, 10-7). Unbeaten Western Harnett (19-0, 9-0) remains in first place.

The Viking boys (5-3, 9-9) are now tied with South Johnston (5-3, 8-10) for third place in the CFV, two games ahead of Harnett Central (3-5, 9-7.)

Tuesday, Southern Lee's girls outscored the Vikings 11-3 over the final 6:52 and claimed a 49-47 win on a buzzer-beating basket by Amelia Smith. Smith led the Cavaliers with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Alishia Mosley led Union Pines with 13 points and had five steals and five rebounds. Vike Senior Lindsey Wilborn had eleven points, but was held scoreless in the second half. The Lady Vikings have now dropped two of their last their league games.

Tuesday the Vike boys jumped ahead of the two-time defending conference champions, 29-23, only to have the Cavs scored 37 of the next 48 points and take a commanding 60-40 lead en route to a 70-61 win.

Akeem Richmond led the Cavaliers with 25 points. Eric Smith paced the Vikings with 20.

With the victory Southern Lee improved to 7-1 in league play and 10-6 overall, remaining one-half game behind first place Overhills (8-1, 13-5.)

Contact F.W. Manning II at 639-5481 or by e-mail at fwm2@nc.rr.com