The North Moore girls’ basketball team picked up another Yadkin Valley Conference victory Wednesday, pushing them closer to their goal of winning the conference title.

The Lady Mustangs blitzed West Montgomery 75-29. The team got off to a quick start and led 17-4 after the first quarter. Assistant coach Chris Coble said the girls played better defensively and did a good job of clearing the glass.

Shakorya Brower led North Moore with 20 points. Jalisa Davis had 14, Katelyn Sheffield 10, Jesse Sheffield nine, and Tashonna Farmer eight.

North Moore’s lengthy road trip finally comes to an end Friday against Gray Stone Day. It will finish its regular season with two home games Tuesday and next Friday.

The Lady Mustangs are still in first place in the YVC standings, and would clinch the regular season title by winning out.

Lady Pats Lose Tough One

The Pinecrest girls faltered down the stretch and suffered a costly 48-44 loss at Scotland County Tuesday evening.

The Patriots’ second Southeastern Conference loss in a row drops them to 4-3 in the league and 14-5 overall. They have fallen into a third-place tie with the Scots behind Richmond Senior (7-0) and Lumberton (5-2).

Trailing 22-20 at halftime, the Patriots appeared ready to take command when a three by Keegan Lynch started a 12-2 run that gave them a 32-24 lead halfway through the third period. But the Scots scored the next nine points to retake the lead. A three-point play by Janea Williams, and another basket by Williams, put the Pats back in front 39-36 with 4:30 remaining in the game.

The Scots paraded to the foul line the rest of the way, going 11-for-16 in the final period. The Patriots trailed 45-39 by the time Shaniqua Collins finally got them back on the board with a jump shot at the 41.7-second mark.

Wasted was a big game by sophomore Felicia Painter, who finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Williams added 11 points. Jennie Joy, the Patriots’ leading scorer this season, was held to six points. Tykeria Johnson topped the Scots with 18 points.

The Patriots entertain Purnell Swett tonight at 6 p.m. in another conference game.

U.P. Boys Fall

The Union Pines Viking boys’ basketball team was outgunned from the start of its league matchup with Westover on Tuesday night. Through one period Westover led 16-3 and took a 27-7 lead into intermission.

Eventually the home-standing Wolverines won 66-19, improving to their overall record to 17-2 on the season and 8-1 in Cape Fear Valley Conference play.

With the loss the Vike boys are now 6-16 overall and 3-7 in CFVC action. Both Union Pines teams return to action Friday for Senior Night against league foe Southern Lee.

Things are scheduled to start with the girls’ game, which tips off at 6 p.m. at Bob Ward Gymnasium.