The Pinecrest girls’ basketball team wrapped up the regular season on a high note, defeating Hoke County 62-46 Friday night in Raeford.

Felicia Painter led a Patriot squad that had only seven players dressed for the game with 19 points and 15 rebounds. The sophomore went 9-for-13 from the field. Senior Jennie Joy scored 16 points and handed out eight assists. Senior Shaniqua Collins contributed 11 points.

The Patriots finished third in the Southeastern Conference. They take a record of 16-6 overall and 6-4 in the league into a first round conference tournament game at home on Tuesday against Purnell Swett.

Coming off losses in three of their previous four games, the Patriots got big contributions from their entire cast.

“We knew we had to win to play at home on Tuesday so that pretty much set the tone for us early,” Joy said. “I knew I had to step up on offense and defense because three of our girls were out and some of the subs were kind of tight.”

Tied at 14-14 early in the second quarter, a three by Keegan Lynch set off a 9-0 Patriot run. It continued with Painter feeding Janea Williams for the first of her three baskets in the period, and Lizzie Smith draining a jumper. The half ended with a basket by Ashleigh McKenzie that made it 33-18.

Painter poured it on in the third quarter, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds. Joy helped milk the clock and still managed to score nine points in the fourth period.

Hoke fell to 7-14 and 3-7. League champion Richmond Senior and Lumberton get first round byes in the conference tournament that is scheduled to conclude next Friday. According to the preliminary 4A state playoff brackets, the third place finish will earn Pinecrest a first round home game.

Contact Charlie Bergmann at cbergmann@nc.rr.com.

Pinecrest 62, Hoke 46

Pinecrest 14 19 15 14 62

Hoke 12 6 13 15 46

Pinecrest – Joy 5 5-8 16, Collins 4 3-8 11, Painter 9 1-2 19, Lynch 1 0-0 3, McKenzie 2 0-0 5, Smith 1 0-0 2, Williams 3 0-1 6. Totals 25 9-19 62. Hoke – Carroll 3 5-9 12, Honeycutt 3 0-3 6, Jones 1 1-2 3, Farrell 2 0-0 4, Kennedy 0 0-2 0, Maynor 4 3-4 11, Pegues 5 0-0 10. Totals 18 9-20 46. Three-point goals: (P ) 3 (Joy, Lynch, McKenzie); ( H) 1 (Carroll).