The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team (11-3) seeks to end a three-game losing streak when Rockingham CC (3-5) comes to The O’Neal School gym this evening (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. The Flyers defeated the Eagles 103-75 in their first meeting in Wentworth on Nov. 7.

The Flyers led in the second half of both games at the Wake Tech Classic over the weekend in Louisburg. They lost 84-80 to Catawba Valley CC on Saturday and 83-73 to Wake Tech on Sunday.

Patriots Qualify for States

Pinecrest and Union Pines were among the eight high schools represented at Saturday’s Patriot Polar Bear track and field meet held at the John Williams Athletic Complex.

Athletes are competing at the weekend meets to qualify for the NCHSAA 4A or 1A/2A/3A State Champion-ships to be held at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem on Feb. 9.

Pinecrest qualifiers from the previous Saturday meet held at JDL Fast Track were Matt Carllson in the shot put and Jay Harris in the pole vault. Additional Patriots meeting the NCHSAA standards at Pinecrest were Jennie Cunningham in the 1,600-meter run, Janea Williams and Hannah Hensley in the high jump, the girls’ 4X800-meter relay team, and Matt Harmody in the 3,200-meter run.

Local winners from Saturday’s meet that also included South View, Overhills, Southern Lee, Seventy-First, Westover and Hoke County: Girls – 4X800 relay – Pinecrest; 4X400 relay – Pinecrest; 55 hurdles – Daniela Wisen (UP); 1,600 – Jennie Cunningham (P); 500 dash – Kelsey Rea (P); 1,000 – Rachel Von Cannon (P); 3,200 – Jaleigh Jensen (P); Boys – 1,600 – Becket Killam (P); 3,200 – Matt Harmody (P); Shot put – Matt Carlson (P); Pole vault – Jay Harris (P).

Falcon Girls Get First Win

The O’Neal Lady Falcons won their first game of the season on Friday against Freedom Christian, taking the game by a 44-31 score.

Scotti McGowan poured in 14 points to lead the Falcons (1-11 overall record) and Maggie Jackson contributed eight points in the victory in the game played at O’Neal.

“I’m very proud of the girls and the jayvee girls that stepped up to aid our effort,” Falcon coach Carl Bryan said. “Every girl played on Friday night, which contributed immensely to the victory. While we still have a lot of work to do on offense, it is great for these girls to get a double-digit win and close out the game.”

Mary Dixon, Katherine Wooddell, Cydney Baldwin and Hannah Sullivan contributed in the scoring column.

Patriot Freshmen Win

In a game of runs, the longer ones belonged to the Pinecrest freshmen in Friday afternoon’s 64-53 home victory over Cardinal Gibbons.

The Patriots were led in the scoring column by Daunylon Baldwin with 14 points, and Jadan Thomas and Nick Williamson with 11 each. They improved to 3-1 after a strong rebound from Thursday’s 53-52 final-second loss at Purnell Swett.

Will Lassiter had a pair of threes in a 14-4 burst that staked the home team to a 30-17 lead. But the Crusaders scored the next nine points to close the gap to 30-26 at halftime.

The Patriots began the third period with a 12-0 burst. Justin Marks sank a pair of free throws to get it started.

A steal for two and then a three by Baldwin put the Pats in high gear. When Thomas scored at the midway point of the period it was 42-26.

At the start of the fourth quarter, a basket by Shiheme McCrimmon gave the Pats their largest lead at 52-33.

The Crusaders responded with nine points in a row and got as close as seven twice in the final three minutes of play.

Thomas and Malick Stanford each converted a pair at the line to snuff out any comeback hopes of the visitors.

In the game at Purnell Swett, a basket by Lassiter gave the Patriots a 52-51 lead, capping a comeback from a 48-40 deficit. But a basket with seven seconds remaining by the Rams saddled the Patriots with a 53-52 loss.

Baldwin led the Patriots with 14 points.

Vikes Split With Raiders

Union Pines earned a split with visiting Richmond Senior in nonconference basketball action Saturday.

Spurred by 23 points from freshman Stephanie Johnson, the Lady Vikings defeated the 4-A Lady Raiders 38-36.

Union Pines raced out to a 27-13 halftime lead and then held off the charging Raiders to improve to 4-5 for the season.

The Vikings returned to Cape Fear Valley Conference action Tuesday. Union Pines is 1-1 in conference play.

In the boys’ contest, the Raiders handed the 3-A Vikings a 69-54 loss. Three players reached double figures for the Vikes (3-6 overall), with Matthew Maness leading the way with 15 points.

Dionte Williams chipped in with 12 points, while Malik Crawford added 11 for the Vikes.

Union Pines (0-2 Cape Fear Valley Conference) was scheduled to face league opponent Gray’s Creek Tuesday.