The Union Pines girls’ junior varsity basketball team picked up a win over Gray’s Creek Friday in Fayetteville, setting up a huge contest next Tuesday.

With the 42-27 win over the Bears Friday, the Lady Vikings are now set to travel to Sanford Tuesday where they will take on Southern Lee for the top spot in the Cape Fear Valley Conference standings.

Both teams are 8-1 in league action, and tied for first in the conference.

In the win over Gray’s Creek, the Vikings got off to a good start in taking an 11-5 first-quarter lead. Elizabeth Bowe had five points for the Vikes in the second quarter as Union Pines took a 23-13 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Charlotte Holder tossed in five points as the Vikes increased their lead to 38-15. Union Pines played reserves in the fourth quarter.

Union Pines is 15-2 overall.

Patriot Jayvees Win Two

It had to be very cheerful ride home from Lumberton Friday night for the Pinecrest junior varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams.

Coach Jaynie Hodges’ Patriot girls improved to 5-1 in the Southeastern Conference and 15-5 overall, with a 36-28 victory over the Pirates. Judith Lawhon led the winners with 14 points. Ashley Ritter added 10.

The Patriot boys coached by Ronshau Cole defeated the Pirates 52-37 as Trevion Wooten led the way with 21 points. Jamaan Calhoun contributed 12 to the Patriot cause.

Both squads are on the road again on Tuesday when they travel to Scotland County.

Lady Falcons Lose

O’Neal dropped a league contest to visiting Cape Fear Academy Friday by a 56-28 score.

The Lady Falcons got off to a good start in the Cape Fear Independent Conference encounter, with the first quarter ending in a 9-9 tie.

But Cape Fear started to use its size advantage in taking a 29-24 halftime lead.

The visitors dominated the third quarter, holding the Falcons scoreless on the way to taking a 44-24 advantage.

Clare Russell and Scotti McGowan had six points each to lead the Falcons, now 1-18 overall and 0-6 in the conference.

Taylor Shelton added five, Maggie Jackson four, Mary Dixon three and Abby Fuller and Maeve Bartiss had two each for the Falcons.

O’Neal is scheduled to travel to Harrells Christian Academy Tuesday for another conference contest.