Pinecrest forced 27 turnovers Monday in taking a 64-49 nonconference boys’ basketball win over Lee County at James Moore Gymnasium.
The Patriots created 18 points off those turnovers while also dominating inside, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 24-10 in the paint.
Pinecrest, now 4-0 for the season, also claimed 15 steals to just one for Lee County while also picking up four charges.
Junior point guard Bradlee Haskell continued with his strong early-season showings, leading the Patriots with 24 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Senior Dillon Brennan had 18 points for the Patriots, draining six three-pointers.
Other Pinecrest scorers included Kelvyn Harrington with six points, JJ Goins and Ian Blue, both with five points, Will Bode with four and Deonte Haye with two points.
Malachi McLean led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 19 points.
Next up for the Patriots is the start of Sandhills Athletic Conference play when Seventy-First comes to Southern Pines Friday night to take on the Patriots.
Seventy-First edged out the Patriots last season for the conference regular-season championship when the Falcons finished 11-3 and the Patriots 10-4 in the league.
Last season the two teams split during the regular season with the Patriots winning at home, 83-82, in overtime and the Falcons winning in Fayetteville by a 49-47 count.
So far this season, the Falcons are 3-2.
