Home Local Sports Ellerbe boys come back against East Hoke, Lady Wildcats fall

Ellerbe boys come back against East Hoke, Lady Wildcats fall

Ellerbe's Maddie Maree (12) and Yulissa Avalos (3) box out during Monday's game.
Photo contributed by Allen Adeimy.

ELLERBE — Back on the court for the second time this season, the Ellerbe Middle School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams picked up a split against East Hoke on Monday in the teams’ home opener.

The Wildcats would bounce back after suffering a loss in their season opener, using a strong second half to defeat the Eagles 34-22. Head coach Tommy Shelton’s team would overcome a three-point halftime deficit to even its record while sending East Hoke home with its second loss in as many tries.

After the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats and Eagles were tied at six points and the visitors managed to take a 15-12 lead into the break. Dalan Utley had six first-half points, including one of his game-high four three-point baskets.  

But out of the locker room, the game belonged to Ellerbe. The Wildcats outscored the Eagles 14-2 in the third quarter, with two more Utley triples and 8 points from Freddy Hill. Heading into the fourth quarter with a 26-17 lead, the Wildcats finished the game outscoring East Hoke 8-5.

Utley continued to impress with six more points to finish with a game-high 18 points. Hill added 13 points in the comeback with and Conner Utley (Dalan’s older brother) added a three-point basket to finish the scoring.  

Now 1-1 on the season, the Ellerbe boys will take a break until Rockingham (1-0) visits on Tuesday, Jan. 7.  

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Lady Wildcats scoring struggles lead to second loss

Ahead of the boys’ win, the Ellerbe girls’ basketball team struggled against the Lady Eagles and fell 26-11.

Head coach Derek Anderson would see his team score just four first-half points and trail 15-4 at the break. East Hoke would outscore the home team 11-7 in the second half to secure the win.

Taniya Chandler and Symone Terry each had 4 points for EMS, while Jasmin Martinez and Melissa Morales added a bucket and a free throw, respectively. 

The Lady Wildcats are now 0-2, and will also welcome in defending Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference champion Rockingham on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

 

Allen Adeimy contributed to this report. To submit middle school sports scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.

 



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Kyle Pillar is a 22-time North Carolina Press Association award-winning sports editor with The Richmond Observer. Follow the sports department on X @ROSports_ for the best in-depth coverage of Richmond County sports.