HAMLET — On Monday, the Hamlet Middle School basketball teams earned their first wins of the season while the Cordova Middle School squads kicked off their campaign.
The Cavaliers and Lady Cavaliers opened their season after missing last week’s opener due to scheduling conflicts. The Cordova girls’ team has combined its efforts with Ellerbe Middle School to allow players from both programs to play this winter.
Hamlet’s teams would defend their home court and combine with a pair of victories to sweep Cordova.
Morrison, Stewart guide Red Rams to win
After dropping a close opener against rival Rockingham last week, the Red Rams returned to the hardwood with a 41-36 win over the Cavaliers.
Seventh grader Amer Morrison and eighth grader Gage Stewart were the spark for Hamlet’s offense, each dropping 11 points in the win. Stewart rattled home a team-high three triples, while Morrison notched eight of his points in a crucial third quarter.
Keeping the Cavaliers in the contest were Lashon Goodwin and Davion Ingram, who both netted a game-high 13 points. Ingram had eight of his points in the first half, and Goodwin carried the weight with nine points in the final two quarters.
At the half, Hamlet held a 16-14 lead, but used a 19-point third quarter to help put the game away. Head coach Keith Parsons noted the Red Rams forced 33 turnovers in the win.
Hamlet’s Jason Walker scored seven points, Jordan Bostick added four points, and Chamaure Shaw and Ali West each had three points. Jabari Douglas rounded out the team’s scoring with two points.
Helping the Cavaliers keep pace were Khmari Morgan (six points) and Kenneth Belk (four points). Head coach Gerald Ratliff said “even though we did not get the outcome we wanted, I am very impressed with the team’s effort tonight.”
Hamlet (1-1) will host Rockingham (1-0) next Monday, and the Cavs (0-1) will travel to the Rockets on Thursday.
Drake’s 16 points pushes Lady Red Rams to win
Rebounding from a season-opening loss against Rockingham last week, the Lady Red Rams took care of business against the Lady Cavs on Monday.
Using a game-high 16 points from eighth grader O’Rena Drake, Hamlet earned a 27-6 win over Cordova. Hamlet head coach Mitch Coe said Drake is “my coach on the floor and does a fantastic job for us.”
Drake netted 12 of her points in the second half to help put the game away. Teammate Saquanna Bostic added five points, all in the first half, Kelly Hodges scored four points and Riley McDonald chipped in two points.
Coe said Bostic “did an awesome job defensively” for Hamlet. He added of Drake and Bostic that “these two ladies are our leaders and I’m excited to see their growth and I look forward to seeing them on the hardwood as Raiders.
“All our girls contributed to tonight’s victory,” he said. “We have an awesome group of girls this year.”
Ellerbe’s Symone Terry and Kenley Smith each had two points in the loss, while Corodva’s Abby Wellman also chipped in two points.
The Lady Red Rams (1-1) will welcome in Rockingham (1-0) next Monday, and the Lady Cavaliers (0-1) will play the Lady Rockets on Thursday.
