FAIRMONT — After opening the season with four losses in a row, the Fairmont boys basketball team now has pieced together a winning streak in its 56-51 home win over Dillon in the first round of the Robeson County Shootout.
Fairmont (2-4) took a 29-16 lead into the break, and held off Dillon (0-1) in the second half as it chipped away at the lead over the final two periods.
The Golden Tornadoes host Purnell Swett on Friday in the semifinals, while Dillon travels to Red Springs on Thursday in the consolation round.
Jayvon Morris led Fairmont with 13 points and nine rebounds. Also leading Fairmont in scoring and on the glass was Kaheem Pittman with nine points and eight boards, and Kobe Davis with six points and 10 rebounds.
Dillon’s Damari Ladson had 17 points and 17 rebounds.
In the girls game, Dillon had no problem in its first action of the season with a 67-20 win over Fairmont.
Fairmont (0-5) scored the first basket of the game on a Georgianna Waters shot, and Dillon (1-0) responded with a 20-0 run. Waters led Fairmont with eight points. Jykya Bell led all scorers with 22 points for the Lady Wildcats and Chyna Pouncey had 19 points.
Dillon takes on Purnell Swett in the girls semifinals on Friday at Fairmont, and Fairmont travels to Red Springs in the consolation round on Thursday.
St. Pauls boys, girls move to semifinals
ST. PAULS — The St. Pauls boys basketball team breezed into a semifinal appearance with a 59-21 win at home over Lake View to open the Robeson County Shootout.
The Bulldogs held Lake View to 10 points in the first half and took a 38-10 lead into the intermission.
Caleb Henderson led St. Pauls with 15 points and Emonta Smith added nine points. Lake View’s Fred Reaves led his team with four points.
In the girls game, St. Pauls and Lake View found themselves tied late before a surge from the Lady Bulldogs gave it a 54-49 win.
For St. Pauls, T.J. Eichelberger scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, Mackenzie Ranson added 15 points and Diamond Simms-Moore recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds.
St. Pauls travels to Lumberton in the semifinals on Friday, while Lake View goes to South Robeson in the consolation round.
