Bobcats earn basketball sweep over Red Level

Opp took to the road and controlled the tempo in two games for a sweep in varsity girls and boys’ action at Red Level on Thursday, Nov. 26.

Lady Bobcats 29, Lady Tigers 17
In a battle of teams searching for their first win of the season, Opp (1-2) broke away after a close start and earned a 29-17 win against Red Level (0-7) in the varsity girls’ game.

Kianna Barnes and Ashlyn Henderson started with back-to-back baskets and gave the Lady Bobcats a 4-0 lead. Breaunna Carroll scored three, and Greer Meeks made a free throw cutting the deficit to 6-4. Barnes knocked down a three-pointer as the visitors maintained an 11-6 lead at the end of the first period.

Opp then gained some breathing room with a balanced effort in the second period. Khristiya Justice, Saniyah Hines, Barnes, and Henderson each scored baskets during a 10-0 surge and upped the lead to 21-6. Red Level managed only two free throws from Camani Crittenden and Payton Williams and trailed 21-8 at halftime.

Neither side could get into an offensive rhythm in the third period. Williams had a bucket, and Miracle Wright converted two free throws that trimmed the Lady Tigers’ gap back to single digits. Justice scored two late free throws as the Lady Bobcats held a 23-12 lead after three.

The two sides continued to struggle shooting in the final period. Henderson started the fourth with a basket before Justice had four points off a basket and two free throws. Red Level received two by Miracle Wright as Anna Claire Gladwell also found the basket, but Opp ultimately prevailed by 12.

Barnes led all scorers with 11 points for the Lady Bobcats. Henderson and Justice each tallied eight in the win. Wright led the Lady Tigers with four points. Crittenden, Williams, and Carroll all scored three in the loss.

Opp 63, Red Level 30
Opp (3-0) maintained control from the start and rolled to a 63-30 win over Red Level (1-5) in the varsity boys’ contest to collect the sweep.

Damirian Thompson started strong with eight points for the visitors. Grayson Hodges put the Tigers on the board with a bucket. With a 6-4 lead, 10 straight points including two three-pointers. D.J. Hines also opened with authority off a dunk and had six that widened the advantage to 16-4. Justin Patterson made two free throws, but the Bobcats led 18-6 after the first period.

Opp continued its offensive surge into the second period with 15 more points. Conner Powers and Thompson each posted six, while Weston Donaldson knocked down a three-pointer. Hodges made a basket and two free throws as Caston Black and Patterson each found the basket. Buddy Griffin made a free throw, but Red Level found itself trailing 33-15 at halftime.

Justin Parker and Griffin brought the Tigers within 35-21 on two three-pointers early in the third period. From there, the Bobcats dominated the rest of the frame and scored the final 14 points. Hines led the charge with eight and had his second dunk of the night to build a 49-21 lead after three.

Talan Wicker got in the scoring column with two baskets in the fourth, and Slayton Griswald followed suit with four. Black broke Red Level’s scoreless drought with 5:31 left in the game and then hit a three-pointer. Powers continued his strong play with six points as Opp cruised to the 33-point win and remained undefeated on the year.

Hines and Thompson finished as the top scorers for the Bobcats with 16 points each. Powers also enjoyed double digits with 12 in the win. Black paced the Tigers at seven points and was followed Hodges and Patterson at six.

Both teams return from the Thanksgiving break next week. Opp travels to Kinston on Monday, Dec. 2, and Red Level heads to Opp on Tuesday, Dec. 3.