Fayetteville’s win was largely driven by the exceptional play of
Jayden Pitt, who was a dominant force on the court. Pitt posted an impressive 26 points, converting 8 of his 10 field goal attempts, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and was effective from the free-throw line, hitting 7 of 8. Additionally, Pitt contributed significantly with 4 assists and 3 rebounds, though his 5 turnovers showed room for improvement. His ability to score and facilitate made him a crucial component of Fayetteville’s offense.
For Louisburg,
Ronald Bridges Jr. was the standout performer, recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. His presence on the boards and ability to score efficiently was a bright spot for the Hurricanes, but his 3 turnovers highlighted an area for potential refinement. Meanwhile, Nehemiah McDonald added 10 points and led the team with 8 rebounds, showcasing his capability both inside the paint and on the boards.
Fayetteville demonstrated a balanced offensive effort, with support from multiple contributors like Tristen Harkins and Melquan Jackson, each contributing 11 points. Harkins proved pivotal in spreading the floor as he nailed a 3-pointer and grabbed 4 rebounds. However, defensive prowess came from James Jones, who made a substantial impact with 4 steals, disrupting Louisburg’s offense and forcing turnovers.
The Hurricanes, on the other hand, struggled with ball handling, committing 21 turnovers, which hindered their offensive flow. Brayden Smith, though effective in orchestrating plays with 3 assists, also contributed to the turnover count with 2 of his own. Xavier Booker added energy contributing 11 points and 3 steals, demonstrating his defensive tenacity.
Rebounding was tightly contested with Fayetteville edging out Louisburg 28-27 in total rebounds. Both teams displayed a strong presence in this area, with Fayetteville’s Jahlil Green and Louisburg’s Bridges Jr. leading their respective teams.
From a shooting perspective, Fayetteville’s efficiency from the field was pivotal, shooting 51.9% compared to Louisburg’s 44.1%. Fayetteville’s ability to connect from long range (6-for-13) proved to be a key differentiator, as Louisburg managed only 3-for-15 from beyond the arc.
Defensively, both teams showed resilience, with Louisburg’s defensive leader Bridges Jr. securing 3 steals, although his team struggled with fouls, amassing 17. Fayetteville maintained a slightly cleaner game with 15 fouls.
Fayetteville’s ability to execute offensively with contributions across the board, coupled with Louisburg’s struggles with turnovers, defined the game’s outcome. The strong individual performances from both Pitt and Bridges Jr. highlighted the competitive nature of the contest.
