Coach Jim Tucker and his NCOE Fighting Cardinal basketball team wrapped up their week Saturday evening when they traveled to Carrier Mills to take on the Wildcats in Greater Egyptian Conference play. With three consecutive victories, the Fighting Cardinals were in hopes of making it four.
Although these two teams had played each other just one week prior, a mere three points separated them in the end. Therefore, most were anticipating another close game. NCOE had different feelings about this when the game started, but poor shooting on both ends of the court kept the contest within reach as the Fighting Cardinals clung to a 9-5 advantage following one quarter of play. Shooting woes continued for both teams throughout the second quarter of play, but the Wildcats would manage to outscore the Fighting Cardinals 11-10 to cut the NCOE lead to just three points as halftime arrived.
Following intermission, the NCOE offense came alive and they erupted for 23 third quarter points.
Their defense allowed more points than they had all night, but 15 Wildcat points was good enough to extend their lead to 11 points heading into the final stanza. Both teams would play even in this fourth quarter, as each added 16 points to their total. This was good enough for the Fighting Cardinals to extend their win streak to four games as they coasted to the 58-47 victory.
The Junior Varsity game would quickly find the Fighting Cardinals jumping out to the 8-4 lead following the first quarter of play and extending this lead to 12 points as halftime arrived, following a 17-9 second quarter run.
Second half action was once again all Fighting Cardinals as they went on to top their opponent in each of the two remaining quarters to pull off the 55-30 victory.
The leading scorer for the Jayvee squad was Eli Brown with 20 points. Nathaniel Wilson followed with 12 points while Jace Johnson added nine points, Bryce Jolley six points, Jacob Richerson four points, Aryon Jolley two points, and Will Thompson two points.
