First Posted: 12/4/2013

LUMBERTON — The first time that Lumberton and St. Pauls met up on the basketball court this year, the Pirates were a little slow out of the gate. Second time, not so much.

In each team’s first game since playing each other Nov. 26, the Pirates won in a 90-55 rout.

It’s the second time in the calendar year that the team has broken the 90-point mark. Lumberton beat Purnell Swett 93-74 in January.

“I was real pleased with the way we executed,” said Lumberton coach Mackie Register.

The Pirates (3-2) utilized an effective man defense against the Bulldogs (0-2) took a 22-6 lead in the first quarter, then never let it go.

The centerpiece of it all was guard Travis Suggs, who got open in the key and finished 8-for-8 shooting with 23 points.

“He was getting to the rim,” Register said. “You’re going to shoot a high percentage if you’re getting to the rim.”

Suggs also had six rebounds and six steals, half of which he turned into points at the other end.

Lumberton’s Justice Sampson and Demetri Sheridan also had double figure scoring, netting 11 points each. Sheridan had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Xavier Grissett had 10 rebounds and seven blocks.

Malik Livingston led St. Pauls with 12 points and Jerkez McCallum had 11.

The Lumberton girls edged out St. Pauls 35-34. Asaya Graham led the Pirates with 13 points including the game-winning shot. Mariah Locklear had 12. Tia Glover led St. Pauls with 12 and Alexis Roberson had 11.

Swett loses at West Bladen

Purnell Swett lost 53-52 in overtime Tuesday at West Bladen.

The Rams (1-2) scored 33 points in the first half but were limited to 16 in the second and were outscored 4-3 in the overtime period. Kendrick Purdie had 21 points and Tyler Maynor had 14.

Purnell Swett’s girls won 45-38, getting the majority of scoring from four girls. Taylor Locklear, Christian Chavis, Elayna Locklear and Mikala Lowry had nine points each, accounting for all but nine of the Rams’ points.

Red Springs falls to Terry Sanford

Red Springs (0-2) fell behind early and couldn’t recover in a 66-46 loss to Terry Sanford.

The Red Devils fell behind 22-10 in the first quarter and couldn’t make up the deficit.

Red Springs plays at home tonight against Douglas Byrd.