East Duplin Panthers (Beulaville, NC) backers were in high spirits Wednesday as they witnessed their basketball squad tip the host North Lenoir Hawks (LaGrange, NC), 44-41 in a league bout.

With the win, East Duplin upgrades its record to 7-6 on the season. The Panthers travel to South Lenoir (Deep Run, NC) to play the Blue Devils in a non-league bout on Thursday, February 2. The Blue Devils go into the bout with a record of 9-4. South Lenoir won 59-32 in their recent non-league bout against Dixon (Holly Ridge, NC)

Next up, the Hawks play the James Kenan Tigers (Warsaw, NC) in a bout, on Friday, February 3. North Lenoir will attempt to upgrade on its 9-7 season record. The Tigers go into the bout with a 4-8 record after their 41-23 league loss to Kinston (Kinston, NC).