Pender Patriots (Burgaw, NC) boosters left the game satisfied Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad nudge the visiting East Columbus Gators (Lake Waccamaw, NC), 57-52 in a league match.

With the victory, Pender upgrades its record to 5-8 on the year. The Patriots travel to Heide Trask (Rocky Point, NC) to face the Titans in a 1A/2A Waccamaw match on Wednesday, February 5. The Titans enter the match with a record of 10-9. Heide Trask won 71-52 in their recent league match against West Columbus (Cerro Gordo, NC)

The Gators now sport a 9-11 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Whiteville for a 1A/2A Waccamaw match on Thursday, February 6. East Columbus will face a Wolfpack squad coming off a 65-56 league win over West Columbus (Cerro Gordo, NC). The Wolfpack record now stands at 11-7.