North Lenoir Hawks (LaGrange, NC) backers were in high spirits Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host East Duplin Panthers (Beulaville, NC), 51-39 in a league bout.

With the win, North Lenoir upgrades its record to 7-13 on the season. The Hawks host James Kenan (Warsaw, NC) to play the Tigers in a 2A East Central bout on Friday, February 9. The Tigers come into the challenge with a record of 12-6. James Kenan lost 61-48 in their recent league challenge against Kinston (Kinston, NC)

Next up, the Panthers confront the South Lenoir Blue Devils (Deep Run, NC) in a 2A East Central challenge, on Friday, February 9. East Duplin will attempt to improve on its 2-18 season record. The Blue Devils come into the challenge with a 3-17 record after their 76-49 league loss to Southwest Onslow (Jacksonville, NC).