Basketball Game Preview: Neuse Charter Cougars vs. Martin County Gators

The Neuse Charter Cougars and the Martin County Gators will round out the year against one another at at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. Neuse Charter is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 56 points per game this season.

Martin County is facing Neuse Charter at the wrong time: Neuse Charter suffered their first home loss of the season on Wednesday and they're likely out for redemption. They were just a bucket shy of victory and fell 50-49 to the Patriots. The contest was a 25-25 toss-up at halftime, but the Cougars couldn't quite close it out.

The loss doesn't tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was Yedidia Tsolenyanu, who posted 14 points and six rebounds. Lily Temple was another key player, putting up ten points along with six boards and five assists.

Meanwhile, Martin County's undefeated season came to an end after six games on Thursday. They might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting Gates County an easy 52-28 victory. The match marked the Gators' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Neuse Charter's loss ended an eight-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 11-3. As for Martin County, their defeat was their first of the season and makes their record 6-1.