Basketball Recap: Johnavon Cox's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Smithfield-Selma over Southern Wayne

Smithfield-Selma was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their 13th straight loss. They came up short against the Southern Wayne Saints, falling 66-44. The Spartans were down 56-34 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from.

Smithfield-Selma's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Johnavon Cox, who went 6-for-9 to rack up 16 points. Another player making a difference was Jimmy Raiford, who posted five points and 13 rebounds.

Spartans

Offensive Rebounds

02/07/25 @ Southern Wayne	22
12/12/24 @ Triton	15
02/04/25 @ West Johnston	14
12/06/24 vs North Johnston	13
11/22/24 @ North Johnston	13

Even though they lost, Smithfield-Selma smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Southern Wayne found their leader in sophomore Kairell Evans, who went 8-for-9 en route to 22 points and six boards. Evans is also on a roll when it comes to shooting accuracy, as he's posted one of at least 56% in the last five games he's played. Demetrius Elliot was another key player, going 5-for-6 on his way to 14 points.

Smithfield-Selma's record is now 2-16. As for Southern Wayne, their victory bumped their record up to 5-15.

Smithfield-Selma wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next match, a 64-50 loss against West Johnston on the 10th. As for Southern Wayne, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 75-42 defeat against East Wake on the 10th.