Basketball Recap: Kaleb Pone's Big Game Can't Quite Lead North Johnston over Spring Creek

North Johnston's game on Tuesday was all tied up 26-26 at the half, but sadly for them it didn't stay that way. They fell 69-57 to the Spring Creek Gators. The Panthers were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Gators apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in February of 2024.

North Johnston's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kaleb Pone, who went 11 of 22 on his way to 22 points in addition to six assists and six boards. That was a full 38.6% of North Johnston's points, marking the third time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Aamari Dunston, who went 6 for 13 on his way to 14 points and four steals.

Spring Creek's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Nathan Jackson led the charge by almost dropping a double-double on 30 points and nine rebounds. Jackson's evening made it eight games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Brennan Chambers was another key player, going 5 of 12 on his way to 17 points along with six rebounds and four steals.

This is the second loss in a row for North Johnston and nudges their season record down to 4-8. As for Spring Creek, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 4-6.

While North Johnston had to take the loss, they won't have to wait long to give it another shot: the pair's next game is a rematch scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.