Basketball Game Preview: NCSSM: Durham Unicorns vs. Durham Academy Cavaliers

After both having extra time off, the NCSSM: Durham Unicorns and the Durham Academy Cavaliers will shake off the rust and duke it out at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as NCSSM: Durham comes in on three and Durham Academy on four.

NCSSM: Durham proved they can win big last Wednesday (they won by 28) and last Thursday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Roxboro Community 43-40.

Caroline Meaney

Steals

11/20/25 @ Roxboro Community	5
11/19/25 @ Reidsville	5
11/18/25 @ Voyager Academy	5
11/14/25 @ Carrboro	4
11/13/25 vs Eno River Academy	7
+ 3 more games

Caroline Meaney and Leira Smith were among the main playmakers for NCSSM: Durham as the former dropped a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds and the latter posted 18 points and eight boards. Meaney is also crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. Violet Bradshaw was another key player, putting up six points and three steals.

NCSSM: Durham smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 21 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards every time they've taken the court this season.

Meanwhile, a well-balanced attack led Durham Academy over Jordan in every quarter on their way to victory last Thursday. The Cavaliers blew past the Falcons 49-25.

NCSSM: Durham better keep an eye on Sadie Steinberg. She was instrumental in Durham Academy's win, scoring 18 points and seven steals. Those seven steals gave Steinberg a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Elizabeth 'E' Mead, who earned seven points and five steals.

NCSSM: Durham's record now sits at 7-1. As for Durham Academy, their record is now 4-2.

Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: NCSSM: Durham has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 30.1 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Durham Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 25.2 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.

NCSSM: Durham was dealt a bruising 49-14 defeat at the hands of Durham Academy when the teams last played back in December of 2024. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of the Cavaliers' Logan Freedman, who dropped a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds. Now that the Unicorns know the damage she can cause, will they be able to stop her this time? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.