Basketball Recap: Dynamic Duo of Mary Niebauer and Julia Van Valkenburg Lead Thales Academy Rolesville to Victory

Thales Academy Rolesville hadn't done well against Neuse Christian Academy recently (they were 2-7 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Thales Academy Rolesville Knights enjoyed a cozy 59-42 win over the Neuse Christian Academy Lions. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Knights.

Julia Van Valkenburg

Points (Career)

01/21/25 @ Neuse Christian Academy	22
12/06/24 @ Southern Wake Academy	17
01/09/25 vs American Leadership Academy-Johnston	16
01/03/25 @ Halifax Academy	14
11/15/24 vs Wilson Christian Academy	14

Leading Thales Academy Rolesville to victory were Julia Van Valkenburg and Mary Niebauer. Van Valkenburg went 8 for 13 en route to 22 points along with five rebounds and four steals, while Niebauer posted 20 points and eight boards. The dominant performance gave Van Valkenburg a new career-high in points. Kendall Hudson was another key player, putting up nine points and five rebounds.

Neuse Christian Academy lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Lyla Lindstrom, who earned 18 points and eight boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Morgan Little, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and ten rebounds.

Thales Academy Rolesville is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 11-7 record this season. As for Neuse Christian Academy, they have also been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-7 record this season.

Thales Academy Rolesville is taking a road trip to challenge St. Thomas More Academy at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday. As for Neuse Christian Academy, they will venture away from home to take on Friendship Christian at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday.