Basketball Recap: Neuse Charter's Luck Takes a Turn for the Worse on Wednesday

It was a good run, but Neuse Charter unfortunately witnessed the end of their five-game winning streak on Wednesday. They fell 54-44 to the Lakewood Leopards. If the Cougars were looking for revenge after losing 42-37 to them when the teams met, then they'll just have to keep looking.

Lily Temple

Blocked Shots (Career)

02/05/25 vs Lakewood	6
01/28/25 @ Union	3
11/22/24 vs Henderson Collegiate	3
12/17/24 vs Lejeune	2
01/31/25 vs North Duplin	1

Despite the defeat, Neuse Charter saw an underclassman step up: freshman Lily Temple posted 30 points along with seven boards and six blocks. The dominant performance gave Temple a new career-high in blocks. Another player making a difference was Addyson Barefoot, who scored two points and nine rebounds.

Even though they lost, Neuse Charter smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in ten consecutive matches.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Lakewood to victory, but perhaps none more so than Areona McKoy, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and 11 boards. McKoy is becoming a predictor of Lakewood's success: when she posts at least ten rebounds the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when she doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Alexis Rhodes, who went 6 of 12 on her way to 18 points.

Neuse Charter's loss ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 19-6. As for Lakewood, their record now sits at 14-2.

Neuse Charter will look to defend their home court on Friday against Rosewood at 6:00 p.m. Rosewood has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games. As for Lakewood, they will head out to face off against Hobbton at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Lakewood is facing Hobbton at the right time seeing as Hobbton is stuck on a ten-game losing streak.