Basketball Game Preview: Martin County Gators vs. Neuse Charter Cougars

The Martin County Gators will be taking part in a tournament against the Neuse Charter Cougars at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

Martin County is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Gates County just ended the team's six-game winning streak on Thursday. They might have been a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting the Red Barons an easy 52-28 victory. The contest marked the Gators' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Meanwhile, Neuse Charter entered their match against West Carteret on Wednesday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Neuse Charter was just a bucket shy of victory and fell 50-49 to West Carteret. The game was a 25-25 toss-up at halftime, but the Cougars couldn't quite close it out.

Martin County will need focus on slowing down Yedidia Tsolenyanu, one of several Neuse Charter players who made an impact when they last played. She posted 14 points and six rebounds. Lily Temple was another key player, putting up ten points along with six boards and five assists.

Neuse Charter's defeat ended an eight-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 11-3. As for Martin County, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 6-1.