Basketball Game Preview: North Duplin Rebels vs. Princeton Bulldogs

North Duplin hasn't had much luck against Princeton recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. After both having extra time off, the two teams will dust off their jerseys to square off against one another at 7:30 p.m. North Duplin is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.2 points per game this season.

North Duplin is headed into Thursday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their sixth straight game dating back to last season last Saturday. They received a blow as they fell 81-67 to James Kenan. One positive for the Rebels, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

North Duplin's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Duquan Stevens, who went 9 for 18 on his way to 18 points and six rebounds, and Donavan Armwood, who went 9 of 18 on his way to 23 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Luke Kelly, who posted six points and five rebounds.

Even though they lost, North Duplin smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 18 consecutive matches dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, Princeton came up short against East Duplin last Friday and fell 61-50.

North Duplin will need focus on slowing down Teo McPhatter, one of several Princeton players who made an impact when they last played. He put up 11 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Cole Woodall, who posted eight points in addition to five rebounds and three blocks.

Princeton's loss dropped their record down to 4-6. As for North Duplin, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-5.

North Duplin took a serious blow against Princeton in their previous meeting back in February of 2021, falling 95-33. That game was all but decided by halftime, at which point North Duplin was down 67-25.