Basketball Recap: Ayden - Grifton Falls Despite Big Games from Jahmir Outlaw and Hatteras Jenkins

Ayden - Grifton was the 48-27 winner over SouthWest Edgecombe when they last played one another back in February of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Ayden - Grifton Chargers took a 72-57 bruising from the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars on Thursday. While losing is never fun, the Chargers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 312th, while the Cougars are ranked 97th).

Ayden - Grifton's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Hatteras Jenkins, who posted 21 points, and Jahmir Outlaw, who had 19 points. Nygel Morgan was another key player, putting up nine points.

SouthWest Edgecombe's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Zy Thigpen led the charge by going 8 of 14 on his way to 21 points and eight assists. Thigpen's evening made it four games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Justin Bridgers, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Ayden - Grifton's loss dropped their record down to 7-7. As for SouthWest Edgecombe, the victory (which was their sixth in a row) raised their record to 10-2.

Ayden - Grifton will head out to challenge North Lenoir at 7:00 p.m. on January 17th. As for SouthWest Edgecombe, they will welcome Washington at 7:30 p.m. on January 17th. Washington knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past 15 matches -- so hopefully SouthWest Edgecombe likes a good challenge.