Basketball Recap: Dynamic Duo of Brady Barnes and Nicholas Cooreman Jr Lead Fayetteville Academy to Victory

Fayetteville Academy had to endure a four-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They strolled past the New Life Christian Academy Monarchs with points to spare on Saturday, taking the game 72-57. Given the Eagles' advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 108th, while the Monarchs are ranked 383rd), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Leading Fayetteville Academy to victory were Nicholas Cooreman Jr and Brady Barnes. Cooreman Jr posted 18 points, while Barnes had 18 points. Barnes has been hot, having posted 16 or more points the last seven times he's played. Jayden Williams was another key player, putting up eight points.

Several Monarchs players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Jaylen Mason, who went 6 of 11 on his way to 13 points and five rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Mikhi Nobles, who went 6 of 11 on his way to 15 points.

Fayetteville Academy's win bumped their record up to 10-7. As for New Life Christian Academy, their defeat ended a three-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-13.

After both having extra time off, Fayetteville Academy and Rocky Mount Academy will shake off the cobwebs and square off against one another at 6:45 p.m. on January 7, 2025. Fayetteville Academy knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past 17 matchups -- so hopefully Rocky Mount Academy likes a good challenge. As for New Life Christian Academy, they will have a little extra prep time after the loss as they won't be playing again for a while. They'll take on Riverside Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m. on January 7, 2025.