While it was all tied up 31-31 at halftime, the Apex Friendship Patriots were not quite the Willow Spring Storm's's equal in the second half on Tuesday. Apex Friendship fell just short of Willow Spring by a score of 59-57. While losing is never fun, Apex Friendship can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 84th, while Willow Spring is ranked 20th).
Despite the loss, Apex Friendship still got an impressive performance from Jasmine Nivar, who dropped a double-double on 33 points and 12 rebounds. Nivar scored a full 57.9% of Apex Friendship's points, the third time in a row she's earned more than a third of the team's points. Another player making a difference was Avery Kiger, who scored a points along with seven rebounds and three steals.
Willow Spring got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Kayleen Grullon out in front who dropped a double-double on 19 points and ten rebounds. That makes it four consecutive games in which Grullon has scored at least 25% of Willow Spring's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Korin Gladden, who scored 14 points along with three steals.
Apex Friendship's loss dropped their record down to 2-1. As for Willow Spring, the win for they keeps them at an undefeated 6-0.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Apex Friendship will take on East Chapel Hill at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Willow Spring, they will head out on the road to face off against Fuquay - Varina at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Fuquay - Varina is coming into the contest on a five-game losing streak.
