Basketball Recap: NCSSM: Durham Comes Up Short

NCSSM: Durham managed to slip by Franklin Academy the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The NCSSM: Durham Unicorns took a blow against the Franklin Academy Patriots on Saturday, falling 86-51. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Unicorns have suffered since December 6, 2024.

Ethann Burkett

Points

02/22/25 @ Franklin Academy	18
02/18/25 vs Wake Prep Academy	34
02/17/25 vs Falls Lake	19
02/14/25 @ Research Triangle	16

NCSSM: Durham's loss came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ethann Burkett, who posted 18 points. Burkett's afternoon made it four games in a row in which he has scored at least 16 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Nikhil Nanduri, who earned 13 points.

Franklin Academy's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Hayes Lewis led the charge by shooting 82% from the field on his way to 23 points in addition to five rebounds and four steals. Those 82% field goal percentage gave Lewis a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Aiden Henrie, who went 9-for-12 en route to 20 points.

With the defeat, NCSSM: Durham broke their four-game winning streak and moved their record to 15-9. Those victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 69.0 points over those games. As for Franklin Academy, the victory (which was their sixth in a row) raised their record to 21-8.

NCSSM: Durham has already played their next matchup, a 76-46 loss against Kinston on the 25th. As for Franklin Academy, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 62-55 defeat against Seaforth on the 25th.