Emereau Boys Bounce Back with 35-22 Win Over Midway Middle

DUNN, NC — The Emereau boys basketball team showed exactly what Coach Dom Whittington was talking about after their tough loss last week.

After falling to Sampson Middle 32-9 in their previous outing, the team came out Monday night and delivered their best performance of the young season, defeating Midway Middle 35-22 to even their record at 1-1.

“Tough loss tonight, but I told the boys to keep their heads up,” Whittington said after that Sampson Middle game. “We learn from games like this, fix the mistakes, and come back stronger. I believe in each of these boys.”

Those words proved prophetic.

The game started as a back-and-forth battle. Midway Middle held a slim 5-4 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 18-10 by halftime.

But Emereau wasn’t done fighting.

The third quarter became the turning point. Emereau outscored Midway 13-5 to take a 23-20 lead heading into the final period.

The momentum carried into the fourth as Emereau closed strong, outscoring the visitors 12-2 down the stretch.

Cayden Smith led the way with a game-high 15 points on six two-pointers and three free throws. Noah Ray added 10 points, hitting four shots from inside and knocking down a pair of free throws.

Jayden Bordeaux contributed 7 points on three two-pointers and a free throw, while Eli DiCicco connected from long range for 3 points.

Jasyen Cash paced Midway Middle with 9 points, followed by Tanner Register with 6.

The victory showed the growth Whittington and his coaching staff, Tyler Hester and Quan Jones, are looking for from this group.

After getting outscored 28-3 in the first half against Sampson Middle just days earlier, Emereau’s second-half surge against Midway proved they’re learning and improving.

Emereau will hit the road next, traveling to Cape Fear Academy on Thursday, December 4th. The girls game tips off at 4pm with the boys to follow.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter: Midway Middle 5, Emereau 4

2nd Quarter: Midway Middle 18, Emereau 10

3rd Quarter: Emereau 23, Midway Middle 20

Final: Emereau 35, Midway Middle 22

Emereau (35): Eli DiCicco 3, Noah Ray 10, Jayden Bordeaux 7, Colt Lewis, Cayden Smith 15, Grayson Leggett, Ryker Britt, Mason Sasser, Cooper Patrick, Tony Robinson, Ryker Dowless, Saeed McElveen

Midway Middle (22): Tanner Register 6, Jasyen Cash 9, Ty’Kevon Cash, Lee Naylor 2, Adam Johnson 3, Walt Canterbury, Logan Lupo, Landon Owen, Austin Spell, Elijah Blake, Zae Camady, Koleda I, Regan D, Ayden M

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Emereau Boys Bounce Back with 35-22 Win Over Midway Middle