By Nick Beggs
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — Jahaye Stanback hit three 3-pointers to tally nearly half of his game-high 19 points as the top-seeded Rockets beat No. 8 Sycamore Lane 56-28 Monday night in Rockingham.
Rockingham improved to 11-0 and advances to play at home Thursday in the second round of the Southeastern Middle School Conference tournament. Sycamore Lane dropped to 3-8.
Stanback hit 9 of his 19 points in the first quarter after driving in for a layup. He later connected for a three, only to hit two more a couple minutes later.
The Bucks made a run in the second quarter after being down 23-11 at the end of the first. They scored a quarter-high 10 points, but, still could not hang with the Rockets. Stanback’s third 3-pointer came with 0.19 seconds remaining in the half and gave Rockingham 38-21 lead going into intermission.
The Rockets finished the third quarter on an 8-2 run, all capped off by steals, free throws, and layups. The game ended on an Isaiah Crowder three-pointer that led to a 12-4 fourth quarter run.
“We’re going to have a tough two practices. We know our defense is our bread and butter, that’s what we go to, that’s what we got to rely on,” said coach William Hunter.
Rockingham’s Bobby Terry was the second leading scorer with 15 points and Cameron Carraway added eight points. Antron Miller tacked on four points in the win, while D.J. Stephens, Isiah Crowder and Jaqua Gladen added three points apiece. Roderick Newton scored two points and D.D. Bruce tacked on one to round out the Rockets’ scoring.
Juston McDowell led Sycamore Lane with eight points.
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In other games, No. 3 East Hoke edged No. 6 Hamlet, 45-41.
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