RALEIGH, N.C. – North Raleigh’s long-standing rivalry between Sanderson and Millbrook added a one-of-a-kind chapter, a playoff showdown.

Behind 25 points from Nathan Fife, the Spartans kept their historic season alive. Their 57-41 victory completed a 2-0 season sweep of Millbrook and advanced Sanderson to Tuesday’s third round, where it will host Lumberton.

Entering the season, the Spartans had only defeated the Wildcats once since 2006.

Early on, the two sides traded punches. Six of the game’s 11 three-point baskets, including all three of Sanderson’s, came in the opening quarter.

After Millbrook’s Evan Dean sunk a corner three to claim a 15-14 lead, the Spartans unleashed a 15-0 run to take a lead it would not relinquish.

10 of Fife’s 17 first half points came during the big second quarter. Sanderson led 20-15 after one and 32-19 at the break.

With Millbrook attempting to come-from-behind, Malakhi Murphy slammed down a pair of momentum-shifting dunks, and Gordie Balas nailed all six of his fourth-quarter free throws to put the game on ice. Murphy and Balas combined to score 21.

The Wildcats were led in scoring by Joshua Bowen’s 16.

BOX SCORE:
SAN: 20-12-8-17 57
MBK: 15-4-14-8 41

SCORING:
SAN: Fife 25, Balas 13, Murphy 8, Pulley 6, Snavely 3, Ellison 2
MBK: Bowen 16, Dean 9, Parrish 6, Walker 5, Watson 3, Hester 2