At the beginning of the new year, Falls Lake Academy faced one of its most challenging exams of the season.

The Firebirds faced a tough challenge on the road against Southern Alamance at 3A. Despite a slow start and a strong third quarter from the Patriots, they managed to hold on and secure a 50-47 victory.

The win boosts Falls Lake’s score to 13-0. They were previously ranked number 25 in HighSchoolOT’s overall rankings for girls’ basketball.

The Firebirds only managed to score three baskets in the first quarter.

During the game, there was an impressive scoring sequence by Emerson Thompson, who made a three-point shot and was followed by successful three-pointers by Madison Oakley and Lindsey Crabtree. Sunny Yarnell also contributed to the team’s score by coming off the bench and scoring five points, leading the team to end the first quarter with a score of 7-9.

As the first half was winding down, Thompson and the Firebirds were able to gain some momentum.

In the second quarter, the visitors went on an 11-0 run, giving them their biggest lead of the game at 13 points. Thompson consistently scored at the rim while freshman Destiny Williams also contributed, leading Falls Lake to a 22-14 advantage at halftime.

Southern Alamance started the second half with a lot of energy. The Patriot defense caused four turnovers, resulting in points for the team.

Morgan Edmunds initiated a 13-3 scoring streak by stealing the ball and making a layup. She then made a three-pointer, followed by two more from Morgan Brouillard, and contributed one of her own. Yarnell assisted in securing Southern’s first and only advantage of the evening at 29-28 with 3:05 remaining in the third quarter.

Thompson swiftly shifted the momentum in favor of the away team by making three consecutive three-point shots, regaining the lead. The player pledged to Campbell University scored all 15 points for the Firebirds in the third quarter, giving them a 37-34 advantage.

The three-point lead would remain intact during the final eight minutes of back-and-forth play.

Thompson, Oakley, and Crabtree all made successful long-range shots at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Just as it seemed Falls Lake had gained enough of a lead to easily win, Southern staged a final comeback.

Yarnell and Morgan Isley ignited a surge of 11-2 points in the final quarter, reducing the deficit to three. Isley contributed 9 out of his 13 points in the second half, boosting the Patriots’ performance.

During the last 90 seconds of the game, Southern Alamance had three chances to score a game-tying three-pointer, but Brouillard was not able to make the shot. Thompson sealed the game with a defensive block as time ran out, capping off his 32-point performance.

The Firebirds will face tough opponents in their upcoming non-conference matches against Vance Charter, who holds a record of 7-1, on Thursday and 3A Williams, with a record of 8-2, on January 15. In their previous match on December 1, Vance Charter gave Falls Lake a close game with a score of 49-47.

Southern Alamance currently holds a record of 4 wins and 8 losses. They have a rapid turnaround as they resume conference games on Friday evening at Cedar Ridge.

Falls Lake Scoring:

• Thompson, 32
• Crabtree, 8
• Oakley, 6
• Sanders, 2
• Williams, 2

Southern Alamance Scoring:

• Brouillard, 18
• Isley, 13
• Yarnell, 11
• Edmunds, 5

Source: highschoolot.com