GREENSBORO, N.C. — “It’s hard to beat a good team twice” is an adage that doesn’t go out of style because there’s just too much truth to it, but there’s also some truth in this half of the equation — if you do beat a good team twice, look yourself in the mirror and call yourself good or something better.

Dudley’s boys basketball team had one of those wins on Friday night.

Against rival Ben L. Smith, the Panthers took a firm grasp of first place in the Mid-State 3A Conference by completing a season sweep by a 61-47 score.

Dudley (12-6, 9-1) has taken a step forward from a year ago when it won 16 games. The Panthers came out firing on all cylinders, taking a 17-12 lead after a quarter and 28-23 at half.

Ben L. Smith (17-3, 8-2), whose only other loss this season came to Greensboro Day, scored on the opening possession of the third quarter to cut the lead to three but never got any closer. The Golden Eagles had trouble driving the lane and couldn’t turn over the Panthers’ guards no matter the press.

Last season, Dudley lost three of four matchups with Smith, meeting twice in the regular season, once in the conference tournament, then again in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

C.J. Jones, a junior who passed the 1,000-point mark for his career during the game, had 16 points as did senior teammate C.J. Neely. LiShawn Speller hit two 3s to finish with 12 points.

Junior Jyi Dawkins was a bright spot for the Golden Eagles, scoring 18 points. Kenny Miller Jr. added 13.

BOX SCORE:
BLS: 12-11-11-13 47
DUD: 17-11-15-18 61

SCORING:
BLS: Gavin Palmore 2, Kenny Miller Jr. 13, Kendrick Johnson 3, Tayshawn Mann 4, Jyi Dawkins 18, Jordan Partee 3, Darius Chukwuemeka 2
DUD: C.J. Neely 16, C.J. Jones 16, Kamaron McNeil 2, Zion Nicholas 5, Andrew Rogers 2, LiShawn Speller 12, Kohi Strickland 8

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