RALEIGH, N.C. — It was the type of win that puts the state on notice. And Clayton has 4A on notice.

The No. 25 Comets didn’t take a lead until the fourth quarter, but that was all they needed to take a 65-59 win over No. 5 New Hanover

New Hanover (4-2), last year’s 4A runner-up that returns almost everyone, led 37-28 at halftime and 53-48 after the third quarter. But Clayton (4-1), who hasn’t lost since getting its football players back, turned things up defensively in the fourth.

Clayton point guard Aiden Smalls started getting the Comets into more of an up-and-down game instead of halfcourt, which played to their advantage.

Smalls had 13 points, Darrion Ellis had 17, Justice Mitchell had 17, and Andrew Grimes had 15. Khaleil Walters had seven to round out the Comets’ scoring.

New Hanover was led by Jazir Wright-McGhee’s 13 points and 12 form Zeus Batts’ 12 points. Rodmik Allen, a returning HSOT all-state selection, had seven, while another returning pick, Noah Billings, had four.