On Friday, Enloe faced a significant challenge in the Cap 6 Conference tournament championship game. Their goal was to win and secure a spot in the state playoffs. However, a defeat would result in the end of their season.

Sanderson secured a spot in the playoffs after placing second in the conference during the regular season. However, the Spartans were on a quest for something they had been unable to achieve for quite some time – a conference championship in boys basketball.

At the conclusion of the game, the Sanderson student section flooded the court as the buzzer sounded. With a score of 55-52, the Spartans emerged victorious over Enloe, bringing an end to the Eagles’ season.

Enloe arrived at the conference tournament with only six victories in the regular season. However, they managed an unexpected streak in the tournament, defeating Leesville Road and the conference’s top team, Cardinal Gibbons. Even in their match against Sanderson, Enloe had a chance to win.

In the final moments of the game, the Spartans were leading by two points with only 4.1 seconds remaining. Freshman Kendrick Pulley made one of two free throws, extending Sanderson’s lead to three points. However, Enloe’s Owen Pedersen grabbed the rebound from Pulley’s missed shot and quickly passed it to Jamyr Coleman. With time running out, Coleman attempted a shot from the volleyball line but it hit the right side of the rim and bounced away.

Enloe was only a few inches away from tying the game and possibly going into overtime.

Pulley played a crucial role in helping Sanderson secure their victory in the final quarter. Despite entering with a comfortable 46-34 lead over Enloe, the Spartans struggled to score, only managing two field goals and nine points. However, Pulley’s impressive free throw performance, going 5-for-6, contributed to his total of nine points for the game.

Sanderson initially fell behind in the match, with Enloe taking a 16-15 lead in the first quarter. However, Sanderson bounced back in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 16-6 and securing a 31-22 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Sanderson extended their lead even further with a 15-12 advantage.

Nathan Fife was the top scorer for Sanderson with 18 points. Patrick Dalton contributed 12 points, while Ben Ellison put up 10 points.

Zarion Hobbs scored 13 points and Pederseon scored 11 points, leading Enloe to victory. Gift Moses also contributed 10 points for the Eagles.

On Saturday, Sanderson High School will learn the details of their first round match-up and location for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs. The brackets will be announced in the afternoon. The Spartans currently have a record of 18-8 and recently won the Cap 6 tournament, despite a close two-point defeat in their final regular season game against Leesville Road.

According to the most recent HighSchoolOT Playoff Projections, Sanderson is expected to be ranked as the No. 24 seed in the 4A East division and will have to face off against No. 9 New Bern in the first round.

Unfortunately, Enloe’s season will conclude after their defeat on Friday. The Eagles’ final record for the season is 8-19, however, they did manage to end on a strong note by winning five out of their last six games.

Source: highschoolot.com