At the start of the last quarter of Swansboro’s regular season, the full crowd was reminded of the significance of 2024 being displayed alongside the 1978 conference championship banner on the left side of the scoreboard.

The Pirates fought against Croatan in a conference game and managed to keep the score close for three quarters. However, in the fourth quarter they scored 35 points and defeated the Cougars 86-66. This victory brings their overall record to 23-1 as they enter the postseason.

Jacob Nagler had a hat trick in the first period, leading a 14-5 surge for Swansboro. This impressive start would set the tone for a memorable senior night performance for the guard.

In the first 16 minutes, seven Pirates made it onto the score sheet, and coach Brett McFarland’s team relied on each of them to fend off a comeback from Croatan.

Jaden Hilliard scored 6 points in the second quarter, the most on his team, to keep the Cougars close with only a two-point deficit at halftime, 27-22.

During the beginning of the third quarter, Tayvion Tangiora and Jermaine Cunningham dominated the game. The pair from Swansboro scored a total of 17 points by effortlessly controlling the paint.

Cunningham and Jaden Holt sank two three-pointers by Seth Boyette, giving the Pirates a 51-44 lead going into the fourth quarter, their biggest lead of the game.

In the following four minutes, there was a dramatic shift in the game. Nagler kept challenging the Cougar defense by driving to the basket and scoring. Elijah McCallister also contributed with a steal and a basket, while Tangiora added to the excitement with a slam dunk. Nagler then intercepted the inbound pass and scored two more points.

Following Tangiora’s successful post move for a three-point play, Swansboro went on a 23-7 run, increasing their lead to 20 points at 71-51.

In the final quarter, Nagler’s performance peaked as he scored 14 out of his total 26 points. His impressive display included a long-range three-pointer as the clock ran out, sealing the Pirates’ 22nd consecutive victory.

Swansboro Scoring:

• Nagler, 26
• Tangiora, 18
• Cunningham, 17
• Holt, 12
• McCallister, 4
• Hare, 3
• Grogg, 2
• Richmond, 2

Croatan Scoring:

• Hilliard, 19
• Green, 12
• McBride, 9
• Boyette, 8
• Woody, 8
• Jones, 6
• Crittenden, 3
• Martin, 1

Source: highschoolot.com