The Lumberton (NC) varsity basketball team will host Cape Fear (Fayetteville, NC) for a home conference game on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know Basketball:

What: North Carolina High School Basketball
Who: Lumberton vs Cape Fear
When: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 6:30. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

Basketball Showdown: Cape Fear vs. Lumberton – A Key Conference Matchup

As the high school basketball season heats up, fans in Fayetteville and Lumberton are gearing up for an exciting rivalry clash between Cape Fear High School and Lumberton High School. The two teams will meet on Friday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Lumberton’s gym, marking the first of two conference games between these squads this season.

Team Overview

• Cape Fear (1-3 overall) has struggled so far this season, with a 1-2 record at home and an 0-1 mark on the road. Their offensive output has been modest, averaging 48.5 points per game, and they’ll need to elevate their performance if they hope to compete against a high-scoring Lumberton team. Cape Fear has been particularly effective in the second half, scoring an average of 16.7 points in the final quarter, showing resilience in the later stages of games.
• Lumberton (5-2 overall) enters this matchup with a much stronger record, boasting a .714 win percentage. The Pirates have been efficient both at home (2-1) and on the road (3-1), and their offense is averaging 54 points per game. Lumberton’s balanced scoring and strong second-half performances, including an average of 15.3 points in the fourth quarter, give them the edge heading into this conference game.

Key Players to Watch

• Cape Fear:
  • Damien Gary (15.0 PPG) is the team’s primary offensive weapon. He will be pivotal in keeping Cape Fear competitive against Lumberton’s scoring prowess.
  • Tyler Eavenson (10.0 RPG, 7.0 APG) is the standout on both ends of the floor, contributing significantly in rebounds and assists.
• Lumberton:
  • Jaiden Shephard (18.7 PPG, 15.7 RPG, 4.1 SPG) has been the driving force behind Lumberton’s early success. His ability to score, rebound, and disrupt opponents defensively makes him one of the most versatile players on the court.
  • Amare Jones (6.9 APG) is another key contributor, facilitating the offense and ensuring the Pirates maintain their high-scoring rhythm.

Team Stats Comparison

Both teams have distinct strengths:

• Cape Fear averages 49.7 points per game, but struggles with rebounding (14.3 RPG) and steals (4.7 SPG), while their assists (9.3 APG) remain a weak point compared to Lumberton’s more efficient ball movement.
• Lumberton has a higher-scoring offense at 53.3 points per game and dominates the boards with 36.3 rebounds per game. Their defense is also superior, with 10 steals per game and an average of 1.6 blocks per game.

Head-to-Head History

While Cape Fear has a record of 0-1 against common opponents this season, Lumberton has fared better with a 1-1 record. Both teams have faced challenges in their non-conference matchups, but Cape Fear has struggled more, especially in their December 5 loss to Fairmont (60-45). Lumberton, on the other hand, won a tight contest with Fairmont earlier this season (43-35).

Upcoming Games

This contest is the first of two head-to-head matchups between these teams, with the return game set for January 24, 2025, at Cape Fear. This series will have significant implications for the conference standings, as both teams aim to position themselves for playoff contention.

What to Expect

Fans can expect a thrilling, fast-paced game. Cape Fear will look to overcome their early-season struggles by exploiting their offensive potential, while Lumberton will rely on their strong all-around play, especially the dominant presence of Shephard. With both teams fighting for supremacy in their conference, this promises to be an action-packed contest that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Game Details:

• Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Lumberton High School Gymnasium

Don’t miss out on this exciting matchup, as both teams will bring their best to the court in a pivotal conference showdown.