“We just are taking things a game at a time, that’s all we can do.” That’s what Lakewood’s head coach Vonnie McNeil had to say following her team’s 44-34 win in another scrappy Carolina 1A Conference game against Neuse Charter on Friday night.

The road win was a good one, as any road win is in conference play, and McNeil knew that, though her team, for about the fifth game in a row did not have their best stuff. They struggled shooting the ball and struggled at the free-throw line, but in the end, they made the free-throws that really mattered, and were able to do what they needed to do to get the win.

It was kind of fitting that they Lady Leopards cap their regular season off with a win of such sorts, because that is essentially what they have done all season. They haven’t necessarily been a “well-oiled machine,” but they have fought hard, and more times than not, found a way to win.

This time, it was them pulling away late from a feisty bunch of Neuse Charter players. The game was tight the whole way, until the workman-like style of play from the Lady Leopards wore them down, just as they did to James Kenan on Tuesday night.

Briana Evans continued to have a good finish to the season, as she lead Lakewood in scoring with 17 points. Chanel McClellan played another tough game, and scored efficiently for the Lady Leps, as she added 10, rounding out the double-figure scorers for the McNeil’s team.

Jada Moore and Justina Henry neither had their best night scoring the ball, as both of them scored 7, but they did some really nice things outside of just scoring, as they played solid defense and had made some hustle plays that helped determine the final outcome.

Lakewood is now prepping for the Carolina 1A tournament that starts this week. Times and scheduling were unofficial as of press time, but check Maxpreps.com to check for updated tournament brackets.

Reach Adam Capps at 910-214-9585

By Adam Capps

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Lakewood’s Justina Henry heads towards the hoop in a game from earlier this season.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_henry.jpgLakewood’s Justina Henry heads towards the hoop in a game from earlier this season.