Monday night marked the end of two remarkable seasons for Sampson County’s varsity girls basketball programs.
The Clinton Lady Dark Horses, finishing 25-2 overall, fell 58-48 to the First Flight Nighthawks in their Elite Eight matchup. Meanwhile, the Lakewood Lady Leopards closed their year at 20-9 after a 66-29 setback against Pamlico County in the regional round.
Though neither squad advanced to the regional or state championship game, both coaches walked away proud of what their teams accomplished.
First Flight 58, Clinton 48
For Clinton, the matchup with First Flight unfolded exactly how head coach Chris Owens anticipated — tight, tactical and defined by runs.
“It was one of those games — basketball is a game of runs,” Owens reflected Tuesday morning. “We would make an 8-0 run and then they’d come back with a 10-0 run. We’d go on a 9-0 run, they’d answer. It was back and forth all night.”
The contest remained tightly contested throughout the first half. Clinton carried a one-point advantage into the locker room, and Owens believed the two teams were evenly matched.
“I really thought both teams left everything out on the court,” he said. “I thought we ran our offense well. We got shots we wanted. Sometimes it just felt like there was a lid on the rim for us.”
Statistically, the Lady Dark Horses were led by junior Rubi Davila, who poured in 18 points. Senior Jayla Pickett added 10, while senior Ciara Stuart contributed nine. Phoenix Everett chipped in nine points of her own, and Clinton finished with 22 steals as a team, forcing First Flight into uncomfortable stretches.
Owens credited First Flight for executing late.
“If I’m just looking at it without coaching either team, I still felt like Clinton had the edge,” he admitted. “But they made the right decisions at the end to pull away and win the game.”
Despite the disappointment, Owens quickly turned his attention toward the future. With Davila, Everett and several other experienced juniors set to return, the foundation remains intact.
“We told them last night, the expectation is still high,” Owens stated. “The seniors led the way, and now it’s on them. That’s what LDHs do. They’re going to be checking on them, whether they’re in college or the Army or wherever they go. The expectation doesn’t drop.”
For seniors like Stuart and Pickett, Monday marked the final chapter of their high school careers. Owens made sure they understood their impact stretched far beyond the scoreboard.
“I thanked them for four years of hard work and leadership,” he said. “They set the tone for what we’re about on and off the court. And we let them know, it doesn’t matter where they are — they can call on us 24/7.”
When asked to assess the season as a whole — an undefeated regular season, conference regular-season title and deep playoff run — Owens didn’t hesitate.
“Yes. I consider this season a success,” he emphasized. “Only one team ends the year happy. But these girls built a sisterhood. We tried to prepare them for life. There’s going to be hard times. There’s going to be tears. It’s how you respond to it. That’s success to me.”
Pamlico County 66, Lakewood 29
Over in Pamlico County, Lakewood faced a different type of challenge.
From the opening minutes, the Hurricanes threw constant pressure at sophomore standout Areona McKoy, boxing her in, sending double teams and forcing the ball out of her hands.
“They didn’t surprise us,” Lakewood head coach Lofton Kerr explained. “They had a lot of bodies to throw at Areona. That’s what every team’s scouting report says — take her out.”
What compounded the challenge was early foul trouble. McKoy picked up her third foul in the first half and her fourth early in the second quarter, limiting both her aggressiveness and minutes on the floor. Fellow contributor Jahmai Rich also battled foul issues.
“That’s when they really took the lead,” Kerr said. “With only eight players, I tell my girls all the time — I need you in the game more than I need a blocked shot. Go straight up. Stay disciplined.”
McKoy, who had strung together multiple 40-point performances during the conference tournament and postseason, was held to 13 points — still fighting through contact and defensive pressure.
“For a sophomore to do what she’s done all year is impressive,” Kerr noted. “Teams boxed her, double-teamed her all season, and she still found ways to score. She’s a tough cookie.”
The Hurricanes’ depth and Lakewood’s limited rotation proved decisive. Once key players were forced to the bench with foul trouble, the margin widened.
Still, Kerr emphasized pride rather than disappointment.
“Oh yeah, I view this season as a big-time success,” he said of the season overall. “We finished second in the conference [regular season], won the conference tournament, and went deep in the playoffs. With limited numbers, you can’t ask for much more. I’m proud of them.”
Unlike many programs at this stage, Lakewood graduates no seniors, returning virtually its entire roster next winter.
“Oh yes,” Kerr responded when asked about optimism. “We have enough to get back — maybe even further. We just have to bond, get in the summer league, go to camps, and keep working.”
Looking Ahead
Two different locker rooms. Two different final scores. But similar themes.
Growth. Leadership. Sisterhood. Foundation.
Clinton concludes at 25-2 — regular-season conference champions and Elite Eight participants. Lakewood closes at 20-9 — conference tournament champions and quarterfinalists.
Only one team each year ends with a trophy and no loss to follow. But in Sampson County, both programs walk away with something just as meaningful — belief that the standard has been raised and the future remains bright.
And judging by the returning talent on both sides, Monday night may have been an ending — but it also marked a beginning.