Day 1 Brings Defensive Battles and Breakout Performances at FCA Women’s Winter Classic
Day 1 Leading Scorers – FCA Women’s Winter Classic
Abby Rose (North Duplin) – 22 points
Lilly Fulghum (North Duplin) - 15 points
Aleah Hill (Kinston) – 13 points
Ariyona Willis (Kinston) – 12 points
Makenzie Herring (South Lenoir) – 12 points
Angel Godard (Farmville Central) – 12 points
Nasheyla Mason (Kinston) – 11 points
Tamiya Boone (Eastern Wayne) – 11 points
Zarri Cobb (South Lenoir) – 10 points
J’Riyanna Edwards (Kinston) – 10 points
Jayce Russell (Greene Central) – 8 points
Azaria Mumford (Greene Central) – 8 points
Lashonda Hines (Farmville Central) – 8 points
Kaydien Joyner (Farmville Central) – 8 points
Day 1 Recap: 5th Annual FCA Women’s Winter Classic
Day one of the 5th Annual FCA Women’s Winter Classic delivered a full slate of storylines Saturday, from last-minute schedule changes to defensive battles and statement wins as teams positioned themselves for the championship and consolation rounds.
Southern Wayne was forced to withdraw prior to tip-off due to multiple players out with illness, giving North Lenoir (4-5) a bye and a direct path into Monday’s winner’s bracket action.
Greene Central 29, Eastern Wayne 26
Greene Central (6-1) overcame a slow start and the absence of star forward An’Nysha Wooten to rally past Eastern Wayne (1-6) in a defensive struggle.
The Rams failed to score in the first quarter and trailed 7-0 after eight minutes, but their defense flipped the game. Greene Central finished with 13 steals, eight from Azaria Mumford, three from Jazmine Davis, and two from Janiya Sutton, turning stops into momentum.
Senior Jayce Russell carried the load inside, finishing with eight points and 13 rebounds, while Mumford added eight points and Sutton chipped in six. Kharma Schuster continued her rim protection presence with four blocks.
Eastern Wayne was led by Tamiya Boone with 11 points, Jada Harris with seven, and Jayla Woodard with five.
Greene Central advances to face North Lenoir for the third time this season on Monday, Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. The Rams are 2-0 against the Hawks this year, though both previous meetings came with Wooten in the lineup.
Eastern Wayne will drop into the consolation bracket and receive a bye, returning to action Monday at 3:30 p.m. against the winner of South Lenoir and North Duplin.
Farmville Central 52, South Lenoir 45
South Lenoir (0-5) came out firing against Farmville Central (5-3), but the Blue Devils settled in defensively and controlled the middle quarters to earn the win.
Makenzie Herring knocked down two three-pointers and scored eight first-quarter points to help South Lenoir trail by just one after the opening period. Farmville answered with 13 points in both the first and second quarters and focused its defense on Herring the rest of the way.
Herring finished with 12 points to lead South Lenoir, while Zarri Cobb added 10, Campbell Price scored seven, and Janna Outlaw chipped in six.
Farmville was balanced offensively, led by Angel Godard with 12 points. Lashonda Hines and Kaydien Joyner each finished with eight, while Madalyn Cook added seven.
South Lenoir will face North Duplin on Monday, Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m., while Farmville advances to a winner’s bracket matchup against Kinston at 7:00 p.m.
Kinston 62, North Duplin 45
Kinston (5-0) closed out the night with a strong second-half performance against North Duplin (4-3), pulling away for a 62-45 victory.
North Duplin hung tough early and led 17-16 after the first quarter, but Kinston turned up the pressure and outscored the Rebels 46-28 over the final three quarters.
The Vikings placed four players in double figures, led by Aleah Hill with 13 points, Ariyona Willis with 12, Nasheyla Mason with 11, and J’Riyanna Edwards with 10. Kiarh Pearson added six.
North Duplin was led by Abby Rose, who scored 12 points in the first quarter and finished with 22, while Lilly Fulgham added 15.
Kinston will face Farmville Central on Monday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the winner’s bracket. North Duplin will play South Lenoir earlier in the day at 3:30 p.m.
Monday’s schedule will feature loser’s bracket games at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m., followed by winner’s bracket matchups at 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., setting the stage for Tuesday’s placement and championship games.
