TAR HEEL – Len’ya Harrell nailed a 17-foot jumper that beat the buzzer and gave Tar Heel a 24-23 Waccamaw Middle School Conference girls basketball victory over Nakina Tuesday.
The Lady Panthers took a 21-19 lead into the final period, but a Kaylee Etheridge basket and free throws from Carmen Buck and Riley Brice edged Nakina in front.
Alina Chavez sank a free throw to keep Tar Heel within 23-22, before Harrell buried the game-winner.
Harrell poured in 17 points to lead all scorers. Teammate Azillyah McDonald tallied 4 points. Etheridge led Nakina with 16 points.
Harmony Jacobs and Harrell pumped in baskets as the Lady Panthers built a 4-3 lead at the quarter break. Harrell tossed in 2 baskets and a free throw in the second period, and McDonald threw in a basket to keep Tar Heel up 11-10 at halftime.
Harrell popped in a trio of third quarter baskets and 2 free throws. McDonald flipped in a basket to keep the Lady Panthers up 21-19. Etheridge connected on 3 free throws and 2 baskets to keep Nakina close.
Coach Jolanda Crumb’s Lady Panthers improved to 2-6 and will travel to Elizabethtown Tuesday.
Nakina 3 7 9 4 – 23
Tar Heel 4 7 10 3 -24
TAR HEEL (24) – Trinity Brayboy, Sarah Dillard, Len’ya Harrell 17, Kiera Lewis, Azillyah McDonald 4, Violet Allen, Alina Chavez 1, Sherlyn Martinez, Leslie Lemus, Tiannah Willis, Harmony Jacobs 2, Eliona Padilla.