WHITEVILLE – I’Keir Murchison lit up the scoreboard with 26 points for Tar Heel Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough as Whiteville Central outlasted the Panthers 40-34 in Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys basketball action.
D. J. Shipman who led the Hornets with 13 points flipped in a pair of baskets as Central took an early 10-4 lead. Cornelius Esters nailed a 3-point shot, and Josiah Robinson hit a free throw for Tar Heel.
Murchison fired in 2 baskets and a free throw in the second quarter, but the Hornets stretched the halftime lead to 22-9.
Tar Heel rallied in the third quarter as Murchison poured in 5 baskets, and Jahir Martinez tossed in 2 baskets to whittle the lead to 35-23.
Murchison connected on a 3-point shot, a pair of 2-point baskets and 5 free throws as the Panthers outscored the Hornets 12-5 in the final period.
Martinez finished with 4 points for the Panthers, and Montrez Holland totaled 8 points for Central.
Tar Heel will travel to Williams Township Thursday.
Tar Heel (34) – Josiah Robinson 1, Joseph Cooper, Cornelius Esters 3, Kaleb Gaddy, Stefane Jessup, Damontre Love, Jahir Martinez 4, I’Keir Murchison 26, Damarion Pone, Christopher Perez 2, Tavion Smith, Messyah Whitted.
