BEAUFORT — A prolonged football season that went all the way to the state semifinals delayed the start of Southside’s basketball season. The Seahawks, after getting some work in at practice, were able to finally open their season at East Carteret on Tuesday night.

The Mariners continued their strong start to the season with a dominant 86-47 win over the visiting Seahawks. East Carteret has only lost one game this season and is perfect at home.

The game, despite the result, was an effective way to kick off a delayed start to the season. It proved to be a sort of trial by fire. The first in-game experience gave the Seahawks an idea of things to work on as they prepare to travel to Jones Senior on Thursday and then play in the Northside Holiday Tournament.

 

BEAUFORT — The boys weren’t the only ones to open their season at East Carteret on Tuesday. The Lady Seahawks also traveled to take on the Mariners, but fell short in a 69-34 loss.

East Carteret exploded out of the gates with 27 points in the first quarter. It was smooth sailing from there as Southside trailed, 42-15, at halftime.

Shooting was an issue for Southside. They weren’t dropping, even for sophomore standout Symone Ruffin. She led the game with 15 points and had a pair of 3s, but was held to 36 percent from the field. The team as a whole shot just 22 percent.

The team has just three upperclassmen — and only one senior — among its ranks. It will take some time for the younger Lady Seahawks to settle in.

 

WILLIAMSTON — Northside’s defense held Bear Grass to nine or fewer points in each quarter of Tuesday’s win at Bear Grass. Meanwhile, the offense had a 34-point explosion in the second half to help lift the Panthers to the 58-37 win.

They led by just two baskets, 24-18, at halftime before getting 17 points in each of the finals two quarters.

The sizeable win was a big way to rebound from a loss at Washington on Friday. Northside led that game at halftime, but the Pam Pack was able to pull away for the win.

The Panthers now have momentum heading into their Holiday Tournament. They will host Pamlico County on Thursday before opening tournament play with a formidable Terra Ceia squad on Friday.

 

WILLIAMSTON — The Lady Panthers needed to bounce back just the same. They held a halftime lead over Washington, but couldn’t keep up when the opposition picked up the pace in the second half and cruised to a 50-36 win.

Northside turned around by decimating Bear Grass for a 53-37 win. The victory improves its record to 2-3 heading into Thursday’s home game with Pamlico County. The Lady Panthers will open Holiday Tournament competition with rival Southside on Friday.