Raiders drop OT slugfest against Fayetteville

8:35 p.m. Feb. 24, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

An overtime shootout ended the Raiders’ district run Tuesday night as Fayetteville outlasted Moore County, 84-75, in a high-scoring consolation thriller.

Colton Morey poured in a game-high 32 points to lead MCHS, while Anderson Sharpe added 24 in a back-and-forth battle that was tied at 60 at the end of regulation.

Moore County came out sharp. Morey scored seven points in the opening quarter – including a 3-pointer – and Cooper Dickey and Sharpe each knocked down treys as the Raiders built a 17-10 lead after one.

Fayetteville responded in the second. The Tigers flipped momentum and carried a 32-26 advantage into halftime despite seven second-quarter points from Sharpe and additional 3-pointers from both Sharpe and Morey.

The Tigers pushed their lead to 41-36 entering the fourth quarter. Morey accounted for five of Moore County’s nine points in the third, keeping the Raiders within striking distance.

The fourth quarter turned into a heavyweight exchange. Morey scored eight in the frame, and Sharpe added five, with both players drilling 3-pointers as Moore County clawed back to force overtime at 60-all.

In the extra period, the offensive fireworks continued – particularly for Fayetteville’s Jayden Thomas. Thomas scored 14 of his 29 points in overtime, taking control down the stretch. Brayden Arnold added 22 for the Tigers.

Morey refused to let the Raiders go quietly, scoring seven points in overtime, including another 3-pointer. Sharpe added five more in the extra session, also connecting from beyond the arc. But Fayetteville’s late surge proved decisive.

Dickey finished with 11 points for Moore County, Deacon Liles added seven, and Tristyn Gray scored one. The Raiders went 15-of-25 from the free-throw line.

Moore County now turns its attention to Region 5A play and will hit the road Saturday to face Eagleville. Tip time is 7. p.m.

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