Raiders open with 21-2 blitz, roll to fourth straight win

Nine Raiders scored as MCMS buried Liberty, extending its unbeaten start ahead of Monday's matchup with Huntland

11:21 p.m. Oct. 29, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Liberty had two points after one quarter Thursday night. Moore County had 21. The Raiders built on that early advantage the rest of the night, rolling to a 64-17 victory and improving to 4-0 on the season.

Kurt Smith led Moore County with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while Sawyer Boyce finished with 10. Brantly Chapin added nine points, and Max Dickey scored eight as nine Raiders found their way into the scoring column.

Moore County scored 19 points in each of the middle two quarters, building a 40-9 halftime lead before stretching the margin to 59-11 heading into the fourth quarter.

Raiders seize control with 21-2 opening quarter

Dickey and Boyce each scored six points in the opening quarter, connecting on three baskets apiece. Smith chipped in five points with a field goal and a 3-pointer, while Chapin and Laken Wade each added a two-point basket.

The Raiders made nine two-point baskets and one 3-pointer in the period, accounting for all 21 points without a made free throw.

Liberty's only offense came on two free throws by Bentley Russell. Moore County carried a 19-point lead into the second quarter and kept piling on.

Chapin and Smith each scored five points in the second, both connecting on a two-point basket and a 3-pointer. Harrison Norman added four points on two field goals, while Grayson Hill and Boyce scored two apiece with baskets. Colton Alford made a free throw to complete Moore County's 19-point quarter.

Liberty found a little more offense, getting four points from Piston Foutz on two baskets. Sadler Rose added three points with a field goal and a free throw, giving Liberty seven for the period.

Moore County won the quarter 19-7 and led 40-9 at halftime.

Smith powers another 19-point quarter

Smith scored seven points in the third quarter, connecting on his third 3-pointer of the game, adding a two-point basket, and making both of his free throws. Hill chipped in four points on two field goals, while Chapin, Dickey, Boyce, and Norman each scored two on a basket.

The Raiders scored another 19 points in the third, matching their second-quarter output.

Russell accounted for Liberty's only third-quarter points with a two-point basket. Moore County won the period 19-2, pushing its lead to 59-11 entering the fourth.

Alford accounted for four of Moore County's five fourth-quarter points on two baskets. Lane Millaway added a free throw to complete the Raiders' scoring.

Liberty scored six in the final period. Blayne Warren knocked down a 3-pointer, while Foutz added a field goal and a free throw for three points.

Nine Raiders contribute to victory

Smith led Moore County with 17 points, followed by Boyce with 10, Chapin with nine, Dickey with eight, Hill and Norman with six apiece, Alford with five, Wade with two, and Millaway with one.

For Liberty, Foutz finished with seven points, Russell scored four, and Rose and Warren contributed three apiece.

Moore County made 24 two-point baskets and four 3-pointers, converting four free throws along the way. Liberty finished with five two-point baskets, one 3-pointer, and four free throws.

Moore County (4-0) returns to action Monday, Nov. 2, when Huntland visits.