Raiders split in Boys’ JV Tournament

8:05 p.m. Jan. 17, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County opened JV tournament play in strong fashion Saturday, Jan. 17, pulling away early and never looking back in a 39-21 win over the Liberty Patriots at Lincoln County High School.

The Raiders set the tone defensively from the opening tip, holding Liberty to just two points in the first quarter while building a 9-2 lead. Moore County continued to control the game in the second quarter, extending its advantage to 20-12 by halftime, and carried a 29-19 lead into the fourth.

Liberty struggled to generate offense throughout the contest and managed only two points in the final period, both coming from the free-throw line, as the Raiders closed out the win.

Harrison Norman led Moore County with 14 points, while Sully Townes added 11 points, including a 3-pointer.

Colton Alford scored five points, Brady Hall finished with four, Max Dickey had three, and Maddon Liles added two.

Moore County was efficient at the free-throw line, converting 4 of 6 attempts in the victory.

Unity 28, Raiders 25

Moore County came up just short in its second game of the JV tournament Saturday, falling 28-25 in the semifinals to the Unity Lions in a tightly contested matchup at Lincoln Central Academy.

The Raiders got off to a strong start, building an 8-3 lead after the first quarter. Unity responded in the second period, edging ahead 13-12 by halftime, and carried a slim 19-17 advantage into the fourth.

Moore County made a late push behind Maddon Liles, who scored all seven of his points in the final quarter, including a 3-pointer, but the comeback attempt fell short down the stretch.

Max Dickey finished with five points, while Colton Alford and Harrison Norman scored four apiece. Lane Millaway added three points, and Sully Townes chipped in two.

Free throws proved costly for the Raiders, who converted just 2 of 8 attempts at the line in the narrow loss.