KNIGHTDALE - If Knightdale High School's 2011 Triangle Tip-Off over Thanksgiving was any indication of the basketball to come, fans can expect an exciting season of great hoops action.

After two days of play, the Rocky Mount Gryphons defeated the East Chapel Hill Wildcats, 71-61, to take the boys' championship. The Millbrook Lady Wildcats defeated the Knightdale Lady Knights, 57-34, for the girls' crown.

Now in its third year, Knightdale High School's Triangle Tip-Off showcased some of the area's top basketball talent Friday and Saturday.

A 60-49 win against Fike on Friday put the Lady Knights in the tournament's championship round. In the title game, Millbrook took charge from the opening buzzer and never eased up.

At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Wildcats had an 18-6 lead over the Knights, and at halftime they had a 22-point lead. Knightdale battled until the final buzzer but had to settle for second place in the tournament.

Despite the loss, Knightdale guard Ajee Smith stood out, scoring 14 points. Amber Wright and Kristen Maiden scored 7 points each.

For Millbrook, Alex Tomlinson was high-scorer with 14 points. Briana Day scored 11 and Mykia Jones contributed 8 to the win.

After an 83-70 opening-round loss to Rocky Mount, the Knightdale boys dominated Fike High School 74-54 to secure a third-place finish in the tournament.

"We played much better today than yesterday," said Knightdale head coach Battle Watkins. "We were consistent throughout the entire game."

In the matchup against Fike, the Knights jumped out to a quick lead, but the Demons kept it close throughout the first half. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Knightdale led 32-29.

The Demons came out fighting in the second half, but Knightdale's defense applied pressure and the Knights heated up on offense, surging to a 56-44 lead by the end of the third quarter in a series of plays that drew cheers from the nearly full stands.

With three minutes left, both teams sent in their reserves, who labored through the rest of the game. Knightdale maintained its dominance to the end.

"Seniors Curry Lassiter and Brian Okoye came out and showed leadership, and I'm proud of them," Battle said.

Okoye was Knightdale's high scorer in the runner-up game, with 20 points. Lassiter scored 18, and Quez Crowell and Keenan Wright scored 8 each. Top scorers for Fike were Joshua King with 13 points; Aaron Sessoms with 12, and Jermaine Crowder with 11 points.

Watkins was pleased with the tournament overall. "It has gone well. It has been a great tournament with quality teams and good fans," he said. "The tournament was a good way to give people something to do after they got tired of eating and shopping."