The Eagles were looking for a series sweep while the Grizzlies were hoping to answer avenge their 50–41 loss to the Eagles earlier in the season.

East Wake Academy (6-11, 3-5 Central Carolina Athletic League) struggled in the first quarter, but finished on opportunities and created more turnovers in the second quarter.

Senior guard Damarr McCarthy drove the basket early on and drew a foul to score the Eagles’ first 3 points. Senior Jimmy Polito also scored the first 3 of his team-high 12 points early in the first, but the home team watched as their scoring effort diminished and the Grizzlies took a 9-8 lead at the first break.

In the second frame the Eagles kicked into high gear to dominate the offensive and defensive boards and convert push ahead to a 25-15 lead at the half.

“We came out flat to start the game, missed a few early shots, but then we woke up,” Eagle head coach Miguel Bonano said. “Then we took a short nap to finish out the first quarter and during the break I told the guys, ‘We need to wake up. We are moving the ball around great but we need to score.’ The guys adjusted in the second quarter, which I think proved that we were a better team, we just needed to play like it.”

The Eagles started the second half the same way the first half ended, scoring nearly 20 points while limiting Clover Garden to just 8 points.

A spirited effort by senior Evan Holland, diving on loose balls, shooting 3-of-4 from the field and adding two steals, allowed the Eagles to stretch their lead to 18 points by the end of the third quarter.

The Grizzlies started the fourth quarter with 10 unanswered points cutting the Eagle’s advantage to just 8 points, but East Wake Academy found it’s legs and was able to hold on for the win.

McCarthy earned a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Along with his 12 points, Polito also added five assists. Sophomore Terrance McCarthy had 9 points, eight rebounds and five blocks for the Eagles.