Cape Fear Outlast USC Salkehatchie

Cape Fear picked up one of its most complete wins of the season Wednesday night, outlasting USC Salkehatchie 96-83 in a game that felt more like a track meet than a half-court battle.

From the opening tip, both teams pushed the tempo relentlessly. The pace never slowed, with possessions flying back and forth and momentum swinging throughout the first half. Cape Fear found its rhythm midway through the period, building a double-digit lead with eight minutes remaining. But USC Salkehatchie responded quickly, drilling back-to-back three-pointers to trim the margin to six and keep the pressure on.

Still, Cape Fear maintained its composure and carried a 45-40 advantage into the locker room.

The Sea Devils opened the second half with defensive intensity, forcing consecutive stops, but early scoring opportunities wouldn't fall. The Indians capitalized, battling back to grab a brief two-point lead and setting the stage for a tense final stretch.

With about 10 minutes to play, Cape Fear began to steadily chip away. Timely baskets, strong execution in the half court, and clutch free throws down the stretch allowed the Sea Devils to regain control. Each possession down the stretch carried weight, and Cape Fear delivered when it mattered most, sealing the 13-point victory.

Greysen McCadden provided a spark off the bench, pouring in 26 points and knocking down six three-pointers in a breakout performance. Jonathan White added 20 points, while Brandon White contributed 13 points and nine rebounds in a strong all-around effort. JJ Moore flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds while orchestrating the offense during key stretches.

"We had a great three days of practice leading into this one, and I thought that preparation really showed," head coach Mark Lane said. "The guys were locked in from start to finish. This was definitely one of our best team wins of the year. I'm really proud of how they competed and stayed together when the game tightened up."

Cape Fear moves to 10-9 on the season and 4-6 in Region 10 play. The Sea Devils hit the road Saturday for a tilt with Region 10 foe, Gaston College. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm in Gastonia, NC.