HOBGOOD – Northeast Academy and Hobgood Academy split a pair of varsity basketball games here Wednesday night.

In the girl’s contest, despite an early first quarter lead, the Lady Eagles fought back from a 19-15

halftime deficit to post a 37-32 win, evening their record in Tarheel Independent Conference play at 2-2. It was also NEA’s second consecutive win and first of the New Year.

Carly Stephenson led the way for NEA (3-9) with a dozen points while Jessie Martin added 10 more. Allie Liveman had seven, while Haven Jilcott added five, with two for Summer Warmack and one by Kierstyn Polson.

Hobgood (2-9, 1-3, TIC) was led by Ja’Niya Matthewson and Morgan Waters, who contributed seven points each.

In the boy’s contest, Hobgood turned up their defense in the fourth quarter, limiting Northeast to just a five-point effort in the frame, and cruised to a 60-44 win keeping the Raiders unbeaten in conference play at 4-0. Maurice Batts led all scorers in the game with 18 points for Hobgood.

The Eagles trailed by six at the mid-break, 28-22, and were able to pull within a pair, 41-39, at the end of the third quarter. But Hobgood outscored the visitors 19-5 in the final quarter to take the game.

Justin Jones’14 points led NEA, with 11 more from Dylan Edwards for the only Eagles players in double figures. Elsewhere, J.T. Simmons contributed five points, four for Brandyn Polson and three each from Michael Smith and Ryan Rowe. Kendall Timberlake and Noah Lassiter had two points apiece.

Northeast played at Terra Ceia in Pantego last night (Friday), then continue the road trip in Elizabeth City on Tuesday with a date (Jan. 8) against The Albemarle School. The Eagles’ next home game is Jan. 11 against Lawrence Academy.