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ASKEWVILLE – The Northeast Academy varsity boys started their season with a third place finish in the Eric Baggett Scholarship Tournament held this past weekend at Bethel Assembly Christian Academy.

The boys dropped their opener on Friday to the host team before rebounding to best Ahoskie Christian School in the consolation game.

In the consolation round, the Eagles trailed 47-40 heading into the final period, but rebounded for a 54-44 victory.

“I’m really proud of our young men,” veteran NEA basketball boss John Brown said. “They worked hard the entire weekend. After falling behind last night, they didn’t give up and worked together on both ends of the court for a positive result.”

Jake Parks and Judson Smith led the offensive effort for the Eagles with 16 and 15 points respectively.

As the fourth quarter began, Smith hit a bucket that was followed by a triple off the hands of Parks as the Eagles surged ahead 42-40. Chance Lassiter then scored to make it a four-point lead before being countered by a hoop from Damion Walker as the Warriors cut the lead back to a pair.

Parks hit a hoop before Smith had back-to-back buckets to push the advantage to 50-42 with just 1:59 to play.

Ahoskie’s Preston Brenden Pierce stopped the run with a hoop at the 1:45 mark, but Northeast got closing field goals from Jaden Medford to pull out the win.

In addition to double figures from Parks and Smith, the Eagles got 10 from Medford, seven from Camden White, who was later named All-Tournament, and six from Lassiter.

Also following the tournament, Lassiter was awarded one of the Eric Baggett Scholarships.

Northeast started the tournament with a 45-38 loss to Bethel Assembly.

Parks led the Northeast scoring in that contest with 12 while Medford added 10. Lassiter scored six, Smith had four and White had three.

The Eagles, now 1-1 for the season, will host Kerr-Vance Academy at 6 p.m. at home on Wednesday night, Nov. 13.