LASKER – With less than three seconds left in the game, the Northeast Academy varsity boy’s basketball team held a one-point lead over Rocky Mount Academy.

Just 20 seconds earlier, NEA’s Tyler Davis had sunk a layup to give his team that lead.

With the visitors trying to steal the victory, NEA’s Rich Edwards was fouled under the RMA basket while fighting for a rebound.

As the crowd stood on it’s feet cheering for each of their teams, Edwards stepped up to the foul line.

Edwards hit both shots to give NEA a 3-point lead, one they held onto to take the 47-44 victory.

NEA led from the opening basket, taking a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After outscoring RMA 16-9 in the second quarter, NEA held a 31-22 lead at the half.

NEA had a great defensive effort against RMA, causing 10 turnovers in the first half, but RMA came out of the locker room fired up for the second half.

The visitors made four baskets to end the third quarter, ending a 13-point quarter for RMA.

During the same time, NEA had baskets by Edwards, Brian McLean and Buddy Duke to hold onto a 37-35 lead at the close of the third quarter.

During a physical fourth quarter, NEA hit four foul shots to pull ahead 41-35 with just under seven minutes left in the game.

Mike Alston hit two baskets and Mike Schmitt added a three-pointer to pull RMA within one, 43-42.

Schmitt hit his next basket to put RMA up for the first time in the game, 44-43, with under a minute remaining.

The shot by Davis and Edwards’ two foul shots gave NEA the 47-44 victory.

McLean led the Eagles with 12 points, while Edwards and Duke added 11 apiece.

Lance Jenkins pulled down 9 rebounds and McLean and Duke each had 5 boards.

&uot;The defense came out and played well,&uot; said NEA head coach John Brown.

&uot;They put a lot of pressure on Rocky Mount.&uot;

Despite NEA’s defensive pressure, RMA was able to get numerous second and third shots, out-rebounding NEA 40-28.

&uot;We have to rebound to be a strong team.

We also need to cut down on turnovers,&uot; Brown said.

The Junior Varsity Eagles fell 40-16 to RMA.

Ashley Cornwell had nine points for NEA in the loss.

Northeast (47): Brian McLean – 12, Buddy Duke – 11, Rich Edwards – 11, L. Jenkins – 7, D. Pinnix – 2, T. Davis – 2, B. Barrett – 2

Rocky Mount (44): Mike Schmidt – 12, Garrett Bunch – 10, John Stilley – 10, C. Cone – 4, M. Alston – 4, A. Warren – 2, C. Locke – 2