After Friday night’s girls basketball game on December 1, there is no doubt that the long time rivalry between Pinecrest and Union Pines has intensified. When the game started at 6pm in Pinecrest’s gymnasium, the tension in the air was nearly palpable. The bleachers on each side of the gym were jam-packed with students from both schools who “were much involved in supporting their [respective] teams,” said PHS coach Ronshau Cole. “It was a great atmosphere!”

 

Indeed it was. During the first quarter of the game, both schools started out strong, with Pinecrest scoring 18 points and Union Pines scoring 15. A little worry came over Patriots fans during the second quarter of the game when Pinecrest only scored 10 points and Union Pines achieved another 15. However, Pinecrest came back stronger than ever in the third quarter when they scored a total of 19 points. Union Pines only ended up scoring 12 points in that quarter. The final round ended with Pinecrest giving a good defensive effort and scoring 17 more points, while Union Pines only managed 14 points. It was a close game, but Pinecrest emerged as the victor with a final score of 64-56.

 

This could not have been possible without the fans filling the gym.

 

Junior Malika Dailey #10 said, “The atmosphere makes you feel like you have to bring your all and more, you have to stay on point.”

 

Senior Tykiaya Carter #44 confirmed this, saying, “The intensity level of the crowd and the bench caused us as a team to play harder. The situation that we were face with forced us to come together and really play like a team.”  

 

Thus, the Pinecrest vs Union Pines girls varsity basketball game came to a close. It was an exciting conclusion to a Friday night, but it’s definitely not the end of the rivalry between the two schools.

“Having the crowd behind us the whole game made the win even better,” remarked junior Kelly Clark #23. So, support Pinecrest in the next games that they have this month, for a positive crowd always energizes the players and makes a better game.