Varsity basketball settled for third in last week’s region tournament after falling to McEachern, 48-45 in the semi-finals, and defeating Kennesaw Mountain in the consolation game, 71-46 on February 13 and 14.

NC battled with McEachern in a back-and-forth game that was tied at 30 going into the fourth quarter. Missed opportunities hurt the Warriors late, as they had the chance to cut the McEachern lead to two but failed three times.

After back-to-back threes in the third quarter, NC held a nine point lead. McEachern called a timeout and sparked a run of their own to take a three-point lead and permanently shift momentum in their favor.

The first quarter was dominated by junior guards Ricky Shearman and Myles Lake, as they scored 12 of NC’s 14 points to give the Warriors a 14-10 lead.

Lake had a game-high 16 points to lead the Warriors. Junior guard D.J. Render scored 13.

“That was the best game of my life,” Lake said. “It was rough not being able to come out with the win.”

On Saturday, NC bounced back and drilled Kennesaw Mountain 71-46. D.J. Render amazingly converted two four-point plays in the second quarter to give North Cobb the lead for good.

Junior Ricky Shearman lead the third place Warriors with 17 points and nine assists, just one assist shy of a double-double.