Pitt CC defeats LCC in matchup with six local high school stalwarts

LCC’s Darius Dunn was one of six former local high school stars playing in Thursday’s game between the Lancers and Pitt CC. Photo by William “Bud” Hardy / Neuse News

For one night at Lenoir Community College, it felt like a local high school All-Star game.

The Lancers took on Pitt Community College Thursday and six former high school stars were able to showcase their skills between the teams. LCC had Kinston’s Darius Dunn and Bethel Christian’s Tyler Sutton, while PCC has Kinston’s Reginald Clark, Taji Moore and Rujon Walters, along with Greene Central’s DonQuez Davis on the roster.

The Bulldogs (3-3) ultimately won the game 80-69 and Clark played a big role with 16 points, including 10 in a 5-minute stretch to open the second half. It was PCC’s first game since Nov. 11 and Clark said the team was ready.

“We hadn’t played in nearly three weeks, so we were hype for any game,” Clark said. “We listened to the coaches and came out ready to play.”

Davis finished with 11 points, hitting a trio of 3-pointers in the first half and extending Pitt’s lead to 71-62 with 3:04 to play after a steal and layup. Davis, who played against three of his teammates in numerous Kinston-Greene Central battles over the years, said it was a good feeling coming back.

“We always played hard against each other and now that we have the chance to become teammates, I’ve learned a lot from them,” Davis said. “Communication is key, but it’s been good to come out here.”

Walters scored eight points in the contest and said it was great seeing so many friends and family members in the crowd.

“The hometown really came out to support, which meant a lot,” Walters said. “Over the past four years (at Kinston High) they showed us love and it’s great to see them following us here.”

Moore played in his first game of the season Thursday and it had additional positives for him.

“It felt good to come out and beat LCC and also play again in Kinston,” Moore said.

On the opposite side, Dunn tried to keep the Lancers (5-4) in the game, scoring eight of his 10 points in the second half. Dunn hit back-to-back 3-pointers, then had an assist in a span of two minutes to bring LCC within 60-56 with 8:19 to play.

“It was good to come out and compete, but we didn’t come out with a win,” Dunn said. “We’ve got to get back to work — we’ve got a long season, but we’ll be alright.”

Sutton paced the Lancers early with eight of his 10 points coming in the first half. Sutton said it was a good experience, but the loss stung.

“It was fun to play against some of the guys we grew up with but, we wish we could’ve gotten a win,” Sutton said. “We didn’t execute as well, so we need to sharpen our skills.”

LCC’s next game will be on the road Sunday against Brunswick CC at 3 p.m. The Lancers next home game is slated for Dec. 8 against Catawba Valley CC at 3 p.m.