Guard Randy Mauldin, forward Joe Easley and center Jay McElheny all had big scoring nights as Albemarle’s Bulldogs won the boys game 72-61. Mauldin led the way with 20 points, while Easley scored 19 and McElheny 16.

North Stanly’s girls, paced by forward Emily Cole and center Jennie Hayes with 13 and 10 points, respectively, triumphed 45-32 in the first game.

“We played well at times, especially in the first half,” said coach Al Andrew of Albemarle’s boys, now 8-5 overall.

The Bulldogs, who are 0-1 in the 1A Yadkin Valley Conference, hit 67.9 percent (19-for-28) of their field goals in the first half and took a 45-29 lead. Easley made four of his five 3-pointers in that half.

“The third quarter I knew they would make some kind of run,” Andrew continued.

The Comets, who lost their eighth straight game and fell to 4-9, trailed by 23 at 54-31. North Stanly rallied to within 11 at 56-45 at the end of the quarter.

“I don’t think we let up,” said Andrew. “I just think we forgot how we got the big lead: by moving the ball, making the extra pass, then making the shot, and getting the ball inside.”

The 6-5 McElheny, one of five senior starters for the Bulldogs, was unstoppable inside in the first half, going 5-for-5 for 10 points. He didn’t get the ball as often in the second half.

“I thought he really, really did some good things, but he also had people getting him the ball,” said Andrew.

“We tried to front him. Our guards didn’t put enough pressure on the wings,” said coach Rick Lewis of North Stanly. “So they just lobbed it right over us.”

The Bulldogs finished the night shooting 50 percent (28-for-56) on field goals.

Albemarle point guard E.J. Wall had a game-high 10 assists plus four points, six rebounds and a couple of steals.

“He’s one of our defensive stoppers. We had him on (Junior) McRae. He’s not offensive-minded,” said Andrew.

McRae, the Comets’ senior point guard, was playing for the first time since Dec. 14. He underwent intestinal surgery last month.

“I’d say he was maybe 40 percent tonight at best — real weak, real slow,” said Lewis. “Hopefully, a couple of days of practice and some running will help. We’ve got Salisbury on Monday. We don’t have much time.”

The Comets are off to an 0-4 start in the 2A Central Carolina Conference, playing all those games plus three others without McRae, who had a 22.7 scoring average before his surgery.He had three points last night.

Forward Stephen Vaughn (four 3-pointers) led the Comets with 14 points, while center O. J. Owens and freshman forward Travis Gordon had 12 apiece.

“We’ve got to play defense,” said Lewis. “Our goal’s 15 points a quarter. We gave up 22 and 23 in the first half. If we don’t play defense, we’re not going to beat anybody. ... I’m tired of candy-coating. We’re either going to play or we’re going to go home in the middle of February.”

North Stanly had defeated Albemarle 58-53 here on Dec. 10 with McRae scoring 25 points.

“We shot terribly that night from the perimeter,” said Andrew. “Also, North Stanly played real well. They’ll get Junior back and they’ll be a lot better.”

“It was big for us to get a little confidence back,” said coach Stan Napier of the Comets. “We’re still a legitimate playoff contender. We’ve just got to stay ahead of Salisbury, Lexington and East Davidson. We’ve got to go in the gym tomorrow and get ready for Salisbury and Sherree (Gillespie).”

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NOTES: North Stanly’s boys shot 44.4 percent on field goals, making 24 of 54. ... Albemarle, led by McElheny’s nine rebounds, had a 33-29 edge on the boards. Owens led North Stanly with nine.

GIRLS

NORTH STANLY (45) — Lowder, Coley 13, Hinkle 4, Stallings 6, Peoples 2, Russell 2, Isenhour, Harris 6, Terry, Hayes 10, Almond 2.

ALBEMARLE (32) — Hyatt 7, Lancaster 3, Carrothers 4, Harwood 2, Phillips 6, McIntyre 5, Holt, Smith, Dunevant 2, Hill 3.

North Stanly 12 10 6 17 — 45

Albemarle 8 7 3 14 — 32

BOYS

NORTH STANLY (61) — Owens 12, McDonald 7, Vaughn 14, Gordon 12, McRae 3, Watkins 9, Drye 2, Treadwell, Carter, Harris 2.

ALBEMARLE (72) — Easley 19, Watkins 3, McElheny 16, Mauldin 20, Wall 4, Davis, Williams, Carrothers 6, Shaver 4.

North Stanly 13 16 16 16 — 61