From staff reports

Freshman Antonio Houston scored five straight points in the last minute to give Catawba a hard-earned 79-76 victory over Barton in the opening round of the Lenoir-Rhyne Moretz Classic in Hickory on Friday.

Houston started his game-winning surge with a three-point play with one minute left. With Catawba (4-6) trailing 76-74, Houston’s field goal and a free throw gave the Indians a 77-76 advantage.

Barton (5-3) missed a pair of shots, and after Catawba got the rebound, Houston, who led the Indians with 22 points, hit two free throws to clinch the win. Chris Wooldridge scored 19 before fouling out.

Catawba will try for its third straight victory today against Augusta State (Ga.) at 2 p.m. in the final round.

* Northwest gets third

The Northwest Cabarrus boys took third place in the NorthEast Medical Holiday Prep Classic on Saturday — but just barely.

The Trojans defeated Myers Park

70-69 in overtime, but not before they had to agonize as a Myers Park free throw with a second left bounced and bounced and bounced on the rim before falling off.

“I got a Coke, went to the bathroom and had lunch while that ball was rolling around,” joked Trojans coach Daniel Jenkins, whose team improved to 9-3.

Jon Hathcock hit what proved to be the winning free throw and scored 13, matching Nick Quigley. Austin Wright and Ryen Black each scored 12.

Northwest plays host to Carson on Jan. 8 and goes to West Rowan on Jan.10.

* Golfers in championships

Three local junior golfers participated in the Donald Ross Junior Championship on Course No. 1at Pinehurst.

Alex Nianouris 90-82 — 172; Alex Lee 94-81 — 175; and Joseph Rusher 101-100 — 201 competed in the 12-14 age group.

* Statesville tourney

Statesville won the championship of the SR&L tournament by beating Lake Norman 63-43. Forbush’s girls took third place by beating West Iredell 56-26.

* West Iredell’s Quan Rucker hit a game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds left to beat North Iredell 48-47 for the boys championship. Lake Norman topped South Iredell 59-58 for third place.