Staff report

ROCK HILL, S.C, — The North Hills boys basketball team posted an exciting overtime win and two losses in the Lindberg Moody Classic, a major post-Christmas tournament in Rock Hill.

The victory was hard earned on Thursday, an 81-78 win against Elevation Prep Academy of Charlotte (5-8).

North Hills had to rally in the fourth quarter to get to overtime.

North Hills (9-7)  did a great job of getting to the foul line in that game and made 32 of 47 free throws.

Champ Hayden shot 18-for-24 from the foul line and scored 31 points. He also had 18 rebounds.

Jerrod Drye was 12-for-15 on free throws and scored 22 points. He had six assists.

Zachary Strickland helped out with 13 points.

North Hills      15     21     16    24     5    — 81

Elevation        21     23      13   19       2   — 78

NORTH HILLS — Hayden 31, Drye 22, Strickland 13, Strong 8, McLaughlin 7.

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On Friday, North Hills lost to Charlotte Elite Academy 66-49.

Charlotte Elite Academy (7-4) jumped out to a 20-7 lead and led 57-27 after three quarters.

North Hills had a big fourth quarter to cut into the final margin.

Hayden had 27 points and 10 rebounds. Drye scored 13.

North Hills       7       10      10     22    — 49

Elite                 20      14      23        9    — 66

NORTH HILLS — Hayden 27, Drye 13, Lawson 3, Strong 3, McLaughlin 2, Rodgers 1.

•••

Lincoln Charter, a school that competes in 2A in NCHSAA blew out North Hills on Saturday.

The Denver-based school came into the tournament ranked 13th in 2A West by MaxPreps.

Lincoln Charter (8-6) built a 47-16 cushion at halftime and cruised 91-44.

Drye led North Hills with 19 points.

Lincoln Charter was able to slow down the high-scoring Hayden. He was held to 10 points on 3-for-16 shooting.

Hayden had eight rebounds.

North Hills               11     5     20     8   — 44

Lincoln Charter      23    24   27     17   — 91

NORTH HILLS — Drye 19, Hayden 10, Lawson 8, Strong 5, McLaughlin 2.

•••

North Hills will return to action Tuesday and will look to get back in the win column at Forsyth Home Educators.

North Hills plays at Lee Christian on Thursday and hosts Lake Norman Christian on Friday to close a busy week.

Hayden and Drye are uncommitted seniors. Hayden averages 31,1 points and 10,7 rebounds. Drye averages 17 points and 5 assists.