January 2/ Written By Christian BatemanÂ
In its first set of games right at the beginning of the season Northeastern could have looked very rusty, but the Eagles picked up exactly where they left off from last season and came home with a vengeant win for the battle for the keys to the city.Â
Flashback from football season, when the Eagles contention in mentality led to a loss to end the regular season, Northeastern played out from start to finish with multiple pieces, under Ronald Nixon, and former Northeastern standout Shawn Walker Jr. But the Northeastern squad, as tight knit as the group is defensively, created turnovers in the back court, shot the basketball well, and flew in transition, creating their own energy offensively.Â
Blood In The Water Creates PirannahasÂ
As the late season loss has been discussed, Northeastern had not played many games this season as a team due to their strong run in the football state playoffs having only played two games the Northeastern offense looks scary early; this team could make their mark on school history if they continue to gel.Â
Whidbee The Proven Scorer
Z’kobe Whidbee was the player of the game honestly in my opinion was MVP providing double figures scoring in three straight games of the tournament.Â
The 6”1 senior, could catch a lot of eyes from Coaches playing against one of the top teams in the Hoopstate in Wilson Prep Monday night.Â
Jakel Stallings was also consistent in scoring, being a duo with Z’kobbe in also providing scoring in the double figures. It was fun basketball to watch- but only the beginning.Â
Defensive Tenacity Pesky To Offenses
The Eagles not only got it done on offense, but the ferocious defense showed up for three straight days pressing after made buckets fighting for loose balls, absolutely flexing to create havoc on the defensive end. Northeastern was an absolute stopper, making it hard for their opponents to stick to their bread and butter in the second half made it almost unbearable for Pasquotank.Â
A spectacular beginning of the season, breaking Pasquotank in the win column for their first loss of the season, while Northeastern continues to be the fundamental confident athletic strong program of the 252.