Boys Basketball

No. 23 Swansboro caps off historic regular season with big win over Croatan

The Pirates claimed their first conference title since 1978 with a 23-1 regular season

Posted 2024-02-16T14:01:06+00:00 - Updated 2024-02-16T14:01:06+00:00

Evan Moesta

, Sr. Creative Specialist

When the clock flipped to the final quarter of Swansboro's regular season, the capacity crowd was once again reminded why the year 2024 will proudly be emblazoned next to the 1978 conference championship banner that sits just to the left of the scoreboard.

Their Pirates battled through three quarters of a late-season conference showdown with Croatan before unleashing a 35-point fourth quarter to bury the Cougars 86-66, and walk into postseason play with a 23-1 record.

Jacob Nagler scored three times in the opening period to spark a 14-5 run Swansboro run. It would be the start of a senior night performance that the guard won't soon forget.

Seven different Pirates found the score sheet in the opening 16 minutes, and coach Brett McFarland's group needed every one of them to hold off a Croatan rally.

Jaden Hilliard dumped in 6 of his team-high 19 in the second quarter to help the Cougars stay within two possessions at the break, 27-22.

Tayvion Tangiora and Jermaine Cunningham owned the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Swansboro duo got whatever it wanted around the rim to the tune of 17 combined points in the period.

Cunningham and Jaden Holt answered a pair of Seth Boyette three's to send the Pirates into the fourth with its largest lead of the night, 51-44.

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Over the next four minutes, the game would be flipped on its head. Nagler continued to tantalize the Cougar defense by getting to the rim for two. Elijah McCallister got in on the fun with a steal and score, Tangiora rocked the rim for a slam, and Nagler stole away the ensuing inbound and scored it for two more.

After Tangiora drop-stepped his way to a three-point play in the post, Swansboro found itself in the midst of a 23-7 run that inflated the lead to 20 at 71-51.

Nagler saved his best for last as 14 of his 26 points came in the fourth. That included a deep three as time expired to put the bow on the Pirates' 22nd straight win.