#7 (15-6) Martin County vs #26 (10-15) North Lenoir: Playoff Preview

Martin County vs. North Lenoir: 2A State Playoff First-Round Preview

The 2A State Playoffs bring a first-round rematch as No. 7 seed Martin County (15-6) hosts No. 26 seed North Lenoir (10-15). Martin County won their previous meeting last season, defeating North Lenoir 78-58 in the South Central Christmas Tournament.

North Lenoir’s Road to the Playoffs

The Hawks finished third in the East Central Conference with a 7-5 record but endured a tough stretch during the season, losing 10 straight games after a 2-0 start. They rebounded down the stretch, winning eight of their last 13 games, including a 68-54 victory over East Duplin in the conference tournament before it was canceled due to an ice storm.

North Lenoir averages 51.9 points per game while allowing 60.3 and holds a 4-7 road record. Their success will depend on the play of junior AJ Black, a high-energy player who is relentless on the boards and defensively. Juniors Cris and Julian Veal are scoring threats capable of heating up quickly, while senior Malik Fuller provides a strong presence as a physical downhill guard who thrives at attacking the rim. For the Hawks to have a shot at advancing, they’ll need contributions beyond their core four players.

Martin County’s Road to the Playoffs

Martin County finished third in its 1A/2A split conference but earned the No. 1 seed from the league after finishing as the top 2A school with a 9-3 record. The Gators average 60.7 points per game while holding opponents to 50. They also have a common opponent in Ayden-Grifton, a team Martin County beat twice in three meetings, while North Lenoir lost all three of their matchups.

Martin County relies on a young but talented group, led by 6’5” sophomore Jordan Mathewson, who averages 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Junior Kamarion Larry adds 12.5 points per game, while freshmen Jy’Mir Hollis (10 ppg) and Jayden Moore (7.6 ppg) provide additional scoring depth. Martin County is primarily an inside-scoring team, making just 45 three-pointers this season at a 22 percent success rate.

Mathewson had a big game against North Lenoir last year, scoring 23 points on 10-15 shooting. His ability to dominate the paint will be a key factor once again.

Matchup Outlook

Both teams finished third in their conferences, but North Lenoir has shown improvement over the last month, making them a more competitive opponent than their record suggests. Martin County’s strength in the paint and defensive discipline will test the Hawks, while North Lenoir will need to find consistent scoring beyond their top playmakers to keep pace.

With playoff stakes on the line, this game could come down to execution in key moments as both teams look to extend their season.