WELDON — The Weldon Chargers are back on top of the Tar Roanoke Conference. One week ago the boys team captured the regular season crown, and Friday night they were able to hold up the TRC tournament trophy with a 64-56 victory over Louisburg. The Warriors had been the Chargers toughest opponent this season and going into the contest, Weldon Head coach Donnell Handsome knew this third meeting would be a dog fight, but the Chargers, like they’ve done all season found a way to get it done.

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“This game was tough,” Handsome said. “Louisburg is a tough team.”

The Warriors came out and did not back down against Weldon, going basket for basket with the home team and taking a two-point, 27-25, lead over Weldon late in the first half after an old-fashion three point play from Jeffrey Perry. After Chargers center Eric Jones tied the game at 27, Desmond Faulcon stepped up right before half-time and single handily went on a run.

First, Faulcon threw one down on a fast break to put Weldon up two, 29-27. He then scored on a put back, knocked down a three and scored a lay-up after a Louisburg free throw to make it 36-30. His brother, Demond, put the icing on the cake with a put back right before half-time to make it 38-30 at the break.

“I realized this could be one of my last games playing with (my teammates),” Desmond Faulcon said about the second quarter run. “So I had to make sure it wasn’t.”

What Desmond did for the Chargers in the first half, Cameron Staten did early in the second. With Weldon up eight, 42-33, Staten scored six straight to push the Chargers’ lead to 13.

“I brought Cameron in and he did a terrific job for us shooting the ball on the outside,” Handsome said.

After a three-point play by Nehemiah Pulley gave Weldon a double digit lead, 54-40, in the fourth quarter, all the Warriors could do was try to pull within single digits, which is easier said than done when playing against the Chargers full-court press.

Tournament MVP Desmond Faulcon led Weldon with 17 points. Jones added 14 and Staten finished with 11. Dante Walker led Louisburg with 19.

Weldon accomplished an amazing task in going undefeated in league regular season and tournament play. It’s tough to have the target on your back every night and still come away perfect.

“It was difficult,” Faulcon said. “But like coach always says, when you come out and play you come out on top, and that’s what we did.”

Now the Chargers turn to the post season where they will begin their quest for a state title Monday night at home. Handsome knows it doesn’t get any easier from here.

“We are going to have to step it up big time,” Handsome said. “Ain’t no doubt about it. It’s win or lose there. I told them Monday we have to be ready to play and can’t take any game lightly.”

Notes: Faulcon, Jones and Pulley were selected to the All-Tournament team along with Ramel Belfield (NCHS-West) and Deandre Blacknall (Louisburg). Handsome was named the Tar Roanoke Conference Coach of the Year.