editor's blog
Blogging live from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Fleming Gym for the 2A Western Region girls basketball semifinals.
FINAL: Bandys 60, North Surry 49
The Lady Trojans were guided by 33 points from sophomore guard and reigning CVAC player of the year Madi Story. Senior post player Taylor Sigmon added 10 points in the victory.
The Trojans (25-2) led 32-28 in the first half behind 19 points from Madi Story.
The sophomore guard was 9-for-13 from the field in the first half, grabbed six rebounds and recorded two steals.
Newton-Conover enters Friday's contest with a record of 23-3. Bandys enters Friday's game with a record of 24-1 with their lone loss being the Lady Red Devils.
Each squad won on its own home court in the season series.
No. 1 Newton-Conover (23-3) vs. No. 2 Bandys (24-1)
Bandys takes early early 5-4 lead, but Lady Trojans go on 10-0 run to take 14-5 lead and force a Trojan timeout.
Trojans score to end quarter, but Newton-Conover carries 16-10 lead after first quarter.
FINAL: NO. 2 EAST BURKE 75, NO. 3 NEWTON-CONOVER 65
East Burke enters Thursday's contest with a 18-7 record, while Newton-Conover enters with a 16-9 record.
The Cavaliers start out on a 8-0 run early in Thursday's nightcap. The Red Devils committ six early fouls, including four offensive.
East Burke led 15-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Newton-Conover powered its way to a 32-28 halftime lead behind 10 points from Shuford, six points from Shane Laws and five points from Kevin Cline.
HALFTIME: NO. 3 NEWTON-CONOVER 32, NO. 2 EAST BURKE 28
Leaders
FINAL: NO. 2 BANDYS 78, NO. 3 EAST BURKE 50
Bandys enters tonight's contest with a record of 23-1, while East Burke enters with a record of 17-8. The Trojans swept the season series between the two schools.
Lady Trojans start out on a 12-4 run, forcing an East Burke timeout. Chelsey Queen has two early three-pointers for Bandys.
Bandys leads 20-9 after the first quarter. Chelsey Queen with eight points, three assists and three steals. Taylor Sigmon with four points and three rebounds.
BOYS ACTION:
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
HICKORY 67, ALEXANDER CENTRAL 64
Hickory's Raheim Connelly hits his 10th three-point shot with 3 seconds left to lift the Tornadoes to the Catawba Valley Championship over Alexander Central.
The game featured 20 made three-point baskets, including Connelly's 10 and four from Catawba Valley Classic Tournament MVP Jalen Byrd.
An all-tournament team selection, Connelly led all scorers with 30 points and Byrd added 27.
Alex Ayer scored 17 to lead Alexander Central and Jonas Watts scored 15.
Game blog follows:
BOYS ACTION:
Newton-Conover 51, Bunker Hill 36
Fred T. Foard 38, Maiden 37
Hickory 83, St. Stephens 47
Alexander Central 70, South Caldwell 35
GIRLS ACTION:
NEWTON-CONOVER 44, ALEXANDER CENTRAL 33
Newton-Conover advances to the championship game of the Catawba Valley Classic with a 44-33 victory over Alexander Central. The Lady Red Devils will face Hickory for the tournament championship.
Lanecia Williams led Newton-Conover with 22 points, and Taylor Petty added nine. Dasia Tipps score six, Kadeshia Gibbs scored three and Shynese Whitener and Cayla Miller each scored two.
BOYS ACTION:
In the opening game of the boys Catawba Valley Classic tournament at Hickory High School, No. 3 Alexander Central defeats No. 6 Maiden, 58-44.
No. 1 Hickory defeated No. 8 Bunker Hill, 63-39.
In other boys action from C-V Classic, No. 7 South Caldwell upsets No. 2 Fred T. Foard, 51-46.
GIRLS ACTION:
Alexander Central advanced in the girls bracket of the 25th annual Catawba Valley Classic, 50-32.
The Lady Cougars were led by Madi Suddreth who scored 15 and Kelsie Rhyne scored 10. Brooke Sharpe scored eight, and Marah Cockrell scored six.
Newton-Conover 25, Northeastern 14
The Red Devils impressively went up one-set-to-none behind a six kill performance in game one by Isabella Zilagiris. Corbin Evans added four points scored, including three kills and an ace.
Newton-Conover went up 7-1 early in the set and never looked back.
Prior to the set won, Northeastern had only dropped two sets all season, which came in their second round playoff victory against Cedar Ridge, 3-2.
Newton-Conover 25, Northeastern 21
Updated 4:16 p.m.
Last heave by Cam Newton is incomplete. Saints come back to win on the road. Drew Brees finished 32-45 for 359 yards and two touchdown passes. He finished the game-winning drive completing 6-of-7 passes for 65 yards and a 6-yard pass to Pierre Thomas, sealing the victory.
The Panthers have scored more than 20 points in 4-of-5 games this season, but have lost everyone one of those games. The only game they did not score more than 20, they won 16-10 against Jacksonville.
Updated 4:08 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium is sparsely filled with fans on a partly cloudy day in Charlotte as the Carolina Panthers prepare to battle the New Orleans Saints in the first divisional game for both teams.
The Saints come in at 3-1, while the Panthers are 1-3.
This marks former kicker and original Panther John Kasay's first return to play in Bank of America Stadium since leaving the team after the 2010 season.
Check back for updates throughout the afternoon.
