The esteemed publication, The Stanly News & Press, recently reported on the compelling first round of state playoffs involving seven basketball teams from Stanly. The outcomes were marked by notable victories, propelling several teams into the next round scheduled for Friday.
In the 1A Women’s playoffs, the No. 4 seed in the Western Region, Albemarle, exhibited an impressive performance in a resounding 73-19 triumph over Mountain Island Charter. Notably, Amari Baldwin led the charge with 24 points, complemented by Jasmine Brown with 18 points, and Kai Spencer and Jordyn Crump with nine points each. Albemarle is scheduled to compete against Union Academy in the upcoming round, after the latter secured a victory over Leadership Academy.
Conversely, Gray Stone suffered a defeat at the hands of Bishop McGuinness in a 71-17 road loss.
The impending 2A Women’s Basketball fixture presents an exciting postseason clash between two Stanly teams, North Stanly and West Stanly, scheduled for Friday. North Stanly solidified their berth in the second round with a decisive 44-30 win over Mount Pleasant, while West Stanly secured a triumph over McMichael with a 57-39 victory.
In the 1A Men’s Basketball category, South Stanly emerged triumphant with a 66-50 win against East Wilkes. The team displayed a balanced effort, with nearly six players tallying 10 or more points. South Stanly is set to host Mountain Island Charter in the playoffs.
Furthermore, the 2A Men’s Basketball witnessed North Stanly suffering a narrow loss to Bandys by a mere two-point margin. The outcome of the game was determined in the final moments, with Bandys clinching the win.
Regrettably, the Colts’ season concluded with a defeat on the road to Newton-Conover, culminating in a fifth-place finish in the 2A/3A Rocky River Conference standings.
The anticipation for the next round of playoff games is palpable among sports enthusiasts, owing to the riveting results that have set the stage for an enthralling showdown in the forthcoming matches.
As the teams savor their taste of victory, they approach the next round with unwavering determination and commitment. Additionally, the teams that did not achieve their desired outcome are certain to return next season with renewed resolve and a stronger determination to succeed.
While the journey to the championship may be replete with challenges, one thing remains certain – the basketball teams from Stanly are demonstrating their utmost effort and leaving everything on the court. Let us continue to extend our support and cheer them on as they progress through the playoffs.