AHOSKIE – Jessica Breland turned the Hertford County High School basketball court into her own personal playground here Saturday night.

Playing in the championship game of the 14th annual Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic, Breland poured in a game-high 20 points, dragged down 14 rebounds and blocked a half-dozen shots to lead Bertie to a 58-37 win over rival Hertford County.

The win allowed the Lady Falcons to grab their fifth consecutive Classic championship.

However, the victory did not come as easy as the final score appeared.

Hertford County trailed by just seven (20-13) late in the second quarter before Bertie used a spurt to take a 24-13 halftime lead.

Just when it seemed that HCHS was poised to make another run thanks to Jamie Britt’s three-point basket, part of her team-high 13 points, early in the third quarter, Bertie left the Lady Bears in their wake.

Highlighted by a trio of Tierra Perry baskets, a deuce and a trey from Quanesha White and Breland’s trifecta, the Lady Falcons found the mark on seven of their first nine shots of the second half – an 18-7 run that gave Bertie a commanding 42-20 lead.

The Lady Bears, despite only shooting 8-of-23 from the field in the second half, tried to battle back, but could only get as close as 42-25 thanks to a Danequa Fennell basket and a combined three free throws from Shakia Forbes and RonGina Wilder. HCHS saw its effort also hampered by 31 turnovers and a dismal 8-of-26 performance from the free throw line.

Bertie never trailed as Breland scored nine of her game-high effort in the first quarter where the Lady Falcons held a 14-7 lead.

Lady Falcons (58)

Jessica Breland – 20, Ashley Berryman – 12, Tierra Perry – 10, Q. White – 7, A. Speller – 2, L. Watson – 2, C. Wilder – 2, L. Williams – 2, A. Bell – 1.

FG: 24-of-52 (3-pointers: 2-of-12). FT: 8-of-18. Rebounds: 41 (Breland – 14, Bell – 5). Turnovers: 24.

Lady Bears (37)

Jamie Britt – 13, D. Fennell – 7, R. Wilder – 7, A. Weaver – 4, S. Forbes – 3, C. Holloman – 2, S. Monger – 1.

FG: 13-of-51 (3-pointers: 3-of-7). FT: 8-of-26. Rebounds: 32 (Fennell – 7, Grant – 5). Turnovers: 31.