AHOSKIE – It was a case of too much offense.

South Central High School placed six players in double figures here Wednesday night as the visiting Falcons knocked off Hertford County, 97-84, in the NCHSAA Class 3-A Sectional semifinals.

The loss ends the Bears season at 17-8 overall.

The knockout punch came late as South Central used a 12-2 run over the final 91 seconds to seal the win. Hertford County, down by three at 85-82, had the ball with a chance to tie the game with a trey, but failed to connect.

Other than a quick 5-0 spurt to start the game, HCHS led only once more (59-57) when LaMarcus Bond buried a trey in the early stages of the second half. From there, just like it was throughout the contest, it was a basketball game that resembled a track meet, both teams running full-court with their throttles stuck on high.

South Central, sparked by a trio of Johnathon Williams hoops, built as much as an eight-point spread (71-63) later in the third period, but the Bears bounced back.

A basket from LaMarcus Jenkins got that rally started. By the time Marcus Burnell buried back-to-back hoops to close the period, the Bears had fought their way back, trailing 73-69 entering the final eight minutes of racehorse action.

The Bears twice sliced their deficit to two points – once at 75-73 thanks to a Ken Lee basket with 6:25 left and again at 80-78 after Leonard Burnell connected with 4:45 remaining on the clock.

Jamal Cross led South Central in the early going as he tallied eight of his 16 points in the first quarter to help the Falcons claim a 24-22 lead.

South Central led by as many as seven (39-32) in the first half after Leland Jones buried a trey (one of nine trifectas on the night for the visitors) with 3:53 left in the second quarter.

But the Bears were able to answer as Jenkins reeled off seven points while Bond sank a basket and a pair of free throws to pull HCHS to within 50-48 at halftime.

South Central (97)

Montario Haddock – 19, Leland Jones – 18, Jamal Cross – 16, Johnathon Williams – 16, Montel Smith – 14, Jamale Burrus – 12, Lyndsay – 2.

Hertford County (84)

LaMarcus Bond – 18, LaMarcus Jenkins – 17, Ken Lee – 17, Marcus Burnell – 10, L. Burnell – 7, Gatling – 6, Pryor – 5, Futrell – 4.