ROCKY MOUNT – They say if you live by the three-point shot, you can also die by the three-point shot.

Hertford County may have solved the secret of longevity.

One night after knocking off the number-one 2A team in the state (according to a MaxPreps poll) in Northeastern at Elizabeth City on a late triple, history repeated itself 110 miles west of there when another trey toppled one of the state’s top 3A teams.

Wednesday night the Bears traveled to Rocky Mount and knocked off the Gryphons 64-63 on another near buzzer-beater.

Delmonta Cherry stroked a three-point shot with nine seconds left to help Hertford County escape with the win.

“My team played hard and well, considering they were coming off a big win at Northeastern (also on the road) just one night earlier,” said Bears coach Charles Simmons. “I was pleased we hung in there and played all the way through.”

Tied 14-14 after the first quarter Hertford County outscored Rocky Mount by four in the second quarter to take a 28-24 lead at halftime.  They maintained that same four-point margin (45-41) at the end of three quarters, and held off a late Rocky Mount rally for the one-point victory.

Talik Totten led the Bears with 31 points while Zion Riddick had twelve.  Cherry scored nine points, six for Dana Goodman, four for Rayshawn Beamon, and just two points for Tuesday night’s hero, Jaquarii Roberson.

The win moved the Bears above the .500 mark for the first time since mid-December with a 5-4 record.  Hertford County moved back in to Northeastern Coastal Conference action hosting Edenton J.A. Holmes last night (Friday) in a game not completed by press-time.  Next week the Bears are back on the road with games at Pasquotank on Tuesday and a non-conference match-up in Winterville against South Central on Wednesday.