Hertford County advances
Published 6:09 pm Friday, February 25, 2022
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
AHOSKIE – Hertford County High School is moving forward in the 2022 NC High School Athletic Association’s state basketball play-offs.
Hertford County’s Jeremiah Benthall (#12) drives past a Northeastern defender during Thursday night’s 60-35 win over the Eagles in the second round of the Class 2A state play-offs. Photo by William Anthony
Both HCHS varsity teams advanced to Saturday’s third round thanks to wins here Thursday night.
The Lady Bears (23-3 overall and the #2 seed in the Eastern Class 2A bracket) defeated #15 Fairmont High School, 54-44. HCHS led 32-27 at halftime.
Desiree Askew scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Bears. Askew also added 16 rebounds, four assists, and six steals.
Tamia Britt aided in the win by scoring 12 points. Brooklyn White (8), Ashley Jenkins (6), and Jaliyah Mitchell (5) rounded out the HCHS scoring.
Fairmont was led by Lakayla Chavis (12 points).
The Lady Bears will host seventh-seeded Roanoke Rapids (16-2 overall) in Saturday’s third-round action. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
In Thursday’s varsity boys game, HCHS (seeded fifth) turned up the defensive pressure and routed conference nemesis Northeastern High School, 60-35. That win avenged a 73-68 loss by the Bears on their home court against the Eagles in last week’s conference tournament semifinals.
“We changed things up a bit since we last played them and really got after their guards on defense,” said veteran HCHS coach Charles Simmons.
After a slow start, HCHS led 20-11 at halftime and then built a big lead in the third quarter where the Bears outscored Northeastern, 26-11.
Freshman Rimiez Williams led HCHS, scoring a game-high 25 points on an 11-of-17 effort from the floor. Keveon Rodgers (12) and William Valentine (11) also scored in double figures. Rodgers added 14 rebounds as HCHS held a dominating edge on the boards (29-13).
Tamia Britt (#22) is fouled by a Fairmont High School player as she launches a shot in Thursday night’s game. Britt and the Lady Bears advanced to the third round of the state playoffs with a 54-44 victory. Photo by William Anthony
HCHS (20-6 overall) will travel to fourth-seeded St. Pauls (21-5) for a third-round match-up on Saturday. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.
Both Hertford County teams posted lopsided wins in their state tournament openers on Tuesday night at home.
The Lady Bears routed #31 North Johnston, 72-33. Askew scored a game-high 31 points. Britt (15), Jenkins (12), and White (10) also scored in double figures for HCHS.
In the boys game, HCHS knocked off #28 James Kenan, 79-44, led by 25 points from Israel Powell and 10 points each by Jeremiah Benthall and Valentine.
About Cal Bryant
Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.
More by Cal