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AHOSKIE – Hertford County scored 26 points over a six and one-half minute stretch of the second quarter, turning a 20-10 lead into a 46-16 advantage en route to a 77-42 rout of Midway High School here Tuesday night in the first round of the NCHSAA Class 2A varsity boys state tournament.

The Bears, who improved to 22-4 overall, advance to the second round where they will meet conference rival Elizabeth City Northeastern at 6 pm on Thursday at home in second round action. The Eagles (16-9 overall) advanced by slipping past Red Springs High School, 56-53, on Tuesday.

Leading 20-10 at the end of the opening quarter, the Bears kicked their offense in high gear in the second period. An 11-0 run to open the quarter was highlighted by two baskets from Keveon Rodgers, both off offensive rebounds. Shimere Garris and Jayden Robinson each added a basket while Israel Powell buried a three-pointer, part of his game-high 28 points.

After Midway’s Mbagnick Dione finally broke the ice for the Raiders, Hertford County scored 11 of the game’s next 13 points to build a 42-14 lead. A deuce and a trey from Powell plus a pair of Garris baskets highlighted that surge.

The Bears led 48-19 at halftime.

Fueled by a Robinson’s stickback of an offensive rebound and his two free throws, plus a trey and a deuce from Garris, HCHS opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to build a 59-21 lead.

The advantage eclipsed the 40-point mark (74-33) when reserve Tyrone Ruffin Jr. connected on a three-pointer at the 5:01 mark of the fourth quarter. By that time, HCHS coach Charles Simmons had already began pulling his starters.

Hertford County (77)

Israel Powell – 28, Shimere Garris – 16, Keveon Rodgers – 11, Jayden Robinson – 8, William Valentine – 6, Amhmad Rodgers – 3, Tyrone Ruffin Jr. – 3, Justin Holloman – 2, Cameron Jenkins – 2

Midway (42)

Jamir McCrae – 12, Israel Cook – 7, Trey Gregory – 7, Davis Williams – 6, Mbagnick Dione – 4, Jack Hazelback – 3, Tripp Westbtook – 3