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PLYMOUTH – Sparked by a big second half, Bertie’s varsity boys have claimed a spot in the NCHSAA Final Four thanks to their 61-43 win at Washington County here Friday night in the fourth round of the state playoffs.

The Falcons led 27-22 at halftime before outscoring their hosts, 34-21, in the second half.

Zymiere Dempsey led the Falcons with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Tequan Holley added 14 points and five rebounds.

The win advances Bertie (26-4 overall) to the Final Four, which will be held this week at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem. There, the Falcons will meet Wilson Prep (25-5) in a rematch of last year’s regional finals. Wilson Prep won that game, 63-57.

This marks the first time that the NCHSAA is conducting the regional finals and state championship games at one neutral site.

The Bertie vs. Wilson Prep game is set for a 4 p.m. tip-off on Monday (March 11). The winner will advance to meet the winner of the West Regional (Corvian Community vs. South Stokes; 8 p.m. tip-off on Monday).

The Regional winners advance to the state championship game on Friday (March 15), also at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.