By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
When the Mattamuskeet Lakers realized they would be hosting a first-round state playoff basketball game today, they were excited. And a little confused.
Mattamuskeet head coach Adam Dougherty said some of his players weren’t even sure what the playoffs were all about, so he had a little chat with them.
The team, which had an 11-game winning streak snapped in conference tournament action, has been led by a balanced scoring attack. Edward Burrus is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 11.0 points per game. Lacy Howard is also a threat, as he averages 9.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Nick Barnard (7.9 ppg), Durrell Campbell (7.2 ppg) and Jamil Gibbs (6.9 ppg) can all shoot.
James Burrus, Justin Grays, Quentin Cunningham and Hakeem Clayton also play strong roles for the Lakers.
Mattamuskeet would love to get to the regional tournament, something they haven’t accomplished since the 1993 campaign. Dougherty credits his 10 seniors for leading his Lakers, which won the Tideland Conference regular-season championship, into the playoffs and a first-round home game.
The seniors are Howard, Edward Burrus, James Burrus, Campbell, Barnard, Grays, Clayton, Marshall Gill, Mike Harris and Khiry Berry.
The Lakers (14-8) will host the Northampton-West Hurricanes (12-11), the fourth seed from the Tar Roanoke Conference, in today’s NCHSAA Class 1-A first-round game. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
Dougherty is hoping his team will be at full strength for the game. Mattamuskeet High School was one of three Hyde County schools that shut down Wednesday through Friday because of illness. The schools will re-open today.
The winner of the Mattamuskeet and Northampton-West game will face the survivor between Manteo and Jamesville.
In today’s other games involving area teams, the Roanoke Redskins (24-2), the top seed from the Atlantic Conference, will play host to the Perquimans Pirates (10-15), the third seed from the Albemarle Conference. The winner will play the survivor between Plymouth and Southeast Halifax.
The Williamston Tigers (13-11), the third seed from the Atlantic Conference, will play at the Jamesville Bullets (13-9), the second seed from the Tideland Conference. The winner will play the survivor between North Edgecombe and Creswell.
The Plymouth Vikings (12-7), the second seed from the Atlantic Conference, will visit the Southeast Halifax Trojans (19-4), the second seed from the Tar Roanoke Conference. The winner play the survivor between Roanoke and Perquimans.
The Columbia Wildcats (12-11), the third seed from the Tideland Conference, will visit the Manteo Redskins (14-11), the second seed from the Albemarle Conference. The winner will play the survivor between Mattamuskeet and Northampton-East.
The Creswell Tigers (10-10), the fourth seed from the Tideland Conference, will play at the North Edgecombe Warriors (17-6), the top seed from the Tar Roanoke Conference. The winner will play the survivor between Columbia and Williamston.
The Bear Grass Bears (8-14), a wild-card entry out of the Tideland Conference, will play at the Topsail Pirates (15-9), the top seed from the Coastal Plains Conference. The winner will play the survivor between East Bladen and Union.
All first-round games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Second round games will be played Wednesday.
Sectional final games will be held Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Northside High School.
CLASS 1-A EAST BOYS
Monday’s Games
All at 7 p.m.
Sectional 1
Creswell (10-10) at North Edgecombe (17-6)
Williamston (13-11) at Jamesville (13-9)
Northampton-West (12-11) at Mattamuskeet (14-8)
Columbia (12-11) at Manteo (14-11)
Semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.
Finals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Northside High School.
Seeding priority: Tar Roanoke, Albemarle, Atlantic, Costal Plains, Tideland.
Sectional 2
Weldon (12-9) at Camden (20-6)
Northampton-East (8-10) at Jones (11-7)
Perquimans (10-15) at Roanoke (24-2)
Plymouth (12-7) at Southeast Halifax (19-4)
Semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.
Finals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Northside High School.
Seeding priority: Tar Roanoke, Albemarle, Atlantic, Costal Plains, Tideland.
Sectional 3
Lejeune (8-13) at West Columbus (21-3)
Princeton (16-10) at Wallace-Rose Hill (16-5)
Bear Grass (8-14) at Hampstead Topsail (15-9)
Union (16-7) at East Bladen (12-11)
Semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.
Finals on Friday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.
Sectional 4
Hobbton (9-11) at Ayden-Grifton (18-6)
Pender (12-12) at Lakewood (18-5)
North Duplin (3-14) at East Columbus (21-5)
Pamlico (11-6) at Seven Springs Spring Creek (10-13)
Semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.
Finals on Friday at 7 p.m. at higher seed.