CARY — Senior Connor Wilkins, Washington’s No. 1, picked up a first round victory in the NCHSAA 2-A state championships on Friday, but fell to an old nemesis in Round 2, while the doubles pair of Holt and Ben McKeithan fell in Round 1.

Wilkins defeated St. Pauls’ James Hendrix, 6-0, 6-0, in Round 1, aligning a rematch with Hendersonville’s Jacob Fuqua in Round 2. Fuqua, the defending state runner-up and a former 1-A state champion, knocked off Wilkins in the championships last season. This time, in a quarterfinal match that last over two hours, Wilkins battled and picked up a win in the first set, 7-6, in a tiebreaker. Fuqua powered back in the second set with a 6-0 win and closed the match out with a 6-3 third set.

Holt and Ben McKeithan fell to the Durham School of Science and Math’s Daniel Lee and Guy Blanc, 6-3, 6-1.

Coverage of Washington’s matchup with the North Carolina School of Science and Math in the third round of the dual team playoffs will be available in Wednesday’s edition.

TERRA CEIA SOFTBALL EARNS FAVORABLE FIRST ROUND MATCHUP

ROANOKE RAPIDS — The Terra Ceia softball team will face Halifax Academy in the first round of the NCISAA 1-A state playoffs today.

The Knights, finishing the season with a 9-5 record, earned the No. 5 overall seed, while Halifax Academy (3-10) picked up the No. 4 overall seed.

With a win, Terra Ceia will advance to the second round and will face the winner of top-seeded Cape Fear and rival Pungo. The second round through the championship game will be played at Campbell University.

 

PUNGO SOFTBALL TO FACE NO. 1 SEED IN FIRST ROUND

ERWIN — The Pungo softball team will square off with top-seeded Cape Fear in the first round of the NCISAA 1-A state playoffs today.

The Eagles enter with an overall record of 18-2, while Pungo received the final at-large playoff bid from the NCISAA committee, sporting a 7-7 record and No. 8 seed.

With a win, Pungo advances to the second round and will face the winner of rival Terra Ceia and Halifax County. The second round through the championship game will be played at Campbell University.

 

7TH ANNUAL BEAUFORT COUNTY BRAWL SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

PINETOWN — The seventh annual Beaufort County Brawl Softball and Baseball Tournament kicks off on Wednesday and Thursday (days changed due to weather) at Northeast Elementary. Booster passes will not be accepted and admission is $4 a person. Each player and coach will receive a complimentary Brawl T-shirt, while fans can purchase a shirt for $8.

On Tuesday, Chocowinity will take on Bath at 4 p.m., followed by Northeast versus Bear Grass at 6 p.m. Wednesday’s games will feature the championship game at 6 p.m. and the third place game at 4 p.m.