PINETOWN — After picking up back-to-back wins against Columbia and Bear Grass, Northside has now lost two in a row. The Lady Panthers were steamrolled, 59-18, at home against a seemingly untouchable Pamlico County squad.

“We came out and we started off a little bit slow. We were trying to force the ball on offense a little too much,” Pamlico County coach April Rose said. “Things started clicking a little more. It was just our defense. We live and die by our defense.”

There were 53 points scored in the first half, and the Lady Canes netted 45 of them. The Lady Panthers were the first to strike in the second half. Va’Era Holloway got a quick layup to open the third. She was the only offensive presence for the outmatched hosts.

“They were pressing the ball and forcing turnovers,” Northside coach Michelle Leathers said. “They were pressing and we were getting frustrated.”

The Lady Canes improved to 8-0 in the 1-A Coastal Plains Conference with the win. Rose turned to her bench players often in the second half, and they were more than able to shoulder the load.

“They’re playing together as a whole,” Rose said. “Roeshonda Lee, she’s doing a heck of a job running the point, getting some shots up and making good decisions. Shiquies Branch is doing a good job off the bench. … I was really happy with our six guards. Then I had two freshmen post players do real well — Annie Anderson and Jania Moore gave us some minutes and they’re getting there.”

While the Lady Canes have a stranglehold on the conference title, Northside will continue its bout to climb the ranks. Southside is ahead at No. 4 after a win against Jones Senior on Wednesday. The Lady Panthers will look to get back in the win column ahead of their senior-night showdown with the Lady Seahawks.

“We’re going to keep on playing as hard as we can play and keep our heads up,” Leathers said. “One game at a time. That’s all you can do.”