By Staff
Staff Reports
After pulling away with a 74-60 victory over Southwest Onlsow Friday night to capture the sectional championship, the Tigers’ girls basketball team will resume its pursuit of an NCHSAA 1-A state championship on Friday when it battles Cape Hatteras at J.H. Rose High School at 7 p.m.
Williamston, the No. 1 seed from the Four Rivers Conference, has had a tough path to the regional contest as it has topped Gates County (17-7), the No. 3 seed from the Tar Roanoke Conference, then moved on to beat dynamic center Quinyotta Pettaway and her Perquimans team in the second round. After the Tigers slid past the Pirates (17-10, Four Rivers Conference) for the fourth time this season, they took on a balanced and athletic Southwest Onslow (17-5) squad that came into Williamston as the No. 1 seed from the Coastal Plains Conference.
A career night from star guard Katie Paschal, who scored 44 points while swiping 11 steals, dishing out six assists and pulling down six rebounds, allowed Williamston to extend its record to a perfect 27-0. The victory also helped the school go out as winners in its final home game before it merges with Bear Grass next season to become the Riverside Knights.
When the Tigers resume their run at a state title on Friday, they will take on a feisty Cape Hatteras team that has caught some bigger name schools by surprise this postseason.
Led by star Paxton Gwinn, the Hurricanes (18-5), the No. 1 seed from the Tideland Conference, have won some thrillers to get to J.H. Rose High School.
In the first round, Cape Hatteras rolled past No. 4 seed Northampton West (7-15, Tar Roanoke Conference) 53-40, before holding on to upset a good Manteo (22-6) team that was the No. 2 seed from the Four Rivers Conference with an exciting 56-50 win.
The Hurricanes captured their sectional title squeezing past Jones (15-7), the No. 2 seed from the Coastal Plains Conference with a 50-46 victory.