Conference basketball championships have wrapped up. With swimming and wrestling already done, basketball playoffs are the last thing standing between local athletes and the end of winter sports.

Beaufort County’s teams had some elite competition to take on in their respective conference tournaments this past week. Both Washington’s boys and girls got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. The same happened with Southside’s two teams. The Seahawks had to take on Jones Senior in the first round. The Trojans went on to beat East Carteret in overtime on Friday to win the league title.

The tournaments gave local basketball fans a third and final matchup between rival Lady Panthers and Lady Seahawks. After falling to Southside twice in the regular season, Northside was able to upset its hosts, but couldn’t overcome East Carteret in the second round.

Here are the area athletes that finished the winter strong.

 

TYLER HENDRIX, TERRA CEIA

Tyler Hendrix’s first-ever game on Terra Ceia’s varsity basketball team was a loss to Wayne Christian. He was in eighth grade at the time, and his career came full circle when he notched a double-double (22 points, 12 rebounds) to help propel Terra Ceia to a 1-point win over the same Wayne Christian team.

Despite getting in a bit of foul trouble in Thursday’s game at Wayne Country Day, Hendrix poured in 13 points for the Knights in their second-round elimination.

 

MESSIAH BARNES, TERRA CEIA

Messiah Barnes had 21 points in the loss at Wayne Country Day, but many of his shots felt so much bigger than just two or three points. He nailed back-to-back treys to tie the game at 69 apiece with 2:05 left. He also snapped the Knights out of their long-range slump by knocking down 3-pointers to start the second half.

Although Terra Ceia couldn’t quite get over the hump against the Chargers, Barnes put them in position to do so throughout.

 

RACHEL LANG, NORTHSIDE

Northside came out slow in last Monday’s first-round meeting with rival Southside. Rachel Lang’s post presence, coupled with some key shots from the likes of Brooklyn Hudnell and Abby Mooring, helped the Lady Panthers rally.

Lang, who finished with a game-high 16 points, was a driving force in the comeback. After scoring just three points in the first quarter, she got three quick baskets early in the second to whittle away at a then 14-3 deficit.

 

SYMONE RUFFIN, SOUTHSIDE

Southside couldn’t quite hang on in that 46-43 loss to Northside on Monday, but Symone Ruffin certainly carried her weight. Her 14 points were second only to Danielle Ruffin (15), and she hauled in 10 rebounds for yet another double-double.

Symone Ruffin will be a key component moving forward. Southside sits at an even 8-8 as the playoffs approach. The Lady Seahawks have shown moments of brilliance, and will hope to make some noise.