A pesky Randleman squad hung around for three quarters, but the East Burke girls basketball team pulled away late to win 64-43 in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs on Friday evening.
The host and No. 2 West seed Lady Cavaliers (28-1) used a 23-10 fourth quarter to pull away from the No. 15 West seed Lady Tigers (16-11), setting up a third-round home game on Tuesday versus No. 7 West seed Lexington (22-4).
Senior point guard Braelyn Stilwell led the way for East Burke with 22 points and was joined in double figures by Anna Coble (15 points) and Kara Brinkley (10). The rest of the team’s scoring came from Journi McDowell (5 points), Maci McNeil (5), Addison Sisk (4) and Addi Brittain (3).
The winner of Tuesday’s contest between the Lady Cavaliers and Lady Yellow Jackets will advance to the NCHSAA 2A West Regional semifinals on March 7 to play either No. 6 West seed Forest Hills (25-3) or No. 19 West seed Bandys (18-8).
The No. 8 West seed Lady Patriots (15-12) were upset by the No. 24 West seed and visiting Lady Panthers (16-9) in the second round of the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs on Friday evening in ¶®É«µÛ.
The game was tied at 40 after three quarters of play, but Dudley’s five-point edge across the final eight minutes was the difference. Freedom led 10-9 after the first period, but trailed 20-18 at halftime. A 22-20 third-frame edge for the hosts set up the late tie.
The Lady Patriots were led by a game-high 31 points from Peyton Caldwell. Also scoring for Freedom were Cynica Caldwell (5 points), Haven Gladden (5), Jenaya Johnson (5) and Alayhia Bates (4).
The Lady Panthers had a trio of double-digit scorers in Janiah Terry (20 points), Jalyn Taylor (14) and Kimora Haith (11).
