Tuesday, February 26, 2013 —
Four Stanly County basketball squads took to the court on Monday night in the opening round of their respective state playoff brackets.
The Albemarle boys were the lone team at home Monday, hosting Mount Airy while South Stanly traveled to North Rowan.
On the girls’ side, North Stanly opened their 2A first-round playoffs at Wilkes Central, while Albemarle traveled to Monroe to face the Redhawks in the 1A playoffs.
Boys
Albemarle 60
Mount Airy 46
The Albemarle Bulldogs faced a tall task on Monday night in the opening round of the state 1A playoffs against a Mount Airy team that featured two players with heights of 6’7” and 6’8”.
Using their trapping half-court defense, the speed of the Bulldogs gave the home team an early advantage and held off a second-half rally by the Bears for a 60-46 win.
Albemarle travels to 22-4 Lake Norman Charter Knights on Wednesday. The Knights won over West Montgomery 87-44.
MA 7 11 18 10 46
A 18 11 14 17 60
MA – Austin Taylor 14, Carson Mounce 11, Gwyn 9, Daily 8, Hicks 2, Best 2.
A – Terrace Ellis 18, Williams 8, Nivens 8, Christian 7, Blanton 7, Ridenhour 6, Autry 4, R. Baldwin 2.
North Rowan 99
South Stanly 34
The South Stanly Rebel Bulls made their first playoff appearance in four seasons on Monday night in the opening round of the state 1A playoffs.
With a No. 15 seed in the bracket, the Bulls found a familiar opponent in the first round in the No. 2 seeded Yadkin Valley Conference champion North Rowan Cavaliers.
The host Cavs advanced to the second round with a 99-34 win over the Rebel Bulls.
SS 8 11 3 12 34
NR 27 26 38 16 99
SS – Machard Richardson 12, Johnson 8, W. Smith 8, Burris 2, Granados 2, T. Smith 2.
NR – Malik Ford 18, Jalen Sanders 15, Oshon West 10, Dalton Nelson 10, B. Nelson 7, Connor 6, Bowman 6, Archie 5, Tate 4, Ellis 4, Billingsley 4, Walker 4, Bates 3, Handy 3.
Girls
Wilkes Central 67
North Stanly 48
In the opening round of the state 2A playoffs, North Stanly lost on the road 67-48 at Wilkes Central.
Gentry Grubb led the Comets (14-12) with 18 points and Jenni Speight added 11.
North graduates four seniors this season: Speight, Jenna Huff and Alexis and Jackie Poolos.
“We just played a team that was better than we were. That happens often in the playoffs,” North head coach Greg Speight said.
“We played hard and had a good season. This was an enjoyable team to coach. We are losing four quality seniors that will be missed but I am looking forward to next season.”
NS 8 11 15 14 48
WC 22 13 14 18 67
NS – Gentry Grubb 18, Jenni Speight 11, Huff 8, Beadle 4, A. Poolos 3.
WC – Martha Mastin 20, Laken Blackburn 18, Brooke Bentley 10, McUmber 6, Cowles 4, Graham 3, Williams 3, Kilby 3.
Editor's Note: Thanks to the Wilkes Journal-Patriot for their contribution to this story.
Other Scores
Girls
Monroe 75
Albemarle 36
The Bulldogs (7-18) girls' basketball team wrapped up their season with a 75-36 loss at Monroe in the opening round of the state 1A playoffs.
