In the opening round of the 2020 Yadkin Valley Conference basketball tournament, higher seeds hosted first round games on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Women’s Basketball

The top-seeded Gray Stone Knights opened the tournament Monday with a 65-23 win over No. 8-seed South Davidson.

Olivia Payne led Gray Stone (21-1) with 15 points while Jolee King reached double figures with 10 points. The front-court combination of Danika Ray and Seccora Medley added eight points each for the Knights.

Hannah Harrison led the Wildcats (4-20) with 11.

Gray Stone will face Uwharrie Charter tonight at 7 in the YVC semifinals, hosted by South Davidson.

The Eagles, the No. 4-seed, advanced with a 46-34 win over No. 5 North Stanly (8-13).

On the bottom half of the bracket, second-seed North Rowan advanced with a 57-48 win Monday versus No. 7 South Stanly.

The Cavaliers play today at 4 p.m. versus No. 3 Chatham Central, who earned a 48-44 win over No. 6 Albemarle.

Men’s Basketball

The 2020 YVC men’s basketball tournament has added meaning this season with three teams having finished tied for first place in the regular-season title race.

South Stanly, Chatham Central and North Rowan entered the week vying for the No. 1-seed from the conference into the state playoffs.

The Rebel Bulls, playing as the No. 3-seed Tuesday night, fell out of the race for the top seed falling to No. 6 Uwharrie Charter, 54-52, ending an 11-game win streak for South Stanly.

Jaquez Cooke led the Bulls (19-6) with 22 points while Jadius Jones added 11 and Justin Gaddy scored 10.

Jordan Harrison led three in double figures for the Eagles (10-12) with 22.

Uwharrie Charter will take on No. 2-seeded North Rowan (18-7) who topped No. 7 North Moore Tuesday, 67-27, tonight at 5:30.

On the top of the bracket, Albemarle and North Stanly met for the third time this season but on the Comets’ home floor after two neutral-site games at Pfeiffer.

The Comets (14-10), seeded fourth in the bracket, came away with a 76-56 win Tuesday night over Albemarle.

Sophomore Koby Poole led North with 29 points, including 21 in the first half, while Dyson Bell added 19. Cooper Hogan added nine points, including 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

M.J Raye led the Bulldogs (9-15) with 16 points, while Camarie McNeill added 10. Ali Currie just missed double figures, finishing with nine points.

North will take on No. 1-seed Chatham Central tonight at 8:30. The Bears advanced with a win over South Davidson Tuesday, 82-41.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio was the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press from 1999-2001 and has currently served in the same capacity since 2008. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also been honored twice by the North Carolina Press Association.

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