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The Albemarle women’s basketball team opened the 2025 NCHSAA state playoffs at home Tuesday as the No. 3 seed.

Hosting No. 30 Bessemer City, Albemarle pulled out to an early lead and easily advanced to the second round with a 72-21 win.

Amari Baldwin led Albemarle (23-4) with 24 points, 12 coming in the opening quarter. She posted a quadruple double in the game with 11 assists, 10 rebounds and 10 steals.

Jasmine Brown added 15 points, 10 coming in a second quarter in which the Bulldogs outscored the Jackets 33-3 to lead at halftime 50-13.

Jordyn Crump added 11 for the Bulldogs and Bianca Robinson just missed double digits, scoring nine.

Tionna Pettus, who came into Tuesday’s game averaging 43.5 points per game this season for the Yellow Jackets (14-13), had just four points. Kionna Pettus led Bessemer City with 14.

Albemarle hosts No. 14 Hiwassee Dam (18-6) Friday night at 6. The Eagles advanced to Friday’s game with an 82-38 home win versus No. 19 Starmount.