Lake Norman is headed to the N.C. Excessive College Athletic Affiliation 4A women basketball state championship.
The Wildcats outlasted previoulsy unbeaten and No. 1 seed McDowell 58-52 within the western regional championship recreation at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem on Wednesday night.
It was a recreation of runs. One crew would make a push, then the opposite crew would make a comeback.
Lake Norman led 5-3 early within the first quarter, however McDowell went on a 7-0 run and led 12-0 after one quarter.
Kelsey Rhyne rapidly tied the sport with a 3-pointer, for Lake Norman to begin the second quarter, and Alexis Shehan ultimately gave the Wildcats the lead once more with a breakaway lay-up making it 16-14. That began an 11-2 run for Lake Norman that ultimately noticed the Wildcats up six factors.
However McDowell got here roaring again earlier than halftime and a Kimora Stewart 3-pointer gave the Titans a 25-24 lead. McDowell led 32-28 at halftime.
The sport of runs continued within the second half. Lake Norman held McDowell to only 4 factors within the third quarter and claimed a one-point lead going into the ultimate quarter.
That one-point lead endured by means of a lot of the fourth quarter. Rayana Minard hit a pair of free throws to increase the Wildcats’ result in three factors at 49-46 with 2:18 left.
McDowell obtained again to inside one level a number of occasions, however Lake Norman answered every time. Khloe Joyner had an opportunity to tie the sport with 55 seconds left with two free throws, however the sophomore missed each makes an attempt and the ball went again to Lake Norman.
The Wildcats’ lead turned 5 factors when Minard break up a pair of free throws and Alexis Shehan collected the rebound and completed the lay-up to offer Lake Norman a 55-50 benefit. That five-point deficit was an excessive amount of for McDowell to beat as Lake Norman made simply sufficient free throws to maintain the sport at two possessions.
Lake Norman had 4 gamers in double-figures, led by Minard’s 17 factors. She had 9 factors within the fourth quarter to assist safe the win for Lake Norman.
Alexis Shehan completed with 15 factors, Rhyne posted 12 factors, and Samantha Shehan scored 10 factors. The 4 gamers mixed for 54 of the Wildcats’ 58 factors.
McDowell was led in scoring by Joyner and Kimora Stewart who each scored 14 factors. They have been the one gamers in double-figures for the Titans.
This marks the second time Lake Norman has appeared in a women basketball state championship recreation. The Wildcats misplaced to Panther Creek within the 2023 championship.
Lake Norman will face Wakefield within the state championship after the Wolverines beat Hoggard 31-23 within the jap regional championship recreation.
McDowell’s season ends with a report of 30-1, the lone loss coming the state semifinals.
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