2A State Championship Recap

Women's 2-A State Championship

T.W. Andrews 57 - Bandys 51

The game was a tight one going back and forth early in the first quarter, as Andrews was coming in looking for respect against the undefeated Bandys squad.

Towards the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter, Bandys started to show why they were one of the top teams in the 2A division all year long, as they went up 25-12 early in the second quarter with Antaijah Easter and Sara Goble leading the way.

But Andrews fought back, going on an 9-0 run to end the half and giving them a chance with only the second half to go. With the halftime score being 25-21, Bandys came out with another gear and made a quick 6-0 run to start the second half, giving them their second double digit lead in the game.

But they could never put away the Red Raiders.

Head coach John Shearin put his full court press into effect, applying pressure against the Trojans and causing some turnovers to get Andrews back into striking distance at the end of the third quarter, where Bandys led 44-37.

From then on, it was all Andrews, as they continued to apply the full court pressure, creating turnovers and speeding up the game for Bandy. That is when Imani Watkins took over the game for the Red Raiders, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, as Andrews outscored Bandy 20-7.

Bandys had a chance to tie the game when it was 53-51, but it wasn't meant to be Saturday afternoon, as Andrews secured the win and title by knocking down key free throws at the end of the game.

The MVP honors went to only Imani Watkins, as she scored 27 points for Andrews, going 9-of-19 from the floor. For the Most Outstanding Players, the awards went to Sara Goble, who finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds for Bandys and Brie Grier who chipped in 10 points for Andrews.

Andrews finishes the season with a 25-5 record and a state title, winning their first state title, while Bandys finished 31-1 on the season.

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Men's 2A State Championship

Kinston 67 - North Rowan 57

This was a tight game till the end. Kinston came out early to take the lead but North Rowan stormed out in the second quarter on a quick 7-0 run to take a 16-13 lead, leaving the Vikings a little confused with the full court press that North Rowan was providing.

North Rowan, after missing several buckets in the first, start hitting their shots, while Andrew Lopez was keeping the Vikings within striking distance. Brandon Ingram, who is rated the top player in the class of 2015 in NC, had five points at half, as North Rowan really took him away from his game early on.

Jalen Sanders put on a strong first half for North Rowan, scoring and leading the team to a 28-27 halftime lead, while scoring 10 points in the first two quarters.

Kinston came out strong though in the second half, with the Ingram coming alive and taking the team on his back.

Both teams wouldn't allow each other to gain any separation throughout the third quarter, as Kinston took a four point lead into the fourth quarter. In the end though, it came down to making plays, as the Vikings and Lopez hit key shots to what was a one point lead in the fourth.

From then, North Rowan couldn't find the bucket while continuing to foul the Vikings and sending them to the line.

Kinston went 22-of-28 in the game from the free throw line extending their lead and taking home their third straight title with a 67-57 win over North Rowan.

Brandon Ingram, who had five points in the first half, finished the game with 28 points and 16 rebounds, grabbing himself the MVP honors. Andrew Lopez also finished with 27 points for the Vikings, really controlling the floor at point guard and hitting key shots, including 4-of-6 from three.

For North Rowan, Jalen Sanders finished with 19 points while Mike Bowman had 17 and Michael Conner had 15 points in the game.

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