PITTSBORO, N.C. — Over the last few decades, Chatham Central and Northwood have not played as often as you’d think two public schools in the same county with bordering districts would. But that’s because, over those last few decades, Northwood has been triple the size of Chatham Central, the former often competing in 3A while the latter is 1A.

But these last four years, with Northwood falling to 2A and the formation of the Mid-Carolina Conference, the two teams have played each other in league play.

Never have the two sides been as evenly matched in both boys and girls basketball as they were Thursday night.

The Northwood boys won 59-52 to stay atop the Mid-Carolina, while the Northwood girls broke a tie for third with a 53-31 over the Bears.

Girls

Neah Henry led a balanced scoring attack for Northwood (10-4, 5-2), scoring 12 points. The Chargers led 29-19 at halftime and only allowed three points in the third quarter.

Chatham Central (8-4, 4-3) was led by Karaleigh Dodson’s 11 points.

Also scoring for the Bears were Addison Overman (2), Landry Allen (5), Mattie Underwood (2) Chloe Scott (5), and Addison Goldston (7).

Northwood’s scorers were: Jessiah Cotton (2), Princess Amedakah (1), Noelle Whitaker (9), Alyia Roberts (5), Ella Hickey (1), Shaylah Glover (9), Sydney Ballard (9), and Mikaylah Glover (5).

Boys

Cam Fowler was hot all night to keep Northwood (14-2, 8-0) from avoiding an upset. He scored a career-high 30 points, and the next-best scorer for the Chargers was Josiah Brown’s 11.

Chatham Central (10-2, 5-2), which has not defeated Northwood in more than 20 years, though that’s a little flawed given how few times they’ve played, got 19 points from Reid Albright.

The Bears trailed 28-26 at halftime and 41-39 after the third quarter.

Also scoring for the Bears was Luke Gaines (10), Brennen Oldham (10), Aiden Johnson (10), Jeremiah Young (3).

Northwood’s other scorers were Chad Graves (4), Hayes Burleson (4), Isaiah Blair (5), and Beau Harvey (5).