After a gap of three years, Seventy-First’s boys basketball team has the opportunity to compete for the N.C. High School Athletic Association state championship for the second time.

On Tuesday afternoon, (4) Seventy-First emerged victorious over (2) Westover with a score of 63-44 in a 3A eastern regional championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem. The match featured two teams from Cumberland County.

Seventy-First set the tone early, opening the game on a 12-3 run. Westover managed just one field goal in the first quarter and the Falcons led 15-5.

In the first quarter, Westover only made 10% of their field goal attempts.

In the second quarter, the Wolverines regrouped and scored more points than Seventy-First, with a total of 17-16. However, the Falcons still held a significant 31-22 advantage at halftime.

At the end of the first half, Jacquez Foster scored a three-point shot right before the buzzer for Seventy-First High School, giving the team a boost of energy heading into halftime.

In the second half, Seventy-First regained their dominance. The team made 3 out of 6 three-pointers in the third quarter, outscoring Westover 15 to 8 and securing a 46-30 lead going into the final quarter.

The Falcons dominated in the fourth quarter, at one point holding a lead of 23 points, ultimately securing a victory against Westover.

Foster led Seventy-First in scoring with 25 points, including five made three-point baskets. Mylon Campbell added 13 points and Deandre Nance scored 12 points for the Falcons.

Ari Fulton of Westover’s Wolverines had the highest score of 15 points. Jaeden James was the sole other player from Westover to reach double figures, with a total of 10 points.

This upcoming basketball state championship will be the fifth appearance for Seventy-First in school history. Despite their previous attempts, the Falcons have yet to secure a victory in the state championship game.

On Friday in Winston-Salem, the championship game will feature Seventy-First (27-2) against the victor of (2) Central Cabarrus and (1) Hickory.

Westover finished their season with a 29-2 record. The team’s sole defeats were against Seventy-First.

Final Score: Seventy-First 63, Westover 44

Seventy-First: Jacquez Foster 25, Mylon Campbell 13, Deandre Nance 12, Micah Dowdy-Isom 6, Kayden Diggs 6, Xavier McBryde 1.

Westover High School’s basketball team had a combined score of 15 points from Ari Fulton, 10 points from Jaeden James, 5 points from Malachia Allen, and 4 points each from Jerimiah McGrady, Marselis Drummond, and Jaylen Miller. Almare Josey contributed 2 points to the team’s total.

Source: highschoolot.com