The previous year, North Pitt and Seaforth faced off in the state semifinals and the Hawks moved on to the 2A state championship game hosted by the N.C. High School Athletic Association.

This year, the two teams faced each other once again in a game for the state championship, but the outcome was different. North Pitt easily defeated Seaforth with a score of 70-45, securing their spot in the state title game on Saturday.

Zamareya Jones, a new addition to NC State’s team, was responsible for scoring the first seven points for North Pitt in the game. Not only that, she also made a three-point shot just as the first quarter ended, giving North Pitt a 17-12 lead.

In the second quarter, the Panthers went on a 6-2 streak, prompting Seaforth to call a timeout. However, North Pitt continued to dominate, with Jordan Speller leading the way. By halftime, they had a comfortable lead of 34-22.

During the first half of the game, Jones scored 17 points and Speller scored 12 points for North Pitt.

Seaforth faced a tougher challenge in the second half as Gabby White received her fourth foul at the 5:35 mark of the third quarter. North Pitt’s momentum from the first half continued, and White ultimately fouled out in the fourth quarter.

North Pitt had a maximum lead of 23 points during the third quarter and was ahead 53-34 heading into the fourth quarter. Their lead continued to grow in the final quarter as they defeated Seaforth 70-45.

North Pitt’s top scorer, Jones, put up 29 points while her potential college coach, Wes Moore from NC State, watched. She also contributed nine rebounds and four assists.

The final score for Speller was 24 points, shooting 11 out of 13 shots successfully. Jones and Speller were the only players for North Pitt to score in double figures.

White scored 30 points and had 11 rebounds for Seaforth, but she was removed from the game due to fouling. None of the other players on the Hawks team reached double-digits in points.

On Saturday, in Winston-Salem, North Pitt will take on East Burke in the 2A state championship game. Earlier in the day, East Burke emerged victorious with a 48-39 score against Lincoln Charter in the western regional championship game.

North Pitt has competed in the girls’ basketball state championship four times throughout their time in school. They have emerged victorious in every single instance, with their most recent championship win occurring in 2018.

Instead of “can’t do”, because that phrase is not typically used in this context. The closest equivalent would be “I am unable to paraphrase”.

Result:

Seaforth: Gabby White scored 30 points and had 11 rebounds, Hannah Ajayi had 7 points, Katie Leonard had 4 points, Peyton Collins had 2 points, and Mia Moore had 2 points.

Source: highschoolot.com