Softball: East Surry, West Stokes, North Stokes win

East Surry used opportunistic base-running and stout defense to overcome a sluggish night at the plate Friday in the opening round of the 1A softball playoffs.

Strong pitching, early runs key East Surry triumph

East Surry baseball coach Barry Hall had some fresh arms getting loose in the bullpen in the late innings. In the end, he didn’t need them. Jordan Miller pitched his first complete game of the season, and the Cardinals eliminated Chatham Central from the 1A state playoffs by a 4-1 score Friday night.

Photo Gallery 1: Wilkes Central state title game

Yadkin Valley Sports photographer Eric Lusk captured these images from Saturday’s 2A state championship girls basketball game between Wilkes Central and Jordan-Matthews. The Eagles came up short, 56-39, against the Jets. But Central still can celebrate a 30-2 season overall — the best record in school history.

Wilkes Central stymied by Jordan-Matthews

Paige Love, Haley Williams and Katie Ryder wore stunned looks on their faces as the final seconds counted down in Saturday’s 2A girls basketball state championship game. This was not how the Wilkes Central senior trio – the program’s Big Three – envisioned the waning moments of their high school basketball careers. Not sitting on the bench while reserves dribbled out the remaining possessions. Not watching Jordan-Matthews players then storm the court and accept championship hardware. Not being on the end of a lopsided 56-39 defeat.

Wilkes Central falls in state title game, 56-39

Jordan-Matthews completed a perfect season and ended Wilkes Central dream of claiming the state’s ultimate prize, winning the 2A girls basketball state championship 56-39 on Saturday afternoon. Junior post standout Mylia Garner earned MVP status for the Jets, scoring 22 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots. Garner scored XXXX points in the third quarter as Jordan-Matthews (31-0) pulled away from a three-point halftime lead.

West Stokes’ Fleming finishes as 1,000-point scorer

Austin Fleming’s 14 points in last week’s 2A West Region semifinal basketball game against Cuthbertson helped the West Stokes senior reach a career milestone.

Advance state championship tickets on sale

Wilkes Central is selling advance tickets for Saturday’s 2A girls state championship basketball game through Thursday at the school. The cost is $9 per ticket if purchased through the school. Tickets will cost $10 if purchased at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum on game day.

Eagles savor payback in 2A West title victory

When Wilkes Central suffered a heartbreaking loss to Bandys last winter in the state playoffs, Paige Love had a premonition that the Eagles and Trojans would cross paths again in this year’s 2A tournament.

Wilkes Central’s Big Three becomes the Fab Four

When you talk about Wilkes Central girls basketball, the conversation usually begins with the Big Three – seniors Katie Ryder, Paige Love and Haley Williams, each of whom has scored more than 1,000 points in their careers. On Saturday evening, with the Eagles celebrating an amazing come-from-behind 58-45 victory over Bandys in the 2A West title game, a fourth player earned her way into that coveted spotlight.

Final: Wilkes Central 58, Bandys 45

It was a tough first half for Wilkes Central’s girls basketball team in the 2A West Regional championship game. The Eagles trail Bandys 32-19. Bandys has led much of the way and built a 24-11 lead with 3:12 to go before the break. Wilkes Central responded with an 8-0 run to pull within five points with 1:30 left. Haley Williams scored on a layup, Paige Love hit two free throws and Martha Mastin scored twice.

Clutch 3-pointer leads Wilkes Central past Cavs

The play wasn’t designed for Kristen Shumaker. In fact, Wilkes Central wasn’t trying to get a three-pointer at all. With the score tied 45-45 between the Eagles and East Burke in the closing seconds Friday night, Central coach Scott Waugh wanted to set something up for bullish senior forward Haley Williams around the paint.

A Story-book night for Bandys sophomore

It was fitting that Madi Story had the ball in her hands as the crowd cheered and the clocked ticked down on Bandys’ 60-49 victory over North Surry on Friday night. The 5-foot-11 sophomore forward was the big story in the nightcap game of the 2A West Region semifinals at UNC Greensboro, scoring 33 points – about twice her average — and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Final: Bandys 60, North Surry 49

The North Surry High School girls’ basketball team had its season come to an end with a 60-49 loss to Catawba Bandys Friday in the 2A West Regional semifinals at Fleming Gym at UNC-Greensboro. The Greyhounds finished the year 28-3.

Follow our hoops coverage tonight from UNCG

Spring sports are underway, but the pursuit of a state championship continues for two area girls basketball teams. Wilkes Central and North Surry both will compete in the 2A West Region semifinals this evening at UNC Greensboro’s Fleming Gymnasium.

These Wildcats were history makers, too

Set against the backdrop of the football team’s state championship, West Stokes’ boys basketball season may be perceived as falling short. But that would be a mistaken perception.

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