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AHOSKIE – Despite having only five players, Northeast Academy’s varsity girls hung tough with a tall and talented Southampton Academy team before suffering a 70-49 setback here Thursday evening in the semifinals of the inaugural Doug Cobbs Scholarship Basketball Tournament.

The Lady Eagles battled Southampton to a 15-15 stalemate after the opening eight minutes of action. The Lady Raiders, sparked by the steady play of Emma Belmonte and Ashtyn Dunn, outscored Northeast 22-12 in the second quarter to take a 37-27 halftime lead.

An 8-0 run by Southampton to open the third quarter sealed their win.

However, the Lady Eagles refused to quit. Emalee Jones had an outstanding game, scoring a game-high 33 points. Sarah Kate Ricks added seven points for Northeast. Hayes Hatcher (5) and Leah McDermott (4) rounded out the scoring for the Lady Eagles.

Belmonte (22), Caroline Slate (17), and Dunn (15) led the Lady Raiders.

Southampton advanced to meet Lawrence Academy in Friday night’s varsity girls championship game.

JV Results

In the junior varsity portion of the Cobbs Tournament, Ridgecroft School advanced both of its teams to the championship round.

In jayvee girls action, Ridgecroft raced out to a 12-2 first quarter lead en route to a 27-22 win over Northeast.

Hannah Slaughter (11) and Claire Cherry (8) topped the Ridgecroft scoring.

Payton Odom (9) and Karson Ricks (5) led Northeast.

In a tightly-contested junior varsity boys game, Ridgecroft edged Southampton Academy, 29-27.

Landon Woodard scored a game-high 14 points to pace Ridgecroft.

Grant Applewhite’s 11 points led Southampton.

Ridgecroft’s jayvee girls and boys met Lawrence Academy in Friday’s championship games.