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Three local schools will have to find additional space in their trophy cases now that their respective conference tournament championships are over.

This past Friday night, the Hertford County varsity boys, Bertie varsity boys, and Gates County varsity girls each posted wins in their tournament title games.

In Elizabeth City, Hertford County’s injury-plagued season experienced a high note as the Bears held off rival Northeastern, 45-35, in the tournament finals of the Northeastern Coastal Conference.

The two teams had split their two games during the regular season.

No stats were available for the tourney title game.

The Bears (19-8 overall) are seeded #7 in the Eastern Class 2A Bracket and will host #26 James Kenan at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in its state playoff opener.

At Tarboro, Bertie got the upper hand on Washington County for the second time this season, knocking off the regular season Panthers, 54-48, to win the Four Rivers Conference tournament championship.

The Falcons led 22-18 at halftime and then used a 24-14 scoring advantage in the third quarter to inflate its margin to double digits.

Zymiere Dempsey led the Falcons with 17 points. Tequan Holley added 16 points.

Bertie (22-4 overall) moves into this week’s NCHSAA State 1A Playoffs as the #11 seed in the Eastern Bracket. The Falcons will host #16 KIPP Pride (8-13 overall) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 27) in opening round action.

Also in Tarboro on Friday night, the Gates County girls upset regular season champion Perquimans County, 32-31, and laid claim to the Four Rivers Conference tournament championship trophy.

Gates County had lost both of its regular season games vs. Perquimans.

London Barber and Kyndall Banks led the way for the Lady Barons, each with nine points. Semiyah Saunders chipped in four points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Gates County (20-4) overall opens the state playoffs at home at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 vs. #22 Weldon. The Lady Barons are seeded #11 in the Eastern Class 1A Bracket.

Also gaining state tournament bids were the Hertford County girls and the Bertie girls.

The Lady Bears (19-8 overall) are seeded #17 in the Eastern Class 2A Bracket and will travel to #16 Southeast Alamance for their state playoff opener on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

The Lady Falcons (10-13 overall) gained a #23 seed in the Eastern Class 1A Bracket and will play their opening round game at #10 Pamlico County on Tuesday, Feb. 27.