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AHOSKIE – Gates County High School gain an opening night split here Thursday at the 33^rd annual Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic.

In the girls game, Gates County remained undefeated thus far this season as the Lady Barons placed three players in double figures in a 63-34 win over Roanoke Rapids.

The win advanced Gates County (8-0 overall) into a Friday night (Dec. 27) matchup vs. Hertford County.

The Lady Barons never trailed, scoring the game’s first six points en route to a 13-5 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

Another 6-0 run came in the opening minutes of the second period where a basket each from Zoey Nowell, Zariah Rogers, and Kamryn Riddick extended the GCHS lead to 19-5.

Another hoop from Nowell, this one off an offensive rebound, and a three-pointer by Kyndall Banks helped the Lady Barons open up a 16-point lead (24-8) late in the second quarter.

London Barber and Zebriya Woodley each scored a basket inside the final minute of the first half where GCHS held a 28-12 lead.

Banks had a steal and a layup to open the third quarter. By the time Barber scored two baskets and Riddick and Semayia Cross added one each, Gates County’s lead had exceeded 20 points at 38-17.

Rogers added a three-pointer later in the period, which ended with the Lady Barons leading 43-25.

Roanoke Rapids got as close as 15 (43-28) to open the fourth quarter, but GCHS then reeled off 11 of the game’s next 13 points to build a commanding 54-30 lead. Two baskets by London and a three-pointer from Banks sparked that offensive surge.

Barber led Gates County with a game-high 17 points. Banks and Nowell added 10 points each while Riddick and Rogers both chipped in seven points. Rounding out the GCHS scoring were Cross (6), Woodley (4), and Ny’Ashia Perry (2).

Shaniah Daniels led Roanoke Rapids with 14 points. Kara Baird added 11.

GCHS boys fall vs. Roanoke Rapids

In the varsity boys game, Gates County only trailed by six (26-20) at halftime, but struggled to get shots to fall in the second half en route to a 54-43 loss against Roanoke Rapids.

The game was tied at 9-9 with just over two minutes left in the first quarter after Gates County’s Kadarius Harrison converted an old-fashioned three-point play followed by A.J. Hart connecting on a floater in the lane.

But Roanoke Rapids grabbed the lead for-keeps thanks to three-pointers from Quentez Richardson and Bryce Spillane.

Gates County kept the game close in the second quarter, trailing only by four (19-15) after Clinton Mizelle had a steal and a layup and then he added a basket off an offensive rebound.

Baskets by Rowan Massey and Deshawn Sherman helped the Barons stay within striking distance at halftime.

GCHS remained within seven points (30-23) early in the third quarter after Sherman drilled a three-pointer from the deep corner. But the Yellow Jackets – sparked by a pair of baskets each from Trent Seldon and Khamauri Wood – answered with a 12-4 run to close the period and their largest lead of the game, 42-27.

Mizelle scored a game-high 18 points to pace Gates County. Sherman also scored in double figures with 10 points. Jason Gary (5), Hart (4), Harrison (3), and Massey (3) rounded out the GCHS scoring.

Roanoke Rapids was led by Wood (15) and Bobby Hawkins (12).

Gates County’s boys will play again in Saturday’s consolation round vs. Greater Destiny Prep Academy. Tip-off is set for approximately 5:30 p.m. at the Hertford County High School gym.

In other opening round action from Thursday, Northeastern High School swept their two games: the girls defeating J.H. Rose, 49-39, while the boys game went to overtime with the Eagles pulling out a 72-65 win.

The following games will be played today (Friday) at the Hertford County High School gym:

4:00 pm (Girls) Northeastern vs. Bertie

5:30 pm (Boys) Northeastern vs. Bertie

7:00 pm (Girls) Gates County vs. Hertford County

8:30 pm (Boys) Roanoke Rapids vs. Hertford County

All consolation games will be held on Saturday at 4 pm (5^th place girls), 5:30 pm (5^th place boys), 7 pm (3^rd place girls), and 8:30 pm (3^rd place boys).

The championship games will be held on Monday at 6 pm (girls) and 7:30 pm (boys).