Northeastern girls roll past Bertie
Published 11:14 am Sunday, December 29, 2024
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By ANDRE ALFRED
Sports Correspondent
AHOSKIE – The 33rd annual News-Herald Holiday Classic kicked off the second round of games on Friday, Dec. 27 with the Northeastern Lady Eagles defeating Bertie’s Lady Falcons, 60-26.
Bertie’s Armani Bridgett reaches for a rebound in Friday’s loss against Northeastern during second round action of the News-Herald Holiday Classic. A.A. Imaging / Andre Alfred
The Lady Eagles were victorious over J.H. Rose High School in Thursday’s first round of the tourney, while the Lady Falcons were blessed with a bye.
The first three and a half minutes of the first quarter was not pleasant to watch as both teams struggled to find the inside of the rim. Missed shots and tons of turnovers plagued both teams.
Northeastern finally tuned in for two points with 4:30 on the clock, sparking a run of three quick baskets giving them a 6-0 lead with 3:55 left.
Bertie lit up its side of the scoreboard with a pair of free throws from Alexia Dickerson. Dickerson scored another basket from the field, providing her team with the only points in the first quarter where the Lady Falcons trailed 9-4.
The Eagles struck first in the second period. Falcon senior Armani Bridgett drained a three-ball at the 5:45 mark, trimming the Eagles lead to 11-7.
The aggressive defensive unit of the Eagles paired with missed opportunities of the Falcons resulted in Bertie being held basketless until it 45 seconds left to play in the first half. At the sound of the buzzer ending the first half showed the Eagles up 30-9.
Bertie senior Zynaeja Leary opened the third frame with a quick deep three at 7:50. Both once again the pattern continued for the Falcons, suspect defense, missed shots and turnovers, paired with aggressive defensive posture of the Eagles.
The Eagles continued to increase their lead while holding the Falcons to only to Leary’s trey earlier in the period.
That scoring silence was broken as Dickerson revisited the free-throw line sinking only one the two free throws.
The Eagles continued to press the Falcons’ offensive unit holding them to only eight points in the third quarter.
The Eagles opened the fourth quarter leading 49-17. Bridgett hit a three-pointer for Bertie, but Northeastern completely dominated the final period of play while holding Bertie to only seven points.
Northeastern’s win secures the Lady Eagles a spot in the varsity girls championship game on Monday night at the HCHS gym.