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ELIZABETH CITY – Northeast Academy unleashed a “one-two” knockout punch here last night (Tuesday).

The fifth-seeded Lady Eagles rode the strength of Hayes Hatcher’s game-high 27 points and 26 points from Emalee Jones as Northeast defeated fourth-seeded Albemarle School, 55-48, in the opening round of the Tarheel Independent Conference basketball tournament.

The Lady Eagles trailed 32-27 at halftime, but outscored the Colts, 28-16, in the second half.

Northeast advances to meet top-seeded Pungo Christian Academy in tonight’s (Wednesday) semifinals at the Albemarle School gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

In other TIC tournament action on Tuesday night, the fifth-seeded Northeast Academy boys saw their season come to an end during a 74-41 loss to Terra Ceia Christian School.

Carter Hatcher (13 points), Chance Lassiter (7), and Dawson Vann (6) led Northeast.