ELIZABETH CITY – Friday night saw Hertford County High School grab a pair of varsity basketball victories.

The Lady Bears knocked off Pasquotank County High School 52-40 while the boys team scored a 63-61 win over the Panthers.

In the varsity boys contest, Hertford County took a 13-9 lead after one quarter and added one-point to that advantage by the intermission where they led 32-27.

Pasquotank, however, roared back in the third quarter and outscored the Bears 20-15 to surge into a 47-47 tie.

In the closing minutes, Pasquotank took the lead in the contest, but the Bears came back and pulled out the two-point victory.

Shabazz Atkins paced the Bears with 17 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jquwan Ruffin added 11 points, three assists and three blocks.

Willie Bass and Brian Beale each collected a double-double during the event with Bass scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while Beale had 10 points and 14 boards.

“This was a good win in a hostile environment,” HCHS skipper Charles Simmons said.

The varsity girls contest was a close one until the third quarter.

The Bears led 15-11 after the first period and 26-21 at halftime, but blew the game open in the third quarter when they outscored the home team 14-2.

After that, the Lady Bears held on for the 12-point victory.

Sherneice Futrell had 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to collect a double-double. Brandi Burden added 12 points, six assists and five steals while Camaryn Jones had 11 points, seven boards and six steals.

Vanessa Mitchell added nine points and Desiree James had five.

“This was a good team effort from beginning to end,” third-year HCHS basketball boss Justin Frederes said. “I’m very proud of all the young ladies.”