East Bladen vs. Cherokee
- East Bladen advances after taking down Perquimans 77-63, while Cherokee knocked off Bishop McGuinness 65-61
Two very hot teams come into this one, as East Bladen has won 14 in a row and Cherokee is riding a 16-win ride towards the end of the season. Both have racked up the wins all season long and has proven to be two strong teams, but only one will be able to walk away with a championship.
2025 NeNe Ward and 2025 Laila Smith have been a dynamic duo all season long for East Bladen, with both averaging over 16 points per game and being that veteran leadership. 2026 Ariel Cromartie is right behind them with 10.5 points per game, giving this team some firepower that has been clicking towards the end of the season. But they will also have their hands full against Cherokee who brings a balanced attack averaging nearly 80 points per game. 2025 Whitney Rogers leads the way, but this is a team that has four players averaging double-figures, which include 2026 Cecily Swimmer, 2027 Aaliyah Rogers, and 2027 Joscelyn Stamper. But then they have other young prospects that have really stepped up, making the Braves a very intriguing team not only this year but for the future.