Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the regional watching piedmont. The Great One is here to recap the 3rd round and give you his picks for the regional final participants. The sectional finals delivered some shockers as usual, being traditionally one of the toughest rounds to pick. The Sadster went 13-3 In the West but floundered to a 10-6 mark in the East brackets for a round total of 23-9, or 72%. His overall mark is 153-39, or 80%. Several eastern upset winners included, but weren’t limited to N. Edgecomb, KIPP Pride, 71st, Rocky Mount and Panther Creek, who is wearing the Cinderella slipper well so far. In the West, we saw West Caldwell, Enka, and Monroe pull off stunners. We will now recap each class and see who your regional finalists will be. To the picks!!
4A WEST: There were no surprises in this bracket as the regional bracket has become the Furious 5 Championship Tournament. Here are the winners:
NORTH MECK and the Upset Special winner, CHAMBERS
4A EAST: Panther Creek has been on a roll and is one of 3 true Cinderella teams left in the entire state playoffs. Their latest victim was Apex Friendship but must travel to a seasoned Millbrook squad. Top seed Richmond escaped in OT from upset minded Pine Forest and doesn’t have a picnic with Cleveland paying a visit. This is who will advance:
RICH WHAT' RICHMOND, MILLBROOK
3A WEST: Enka posted a surprising win over the 3 seed Crest but are in the path of a locomotive called Central Cabarrus. West Charlotte and Central Cabarrus still appear on an intercept course. Can visiting Smith ruin WC’s night' Let’s see:
WEST CHARLOTTE, CENTRAL CABARRUS
3A EAST: Rocky Mount and 71st pulled off true upsets over top seed South Central and Hunt respectively. Their reward is a matchup with each other. Northwood continues to dismantle all comers but is West Carteret their next quarry' Who will survive' We’ll check it out now:
71ST, and the Upset Special winner, NORTHWOOD
2A WEST: West Caldwell took out top seed RS Central but can they dispatch North Surry' Robinson is rolling by an average of 24 PPG and hosts Monroe, an upset winner over the 2 seed Lincoln Charter. Here are your regional final teams:
N. SURRY, ROBINSON
2A EAST: This bracket is the only one in which all 4 top seeds have advanced to the regionals. Farmville Central continues to be an absolute wrecking machine and St. Paul’s is next. Cummings won a tight one over Goldsboro and will travel to Kinston for the semis. Here are the finalists:
FARMVILLE CENTRAL, KINSTON
1A WEST: Top seed Hayesville is abusing all opponents and hosts the 4 seed Thomasville next. Perennial power WS Prep will host Bessemer City in the other semi. Who wins' Let’s check it out:
HAYESVILLE, WS PREP
1A EAST: KIPP Pride ruined Henderson Collegiate’s run and are a true Cinderella story. Can they pull out more magic at top seeded Chatham Central' Wilson Prep entertains another Cinderella team in the 11 seed North Edgecomb, who stopped the 3 seed Wash. County. Will the slippers fit' Lets find out:
CHATHAM CHARTER, WILSON PREP
There you have it folks!!! Now we know who the winners will be so let’s get out and watch history materialize right in front of you. The Great One will return later this week with his regional semi recap and will tell you who will be playing for rings. Stay tuned!!!
SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS
