Albemarle women’s basketball advances easily in state playoffs

Published 11:20 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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Albemarle, the No. 4 seed in the 1A Western Region, exploded out of the gate Tuesday night in a home game against the Mitchell Mountaineers.

The Bulldogs (22-4) scored early and often while keeping Mitchell off the scoreboard, earning a 59-32 win.

Sophomore guard Amari Baldwin had another big game for Albemarle with 28 points while Nyleiah White added 10 and Jasmine Brown scored nine.

The team was without regular starter Bianca Robinson, who was sick.

Piper Cook led Mitchell (9-16) with eight points.

Albemarle did not allow the Mountaineers a field goal in the first quarter. Two free throws with no time left on the clock ended a 21-0 run for the Bulldogs in the opening period.

Mitchell’s first basket came with 6:57 left in the second period. The Mountaineers outscored Albemarle by one in the quarter, but the Bulldogs had a 29-11 halftime advantage.

The Bulldogs led by as much as 29 in the second half when a Baldwin basket put the hosts up 42-13 midway through the third quarter.

“‘Our bench really played well, and defensively we started off great,” Albemarle head coach Eric Davis said. “We just need to keep that same intensity…anytime you can move on is a blessing. I am extremely proud of this group; we will enjoy this one and prepare for Robbinsville Thursday.”

Albemarle will host the No. 13 seeded Robbinsville Black Knights (18-8) Thursday night at 6. Robbinsville advanced with an 83-60 win Tuesday night over No. 20 Starmount.

The Black Knights finished second in the Smoky Mountain Conference this season.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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