North Stanly women move forward in state playoffs

Published 11:26 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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Earning the top 2A seed from the Yadkin Valley Conference gave the North Stanly women’s basketball team a home game Tuesday night.

The Comets, as the No. 9 seed, hosted No. 24-seed Pine Lake Prep Pride and earned a 64-47 win.

The win was North’s first playoff win since the 2015-16 season, when the Comets won in the second round of the 1A playoffs at Avery County, 56-49. North’s previous 2A playoff win came Feb. 22, 2012, when the Comets won versus Starmount 57-36.

Shalyn Bell, the YVC’s Player of the Year, had a big night for North (21-4). The sophomore led the Comets with 24 points, making nine shots from the field and 6-of-7 at the foul line. Bell also had 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Paris Bennett, a senior forward, added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks, while freshman guard Lexi Brown had 14 points. Gia Dunlap, North’s starting point guard, scored seven in the win and led North with six assists. North was 12-of-15 at the foul line.

“The girls played very well together,” North head coach Regan Allen-Perry said. “We utilized our strengths and we can’t wait for the next round Thursday.”

The Comets will go on the road Thursday night to No. 8 East Rutherford (26-2). The Cavaliers advanced to the second round with a 70-23 home win over No. 25 Wheatmore.

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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