Basketball teams reach playoffs’ regional rounds

Four area teams reached the regional rounds of the N.C. High School Athletic Association basketball playoffs.

On the boys’ side, Hough was the lone area representative.

The Huskies, led by sophomore Luke Maye, toppled West Charlotte 61-52 in the sectional finals. Hough had a 19-point, 14-rebound, three-assist performance from Maye against the Lions.

With the win, their second against West Charlotte this season, the Huskies earned a spot in the regional semifinals against undefeated Olympic.

Hough fell to the Trojans to end its season Thursday. Despite early foul trouble, Maye led the Huskies with another double-double - 14 points and 10 rebounds. Drexler Clark had 11, while Theo Mack added 9.

The third-year Huskies finish their year 23-6.

Lake Norman Charter’s girls had a similar faith in the 1A western regional semifinal, losing to Kernersville Bishop McGuinness 82-63.

Despite Alex Busch’s 24 points and Sierra Wiley’s 20, the Knights couldn’t overcome foul trouble and turnovers to end their season 24-6.

Bandys’ girls, who reached the regional semis after defeating East Burke 58-55 in the third round of the 2A playoffs, also wrapped up their season last week. The Trojans fell to Canton Pisgah 57-45 to lose only their third game of the year.

Bandys (27-3) had 18 points from Madi Story and 10 points and 10 rebounds from Sarah Goble in the loss.

North Mecklenburg’s girls also reached the regional rounds.

Led by Jasmine Bullock’s 11 points and Jasmine Cash’s 10, the Lady Vikings defeated West Mecklenburg 61-52 in the sectional finals to finish undefeated at home this season.

North Meck faced Porter Ridge Friday in the regional semis. This article was sent to print before the game. For updates, see lknprepsports.blogspot.com.

Wildcats earn honors

Davidson senior Jake Cohen was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year by both the media and the league’s coaches last week.

Cohen, who was voted the conference’s top player by the media last year, becomes the fourth Wildcat to earn multiple conference top player honors.

The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game as Davidson (23-7) headed in the SoCon Tournament in Asheville last weekend.

Wildcats’ coach Bob McKillop was named SoCon Coach of the Year by his peers. The media’s pick was Elon’s Matt Matheny.

Junior De’Mon Brooks was a first-team all-conference selection, while senior Nik Cochran, who led the nation with his .955 free-throw percentage, was named third-team all-conference.

The Lady Wildcats’ Sophia Aleksandravicius also received SoCon Player of the Year honors for a second straight year.

A two-time SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, she led Davidson with her 15.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game before the SoCon tourney.

Junior Laura Murray was also named all-conference, while Dakota Dukes was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team.