Women
Alexander Central 47 Hickory 43
Hickory: The Lady Cougars will play for the championship of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Classic Basketball Classic on Friday. The road there was bumpy Thursday evening against Hickory.
The Lady Cougars survived a game that was something of a slog for both teams.
AC led 36-31 going to the final period and would lead by as many as 11 with 3:18 remaining. Hickory was able chip away in part due to the Lady Cougars 9 for 24 free-throw shooting. But when the final horn sounded Alexander Central remained unbeaten at 13-0 and in position to win their second-straight tournament title.
Hallie Jarrett led the scoring for AC with 11 points. Mredeith Wike suffered a tough shooting night (2 of 11 and 5 of 12 from the free-throw line), had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Alexander Central will battle Fred T Foard for the title on Friday at 6pm
Men
Alexander Central 55 Fred T Foard 41
Alexander Central bounced back from a tough loss on Wednesday and beat Fred T Foard on Thursday.
AC never trailed and led 29-18 at the half. The Tigers were within 37 to 31 after three quarters to see the Cougars put the game away in the final period.
Carter Fortner led the Blue and Gold with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Chad Lasher scored 12 points and Jayon Conner contributed 11.
Davie Hartsoe led Foard with 15.
Alexander Central is now 6-7 while Foard falls to 3-7.
ACHS will play South Caldwell for 5th place on Friday at 1:30 pm.
Thursday Scores
Women
Alexander Central 47 Hickory 43
Foard 48 St Stephens 43
South Caldwell 52 Newton-Conover 36
Maiden 60 Bunker Hill 42
Men
Alexander Central 55 Foard 41
Hickory 99 Newton-Conover 59
St Stephens 79 Maiden 70
South Caldwell 63 Bunker Hill 55
Friday’s Action
9am- 7th place Women- (6) Bunker Hill vs. (8) Newton-Conover
10:30am- 7th place Men- (7) Fred T Foard vs. (8) Bunker Hill
12pm- 5th place Women- (4) South Caldwell vs. (7) Maiden
1:30pm- 5th place Men- (4) South Caldwell vs. (6) Alexander Central
3pm- 3rd place Women- (2) St. Stephens vs. (5) Hickory
4:30pm- 3rd place Men- (2) Maiden vs. (5) Newton-Conover
6pm- Women’s Championship- (1) Alexander Central vs. (3) Fred T Foard
7:30pm- Men’s Championship- (1) Hickory vs. (3) St. Stephens