Northwestern Conference Tournament Championship
Morganton
Northwestern Conference Tournament Champions
Men’s Final
Alexander Central 57 South Caldwell 53 2 OT
The Cougars survived a double-overtime battle to capture the league tournament title Friday night at Freedom High School in Morganton.
The championship tilt featured eight ties and nine lead changes. The upstart Spartans, who knocked off number 1 seed Freedom in the semifinal looked to be enroute to another upset against the number two seed ACHS. Alexander Central trailed by four going into the final period.
The Cougars won the game thanks to some clutch free throws from Carter Fortner who was 9 of 9 from the stripe including 4 of 4 in the second overtime period. At the line Alexander was 22 of 27 compared to South’s 5 of 6.
The Blue and Gold’s Chad Lasher had 20 points and 10 rebounds and was selected Tournament MVP. Avery Cook added 17. Four Spartans were in double figures led by Tyler Cline with 14.
Alexander Central is 18-7, South drops to 13-14. The pairings for the State Playoffs are set to be announced on Saturday.
Men’s All-Tournament Team
Jay Willis (Hibriten)
Amore Connley (Freedom)
Tyler Eggers (South Caldwell)
Tyler Cline (South Caldwell)
Carter Fortner (Alexander Central)
Avery Cook (Alexander Central)
Chad Lasher (Alexander Central) Tournament MVP
Women’s Final
Watauga 48 Hibriten 43
Tournament MVP Kate Sears led the second seeded Lady Pioneers to the title with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Katie Story led the Hibriten scoring with 24.
Watauga improves to 20-6, Hibrtiten is now 22-4.
Women’s All-Tournament Team
Morgan Phipps (Ashe County)
Meredith Wike (Alexander Central)
Zoey Walker (Hibriten)
Katie Story (Hibriten)
Caroline Farthing (Watauga)
Brooke Scheffler (Watauga)
Kate Sears (Watauga) Tournament MVP