Eastern Randolph’s Nicah Taylor goes up for a shot against Robbinsville in the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
RANDLEMAN – Top-seeded Randleman fended off another challenge in the Class 2-A state playoffs, defeating eighth-seeded East Rutherford 62-55 on Saturday afternoon in the third round.
Elizabeth York scored 19 points, Gracyn Hall had 18 points and Audra Petty and Jordan Booker both posted 10 points for Randleman.
The Tigers (27-1) move on to the West Region semifinals Tuesday night at home against East Burke (26-2), a 54-37 winner against No. 13 seed Newton-Conover.
Randleman held a 27-16 halftime lead in winning its third home game in the state playoffs.
Class 1-A girls
At Ramseur, No. 13 seed Robbinsville eliminated fifth-seeded Eastern Randolph 60-45.
The Wildcats finished the season with a 19-8 record.
Robbinsville (20-8) outscored the Wildcats in every quarter, leading 44-34 going to the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Brecken Snotherly scored 23 points for Eastern Randolph. Teammate Kenly Whitaker added 10 points and Logan Beaver pulled in nine rebounds.
Class 1-A boys
At Ramseur, third-seeded Eastern Randolph topped sixth-seeded Robbinsville 83-64 to continue the winningest season in program history and move to the regional semifinals for the first time.
Davonte Brooks racked up 28 points, Timothy Brower poured in 22 points and Julian Brooks had 11 points for Eastern Randolph.
The Wildcats (27-2) will have to go on the road for the first time in the postseason for the West Region semifinals with Tuesday night’s game at second-seeded South Stokes (25-4), which eliminated Bessemer City 70-62.
Eastern Randolph built a 43-29 lead by halftime against Robbinsville (23-6).
