NORTHERN GUILFORD BLASTS PAST CONFERENCE RIVAL EASTERN ALAMANCE 44-26

In the fourth match-up of the season between the two teams, Northern Guilford evened up the season series against their conference rival Eastern Alamance and also notched their biggest win of the season to this point, claiming the school’s first regional championship. The Nighthawks knocked off Eastern Alamance 44-26 in the 3A Women’s Eastern Regional final, their second win against the Eagles in as many games.

Eastern Alamance won both of the regular season matches, but Northern Guilford has been hot at the right time as they have gotten the better of the Eagles in both tournament games.

The Eagles led 7-6 after one quarter of play before a suffocating Nighthawk defense held Eastern Alamance to just four points in the second quarter, giving Northern Guilford a 10 point lead at the half, 21-11.

The Nighthawks held Eastern Alamance to just 26.7% shooting from the field, whil they managed an efficient 40% on the afternoon. Elissa Cunane, the 2016 Mid-State 3A Player of the Year, led Northern Guilford. She scored 19 points on a perfect 11 of 11 free throws and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Her teammate Kassie Robakiewicz added 10 points and eight rebounds to help the Nighthawks out-rebound Eastern 36-23.

Eastern Alamance’s lone double-figures scorer was Midori Long with 12 points. She also cleared nine rebounds on the day.

Northern Guilford heads to the 3A State Finals Saturday in Chapel Hill where they face Freedom High School.