A team from the Triangle will be one of the last four still alive in the NCHSAA 4A tournament.

If you are a glass half empty type, you may say that tonight’s match of Riverside and Millbrook means one area team will be left out.  The Pirates or Wildcats will most likely face the undefeated Terry Sanford Bulldogs unless New Hanover can come up with an improbable victory in the first NCHSAA Regional Semifinal.

Riverside faces some of the same challenges that they faced against Enloe in the Sectional Final last week.  Millbrook is tough on the inside and will likely try to establish Donzell Hill and Tyrrel Tate early.  One big difference is the Wildcats have slashers in Jarrick Brown, Stephen Townsend, and Shi’Chee Moore.  The Pirates and coach Tim Ross will have a task thwarting the Wildcat double edged sword.

For Millbrook, it will be important to keep the turnovers down, to keep Tim Raven and Sean Deniton from beginning a fast break.  TJ Warren will also be a big concern for the Wildcats.  The sophomore is more comfortable scoring from the perimeter, but is also capable of scoring inside.  The X-Factor will be whether or not the Pirates can get David Mayer off.  Mayer can heat from outside and benefits from not always showing up on the scouting report.

However the outcome, there will be a team from the area playing for a chance to go to the state championship.   

Kerry Smith

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it