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GATESVILLE – Gates County’s varsity girls basketball team made a 300-plus mile road trip worth the effort.

The underdog Lady Barons pulled off an upset on Friday, March 1 as they knocked off sixth-seeded Union High School, 48-37, in the second round of the 2024 NCHSAA Class 1A State Playoffs.

It marked the 10^th consecutive victory for Gates County who saw their record improve to 22-4 overall.

London Barber led the way with a double-double effort: 24 points and 11 rebounds. Kyndall Banks added nine points, four steals, four rebounds, and three assists. Semiyah Saunders chipped in seven points, seven rebounds and five steals.

Semayia Cross (3 points), Zariah Rogers (3), and Zebriya Woodley (2) rounded out the GCHS scoring.

With the win, Gates County (22-4 overall) advances to the third round and a March 5 outing at #3 East Columbus (23-1 overall).

Two other teams in the Roanoke-Chowan area also used wins on Friday night to advance to the third round of the state playoffs.

Bertie’s boys, seeded at #11 in the Class 1A bracket, knocked off #6 West Columbus, 73-65.

Zymiere Dempsey poured in a game-high 36 points to lead Bertie. Tequan Holley and Jah’Kelvin Rascoe each scored in double figures for the Falcons with 13 and 10 points respectively.

Dempsey added yeoman’s work on the glass, hauling down a team-high 14 rebounds while Rascoe dished out 10 assists.

The win advances the Falcons (24-4 overall) to a March 5 game at #3 Voyager School (23-8) in Durham.

Hertford County’s boys, seeded #7 in the Eastern Class 2A bracket, placed four starters in double figures while holding Franklin Academy to more than 20 points below their season average en route to a 73-41 win over the Patriots in second round action.

Jayden Robinson (16 points), Rimiez Williams (14), Shimere Garris (11), and Keveon Rodgers (10) led the way for the Bears.

Hertford County (21-8 overall) advances to meet #2 Goldsboro on Tuesday, March 5.