3A Regional Championship Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NCHSAA Regional Championships were held on Saturday with some strong matchups at the 3A level.&nbsp; In the Eastern Region, Rocky Mount Gryphons took on the Cape Fear Colts with the Gryphons punching their ticket to the state championship game on Saturday.&nbsp; Rocky Mount will take on the West Rowan Falcons after they defeated the East Lincoln Mustangs on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with the Eastern Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kira Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rocky Mount","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKira Jones was ready to play from the jump immediately gaining possession and finding her open teammate underneath the basket.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was patient handling the ball waiting for a play to develop and getting the pass to her teammate at the perfect time.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe didn't shy away from contact driving hard to the hoop banking the shot in from the paint.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer quickness on defense was an asset playing off the ball denying the pass to her opponent.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["412298"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eCaroline Thiel was a strong presence inside being able to grab rebounds and make some nice cuts in the paint for her points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe showed off her range shooting the ball from deep, too.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe protected the paint blocking shots as players tried to drive against her.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe had some nice second chance points off her offensive rebounds.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Nyla Powell","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Rocky Mount","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eNyla Powell was another strong presence inside battling through contact to score some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was persistent going after rebounds.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was effective at sealing off her defenders protecting the ball as it was getting passed to her, and she was already in position to score some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eOffensive rebounding was a big piece of the Gryphons' victory, and it was due to her presence around the rim.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["285942"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eJayda Angel has excellent change of direction moves that she uses to get her defenders off their feet and put up her shot.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was very effective on the full court press grabbing steals and quickly scoring two points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe had a nice stroke from deep creating her own space with her handles.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was stripping the ball from her opponents and pushing it up full court to score some points on both sides of the rim.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640901bc4d175"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, let's see the standouts from the Western Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":612113,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tiara Thompson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"West Rowan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Carolina Flames","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eTiara Thompson seemed to have a speciality of popping the ball out from underneath her opponents' hands.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eThese steals she would push right up the court with ease getting by her opponents and attacking the rim.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe found her open teammates cutting up the court for some fast breaks as well.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe makes strong adjustments at the rim scoring no matter who is trying to stop her.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Emma Clarke","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"West Rowan","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eEmma Clarke was protecting the paint blocking shots as players tried to drive against her.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe runs the floor well being ready for the pass in transition to score some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe found the openings on the block making her cuts and sliding in the gaps at the perfect times.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":585978,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Demya Phifer","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"West Rowan","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDemya Phifer continues to leave it all out on the court hustling back on defense to deflect some passes.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can push these steals up the court on her own or find an open teammate for some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe battled through contact when she attacked the basket herself.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["385175"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eJamecia Huntley uses every bit of her height to cause problems in the paint knowing how to control her body to not get the foul called.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe uses shot fakes to get open and pull up for her jumpers.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was constantly moving on offense finding the openings and flashing in and out of the paint to shift the defense.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["563285"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eLauren Arnold did a nice job sliding to the block getting the pass and bucket.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe uses her body to protect the possession and battle against contact all over the court.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe slid into passing lanes grabbing the steal, and she can certainly handle these all the way up the court herself.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was cutting to the hoop with speed staying ready to catch the pass and score.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["509880"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":612120,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eEmma Montanari was getting inside for rebounds even scoring from offensive boards showing off some nice post moves like her power dribbles to get the ball up and in the hoop.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer jab step is very effective getting her defender off balance as she drives around them and scores battling contact for some old fashioned three point plays.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a nice job moving laterally on defense to keep her opponent in front of her.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Hailey Mcfadden","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"East Lincoln","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eHailey Mcfadden was a strong presence in the paint being persistent going against contact for some rebounds.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe seals off her opponents making sure she is the only one who can catch the pass or rebound.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a nice job starting with her back to the basket, turning to square up, and bank in some points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Kiara Anderson","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"East Lincoln","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"E.A. Lady Stars","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKiara Anderson was another excellent ball handler for her team using her crossovers to get to the rim and score some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eHer quick closeout caused problems for her opponents on defense as she was constantly able to put a hand in their faces as they shot the ball.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eWhen breaking the press, she was able to recognize when and where traps were coming in order to avoid them as she got the ball up the court.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640901bc4d4b3"} /-->