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GREENSBORO -- When the last of Westover's six potential game-winning shots fell off and the final buzzer sounded Friday night, the Northern Guilford Nighthawks didn't jump around or exchange chest-bumps. Mainly, they stood in place and eventually raised tired arms in victory.

And it took a while to muster that after a 59-58 win in the 3-A East regional third-round game.

"We're lucky. We're fortunate," Northern coach Ryan Freeman said. "But the harder you work, the luckier you get. I guess it was our turn to catch a break tonight."

The Nighthawks (25-2) survived three Wolverine possessions in the final 90 seconds to advance to Thursday's semifinal against Northeast Guilford, a 60-50 winner over Southern Lee, at Minges Coliseum in Greenville. All six Westover shots for the lead were within six feet of the basket. The last three followed a missed one-and-one and had the home crowd practically screaming in fear.

"We had at least three looks," Wolverines coach George Stackhouse said. "We have to put that ball in the basket."

Since November, Freeman, like every other coach worth his whistle, had been preaching the fundamentals of defense -- particularly in specifically defined situations. Friday's decisive one came with 5 seconds to go and the Wolverines in possession under their basket.

The most feared option was a lob to Mike Jones, the 6-foot-6, 260-pounder known without reservation or elaboration as "Big Mike." Jones isn't a threat to catch the ball at the rim, but denying him a touch altogether is exceptionally difficult.

The Nighthawks managed that denial off the inbounds pass.

They were then concerned with Westover's next choice, in which a guard would set a screen and hope the Nighthawks would fail to switch on it. Jayshawn Campbell did get the in-bounds pass and a decent look, but his off-balance effort was off. Jones, who occupied so much attention off the first pass, had a path to the rebound.

His six-footer in the lane, which would have apparently counted, fell off to the left.

"Five seconds felt like 5 minutes," Freeman said. "Amazing how many chances you can get in 5 minutes."

Northern Guilford won its 12th straight, failing to score in the final 2:47.

The Nighthawks ultimately won it because they shot 22-for-38 from the floor through three quarters and had a 51-42 lead entering the fourth.

Jonathan Frye had 20 points and six assists for Northern and Jon McBeth delivered 18 points.

Yes, Freeman said, the Nighthawks were happy even if they were too stunned to show it.

"They know how hard they've worked and what goes into this thing," he said. "We've talked all year about defense. And there you are. Five seconds. Up one. The ball out of bounds."

Westover -- Theo Livingston 3, Alex Watson 2, Jayshawn Campbell 9, Carlton Ford 8, Randy McClellan 11, Jason Campbell 8, Mike Jones 17.

Northern Guilford -- Jonathan Frye 20, Jon McBeth 18, Dylan Berry 7, Victor Dillard 2, Daniel Downing 8, Patrick Chandler 2, Jalen Ross 2.