news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Bishop McGuinness entered the NCHSAA Class 1-A Western Regional seeking a record sixth consecutive state girls basketball title. The Villains had to battle in the sectional final Saturday before advancing with a 64-57 win over River Mill Academy at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center.

Bishop (25-6) seemed to have Saturday's game in hand with a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter. But a 10-1 run by the Jaguars, during which Cameron Nieters went to the bench with her fourth foul, made for a tight fourth quarter.

The Villains came through from the foul line, scoring their final eight points on free throws to clinch the game.

Coach Brian Robinson said this game ranked as one of the toughest for his team in its historic six-year run, also mentioning a game against East Surry during the second championship season that also came down to free throws.

Regional MVP Megan Buckland led the way Saturday with 26 points, including four free throws in the final minute and a key defensive rebound.

Freshman Olivia DeFrancesco had 15 points, including two free throws with 32 seconds remaining and Bishop clinging to a one-point lead.

Nieters finished with 13 points, including seven in the first quarter. She came up with a key defensive rebound with 8.2 seconds remaining and proceeded to hit two free throws.

Next up for the Villains is a matchup with Southwest Onslow (24-3) in the state championship at noon Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.

"It's another game. It's our next game, so it's a big game because it's our next one," Buckland said. "There's pressure, but we're going to go out there and play another game."

Robinson has tried to avoid talk of the streak, but knows it will be impossible for the next week.

"I will say again, though, we have not talked about a making history-type run. We have not talked about that all year," he said. "That's going to come up more so than ever. We are very proud to have the opportunity to win number six and try to make a little history."

River Mill 16 14 14 13 — 57
Bishop McGuinness 20 18 12 14 — 64

River Mill (36-2) — Shaylen Burnett 19, McKenzie Owen 15, Lenaira Ruffin 9, Marla Crawford 6, Daijah Faucette 5, Ashley Spivey 3.

Bishop McGuinness (25-6) — Megan Buckland 26, Olivia DeFrancesco 15, Cameron Nieters 13, Sammi Goldsmith 6, Erin Liebal 2, Sarah Coon 2.