Northwood, Trinity girls could play for state title
Jaclyn Shambaugh FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
The Northwood Temple and Trinity Christian girls have already met twice this season. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the two teams face off one more time in late February to decide the state championship. Northwood likely sowed up the top seed in the girls’ 1-A bracket of the NCISAA playoffs with its win over Trinity last week. A loss to Trinity could have been a major blow against the Eagles’ hopes of a state championship.
Northwood is now 16-1, with the Eagles’ only loss coming at the hands of an out-of-state team. Every win counts in the NCISAA, where teams are seeded by a board that can evaluate individual wins and losses and judge strength of schedule.
Trinity is the defending 1-A state champion, and it won that 2015 title as a No. 2 seed despite suffering six losses in the regular season.
Balanced team
Northwood is a wellbalanced team. The Eagles’ back court, anchored by cousins Kendal and Ciara Moore, has garnered plenty of attention, but Northwood also boasts a true post player in Maria Bardeeva.
The senior presents a strong presence inside and isn’t shy about shooting a 3-point goal when necessary.
Trinity is missing that sort of quality post player since the graduation of forward Corinthia Lindsay, an all-state selection from last year’s championship team.
The Crusaders (16-5) are young in the post, starting sophomore Ceundra McGee and junior Aiyanna Stallworth.
Alex Scruggs, the Crusaders’ dynamite freshman point guard, along with leading the team in scoring with 18 points per game, is also the team’s top rebounder (9.3 rpg).
That’s a testament to Scruggs’ tenacity on the court, but it’s also a sign that the Crusaders have a void in the front court.
I wouldn’t count Trinity out, though.
The Crusaders have won three of the last four NCISAA 1-A state titles, taking the championship in 2015, 2013 and 2012.
Northwood won the 2014 title, meaning Fayetteville’s been the home of that 1-A trophy for four straight years.
The Crusaders’ losses this year have come against Providence Day, a two-loss 3-A private school, and 4-A public schools East Wake and Raleigh Leesville Road, each of which also has two losses.
Northwood Temple is responsible for Trinity’s other two losses. The Eagles are easily the team to beat as the postseason approaches.
But I’d love to see a Northwood and Trinity contest for a third time in the state playoffs, a scenario that unbelievably hasn’t happened since the two teams have owned the 1-A title dating back to 2012.
An early-round meeting is possible, given the number of other quality teams like Burlington School, Ridgecroft and Halifax that will surely fill the bracket.
I’m holding out hope for a championship meeting between the two at host school Ravenscroft on Feb. 20.
Jaclyn Shambaugh FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
The Northwood Temple and Trinity Christian girls have already met twice this season. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the two teams face off one more time in late February to decide the state championship. Northwood likely sowed up the top seed in the girls’ 1-A bracket of the NCISAA playoffs with its win over Trinity last week. A loss to Trinity could have been a major blow against the Eagles’ hopes of a state championship.
Northwood is now 16-1, with the Eagles’ only loss coming at the hands of an out-of-state team. Every win counts in the NCISAA, where teams are seeded by a board that can evaluate individual wins and losses and judge strength of schedule.
Trinity is the defending 1-A state champion, and it won that 2015 title as a No. 2 seed despite suffering six losses in the regular season.
Balanced team
Northwood is a wellbalanced team. The Eagles’ back court, anchored by cousins Kendal and Ciara Moore, has garnered plenty of attention, but Northwood also boasts a true post player in Maria Bardeeva.
The senior presents a strong presence inside and isn’t shy about shooting a 3-point goal when necessary.
Trinity is missing that sort of quality post player since the graduation of forward Corinthia Lindsay, an all-state selection from last year’s championship team.
The Crusaders (16-5) are young in the post, starting sophomore Ceundra McGee and junior Aiyanna Stallworth.
Alex Scruggs, the Crusaders’ dynamite freshman point guard, along with leading the team in scoring with 18 points per game, is also the team’s top rebounder (9.3 rpg).
That’s a testament to Scruggs’ tenacity on the court, but it’s also a sign that the Crusaders have a void in the front court.
I wouldn’t count Trinity out, though.
The Crusaders have won three of the last four NCISAA 1-A state titles, taking the championship in 2015, 2013 and 2012.
Northwood won the 2014 title, meaning Fayetteville’s been the home of that 1-A trophy for four straight years.
The Crusaders’ losses this year have come against Providence Day, a two-loss 3-A private school, and 4-A public schools East Wake and Raleigh Leesville Road, each of which also has two losses.
Northwood Temple is responsible for Trinity’s other two losses. The Eagles are easily the team to beat as the postseason approaches.
But I’d love to see a Northwood and Trinity contest for a third time in the state playoffs, a scenario that unbelievably hasn’t happened since the two teams have owned the 1-A title dating back to 2012.
An early-round meeting is possible, given the number of other quality teams like Burlington School, Ridgecroft and Halifax that will surely fill the bracket.
I’m holding out hope for a championship meeting between the two at host school Ravenscroft on Feb. 20.
