HICKORY — Alexander Central center Alek Ayer's stickback with 2.1 seconds left gave the Cougars a 45-44 victory Wednesday in the second semifinal game of the Northwestern Conference Tournament at Dave Craft Gym at Hickory High School.

No. 2 seeded Alexander Central (20-5) plays No. 1 seed Hickory in Craft Gym at 8 p.m. Friday in the finals of the tournament. Hickory holds a 2-1 lead in the season series with Alexander Central. All three of the games were decided on final shots of the game.

Hickory reached the finals with a 64-53 win over No. 4 seed Watauga Wednesday night.

Alexander Central led just two times against third-seeded St. Stephens (15-11). The Indians' Jordan James made a foul shot that put St. Stephens in front 4-40 with 53.1 seconds left in the game.

Alexander Central got a clutch 3-point basket from Cameron Gant with 34.1 seconds left. The Cougars got a stop when St. Stephens' Drew Starkey could not convert a layup with 12.1 seconds to go. Alexander Central's Tyler Crouch missed a stickback on a Gant miss.

Ayer got the rebound and put the ball back in the basket.

Chris Hefner led St. Stephens with 16 points.

 

GIRLS' TOURNAMENT

HICKORY — Top-seeded Hickory cruised to a 72-48 victory over fourth-seeded Fred T. Foard in the semifinals of the NWC tournament Tuesday.

Hickory, ranked No. 1 in 3-A, plays No. 3 seed South Caldwell, a 39-35 winner over No. 2 seeded Alexander Central. That game is at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Dave Craft Gym at Hickory High School.

Hickory took an 11-0 lead, but Foard pulled to 17-14 and then 27-25 by halftime. Hickory went on a 12-0 run in the second half to pull away.

South Caldwell got single foul shots from Shaina Sams and Leah Sherrill to put South Caldwell up 37-35 with 4.8 seconds left to play. South's Courtney Wood intercepted a long inbounds pass and was fouled

Wood's two foul shots with 1.1 seconds left in the game clinched the victory for South Caldwell.