Watauga's boys' basketball team will open the state 4-A playoffs Monday at East Gaston.

The Pioneers finished the season with a 9-13 regular-season record, 10-14 when the Northwestern Conference Tournament records are included, and is seeded ninth in the West Sectional. East Gaston is the eighth seed and is 10-13 overall.

The winner would face either 16th-seeded South Caldwell (10-13) or No. 1 seeded Charlotte Olympic, which is 24-0 this season.

Ashe County (22-2), which was surprised by Wilkes Central in the Mountain Valley Conference Tournament final, was still named the No. 1 seed in the 2-A West Sectional. The Huskies host Maiden (9-13) in the first round.

The other Northwestern Conference representative, Alexander Central, is seeded fourth. The Cougars (18-5) host East Mecklenburg (13-10). Former NWC member McDowell (17-6) is the fifth seed and hosts No. 12 seed West Mecklenburg (3-20).

In the 3-A West Sectional, No. 2 seed Hickory (21-3), fresh off its victory over Alexander Central in the NWC tournament final, hosts No. 15-seed East Henderson (7-16). St. Stephens (14-10) is an eighth seed and hosts ninth-seeded Gastonia Hunter Huss (12-10).

Fred T. Foard (13-10 grabbed a 12th seed and plays at No. 5 Enka (13-11). Former NWC member Morganton Freedom (21-2) is the No. 1 seed in the sectional and hosts No. 16 Belmont South Point (12-8).

Former NWC program East Burke (17-7) plays at Wilkes Central (19-3) in the 2-A sectional. Wilkes Central is a seventh seed, while East Burke is a 10th. West Caldwell, (15-5) which beat Watauga in Gamewell earlier this season, is a No. 5 seed and hosts 12th-seeded Newton-Conover (15-9).

Avery did not make the field.

All records are from the regular season and do not include conference tournament marks.

 

NCHSAA 4-A West Sectional

All games are scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m., unless there is a doubleheader. Then the first game begins at 6:30 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Records do not include conference tournament games:

 (16) South Caldwell (9-14) at No. 1 Charlotte Olympic

(9) Watauga at (8) East Gaston (10-13)

(12) West Mecklenburg (3-20) at (5) McDowell (17-6)

(13) East Mecklenburg (13-10) at (4) Alexander Central (18-5)

(11) Charlotte Myers Park (15-9) at (6) North Mecklenburg (20-4)

(10) Charlotte Mallard Creek (16-6) at T.C. Roberson (15-8)

(15) Charlotte Vance (13-10) at (2) South Mecklenburg (20-4)

 

NCHSAA 3-A West Sectional

All games are scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m., unless there is a doubleheader. Then the first game begins at 6:30 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Records do not include conference tournament games:

 (16) Belmont South Point (12-8) at (1) Freedom (21-2)

(9) Gastonia Hunter Huss (12-10) at (8) St. Stephens (14-10)

(12) Fred T. Foard (13-10) at (5) Enka (13-11)

(14) R-S Central (10-12) at (3) Gastonia Forestview (17-5)

(11) Gastonia Ashbrook (15-7) at (6) Asheville (16-6)

(10) Lawndale Burns (7-12) at (7) Franklin (16-8)

(15) East Henderson (7-16) at (2) Hickory (21-3)

 

NCHSAA 2-A West Sectional

All games are scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m., unless there is a doubleheader. Then the first game begins at 6:30 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Records do not include conference tournament games:

(16) Maiden (9-13) at (1) Ashe County (22-2)

(9) Canton Pisgah (18-6) at (8) Shelby (16-5)

(12) Newton-Conover (15-9) at (5) West Caldwell (15-5)

(13) North Henderson (8-14) at (4) Lincolnton (17-4)

(14) C.D. Owen (4-18) at (3) Smoky Mountain (18-3)

(11) Polk County (14-10) at (6) Mountain Heritage (14-9)

(10) East Burke (17-7) at (7) Wilkes Central (19-3)

(15) Draughn (14-10) at (2) East Rutherford (20-3)