Rolesville advances to regional championship for first time, holds off Chapel Hill in 4A playoffs
For the first time in school history, Rolesville is sending its girls basketball team to a regional championship game.
Rolesville defeated Chapel Hill 50-44 on Friday night in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs thanks in part to a 25-point performance by Caitlyn Jones.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Rolesville built a 12-point lead — its largest of the game — but Chapel Hill chipped away in the final minutes.
A technical foul gave Chapel Hill a chance to cut the deficit to six points with 2:17 left, as Rolesville led 45-39. The Rams left the door open for Chapel Hill because of missed free throws. Rolesville was just 3-of-13 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
At the 1:15 mark, Camryn Lee fouled out of the game for Rolesville. Jay Green split a pair of free throws for the Tigers, drawing Chapel Hill within 45-40.
That was the closest Chapel Hill got though. Ultimately, two free throws from Taliya Rowe with 38 seconds left helped Rolesville seal the win. Jones split another pair for free throws with 27.2 seconds left to put the Rams up 50-44 — which became the final score.
Offense was hard to come by early in the game. Chapel Hill's first field goal didn't come until the 5:06 mark, but Rolesville only built a 7-4 lead. The Rams led 17-14 after one quarter.
Roles were revered at the start of the second quarter. Rolesville went nearly three minutes without scoring to start the second quarter, and Chapel Hill briefly led 18-17. The Rams went on a 6-0 run after that though, and Rolesville never trailed again as they held Chapel Hill scoreless for nearly five minutes in the second quarter.
Rolesville led 26-21 at halftime.
It was in the third quarter where Rolesville began to create some separation. Laila Lewis hit a three-point basket as the quarter expired and the Rams led 45-35 going into the fourth quarter.
That lead was important as Rolesville struggled from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, but the Rams did just enough to hold off Chapel Hill and claim the win.
Jones' 25-point performance led all scorers in the game. Rowe added 11 points for the Rams, and Lewis finished with nine points.
Ashton Beale led Chapel Hill in scoring with 14 points. Laynie Smith finished with 11 points and Eva Smith posted 10 points.
Rolesville is now 25-5 on the season and will play in the eastern regional championship game at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem next week. The Rams will face Hoggard in the game, with a trip to the 4A state championship on the line.
Chapel Hill's season ends with the loss to Rolesville. The Tigers posted a 25-5 record.
