Men’s
The SWAC Conference Championship Game was an exciting one. The Green Level Men’s Basketball team faced off against Holly Springs in the conference championship. They came out victorious, winning 64-57 over their season-long rivals.
This marks the first time in Green Level history that the men’s basketball team has won the conference tournament. It is especially impressive to achieve that win over Holly Springs as Green Level was vengeful after a heartbreaking loss to Holly earlier in the season.
The top performers from the game included Trevor Manhertz with 28 points and Isaac Erickson with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The game was kept close for most of the time. Holly Springs got off to a 7-0 start. A push in the first quarter led by Isaac Erickson led them to get back into competition. Green Level led 37-31 at halftime, and the game was tied 45-45 at the end of the 3rd. An impressive 9-point run in the 4th quarter by Trevor Manhertz led Green Level to an 8-point lead with 2 minutes left.
After that, a series of free throws and defensive stops secured the win for Green Level. That win gives Green Level the 5th overall seed in the eastern NCHSAA men’s basketball playoffs when they face off against Southeast Raleigh in the first round at Green Level.
Southeast Raleigh is the #12 seed with a 14-12 record. Although they have good wins against notable teams such as #7 Knightdale. Green Level has the #5 seed and is ready for the incoming Bulldogs.
Trevor Manhertz elaborated more on this, “As long as we play at our own pace against a fast and physical team like SRHS (Southeast Raleigh High School), we should come out with the dub.” “Executing play and defense, along with doing the little things, are essential to coming out with the win.
The state playoffs are single-elimination, so it’s go big or go home.
Results from the first round of playoffs from the Men’s team. They took home the win 76-63 against Southeast Raleigh and will face Leesville this Friday at home.
Women’s
The Green Level women’s basketball team also had a tough fight for the SWAC title. They faced off against the conference dominators, Apex Friendship, and narrowly came up short 62-67. Though they came up short, they left it all on the court and stayed with Apex Friendship to the end.
This makes Green Level the runner-up for both regular season and conference tournament titles. Claiming an 18-9 record (11-3 in conference) and claiming the #17 seed in the state playoffs.
The game was kept within reach the whole time. Although Apex Friendship was pulling away up by 8 points with 2 minutes left in the game. However, a final push cut the lead down to 2 points, with an 8-2 run by Green Level. Although Apex Friendship made a series of free throws to take back the game.
The Green Level Women’s Basketball team will be on the road playing against the #16 seed Laney at 5:30 in Wilmington. Again, it’s the state playoffs, so it’s either win and advance or lose and go home.
Results from the Women’s game. They won on the road against Laney 52-27, this Friday they will play on the road again against Hoggard.
Good luck to both teams in the second round of playoffs.
