On Tuesday March 4th, Green Level took down Clayton 62-47 in the Sweet 16 of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs. The Gators led the way early jumping to a 17-5 lead. Clayton proceeded to go on an 8-0 run. The game was 21-19 with 1 minute left in the 2nd quarter but Sr. Isaac Ericksen went on a 5-0 personal run with a breakaway dunk and a three. Green Level held fast to their lead, extending it to 9 at the end of the 3rd. The lead would end up growing to 19 with 2 minutes to go and the Gators ran away with the victory.
The superstar trio of Ericksen, Eatman, and Manhertz combined for 39 points. Manhertz added 8 rebounds and 8 assists too. The X-Factor in this game was Jr. Andrew Schall. He had 2 layups in transition and hit 2 threes which added momentum. He was hustling around the court and diving for loose balls, being a spark plug off the bench and a tone setter for the Gators’ effort. Jr. Tyson Miller was a defensive anchor for the Gators, limiting Clayton’s big men from getting in a rhythm. He finished the game with 8 points and 5 rebounds.
The Gators will travel to Wilmington on Friday, to take on the #1 seed New Hanover. The Wildcats are led by Sr. Rodmik Allen, he averages 17.5 PPG, 5.7 APG and 3.1 SPG. Sr. Nolan Billings is also a key contributor with 10.2 PPG and 6.4 PPG. New Hanover is 28-2 this season, suffering losses to Lake Norman and Clayton. The Wildcats play extremely hard and they wear their opponents down. They average 14 offensive rebounds and 15 steals per game.
I asked Ericksen what the key to winning this game would be, he said “We have to take care of the basketball and secure offensive rebounds. We can’t give them 2nd chances.”
The Gators look to avenge their Elite 8 loss to Richmond last year, and make it to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Gators need to use their size and talent to their advantage. New Hanover will certainly have a huge crowd and a crazy atmosphere, Green Level will have to weather the storm and zone out the distractions.
