Staff report

HAYS — North Rowan’s girls basketball team upset North Wilkes, 47-46, in a second-round 2A state playoff game on Thursday.
The 12th-seeded Cavaliers (19-7) won a second-round game for the first time since 2005. Fifth-seeded North Wilkes is 26-3.
“We played really hard and our defense was outstanding,” North coach Brian Lytton said. “Defense is how we have to win games right now.”
North Wilkes was considerably taller, but North Rowan was quicker.
“We were able to use that quickness,” Lytton said. “When we stopped shooting 3-pointers and started driving, we got a small lead. Then we were able to spread them out some.”
Brianna White led the Cavaliers with 13 points. Special Washington and Aliyah Farmer scored 12 apiece, and Aundrea Godfrey helped out with seven.
Emily Phillips scored 15 for the Vikings, while Allison Livengood had 14.
Down a single point, North Wilkes had the last shot, but missed a shot in the paint. North Wilkes got the rebound, and North Rowan committed a foul just before the horn. Fortunately, it was only the fifth foul of the half on the Cavaliers, and the game was over.
“We played very disciplined defense in the second half and stayed out of foul trouble,” Lytton said. “It was a really good win, very exciting at the end.”
North Rowan won’t find out its next opponent until Mountain Heritage and East Burke tangle in a game that was postponed to tonight. North Rowan will travel to No. 4 Mountain Heritage on Saturday or host No. 13 East Burke.

NORTH ROWAN (47) — White 13, Farmer 12, Washington 12, Godfrey 7, Oglesby 2, Allen 1, Lytton, Russell.
NORTH WILKES (46) — Phillips 15, Livengood 14, Billings 8, Young 4, Saunders 3, Wood 2.

N. Rowan 13 6 11 17 — 47
N. Wilkes 8 14 11 13 — 46