In a physical match-up, Unaka outlasted North Greene for a spot in a title game.
The No. 2 Rangers captured a 61-49 victory over the No. 3 Huskies in the District 1-A Semifinals on Saturday on Warrior Hill. With the win, Unaka advances to Tuesday’s Championship game against Hampton.
Points were hard to come by in the opening minutes before Aiden Walsh opened the scoring. Justius Walllin added a jumper before NG hit a 3-pointer, and the Rangers answered with a 5-0 run to take a 9-3 lead into the second quarter.
The teams traded shots to open the second before Walsh and Wallin sparked a 7-0 run capped by a Peyton Guess trey. John Hardin added four points late as the Rangers held a 27-16 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, the teams traded shots over the first four minutes before North Greene used an 11-0 run to tie the game at 36-36 with 3:08 left in the third. Hardin broke the stalemate with an old-fashioned 3-point play, and Wallin scored four straight points as Unaka maintained a 43-36 lead after three complete quarters.
In the final eight minutes, Unaka was able to keep North Greene at bay to secure the win.
Wallin led the Rangers with 19 points, while Hardin scored 16 points. Walsh scored nine points. Guess added six points.
Isaac Gaby led North Greene with 19 points.