Northwood’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have both had historic runs this year, especially in the playoff season.
“Our team worked hard throughout this entire season to get to this point,” says Northwood senior and varsity women’s basketball player Jillian McNaught. “We always gave it our best, whether we were running drills in practice or coming back from 19 points down in a playoff game. We never took days off. I think there was a collective desire in our team to use each day we were together to improve. Our motto for this season was ‘Stronger Together’ and I think we all really took that to heart. We played each day like it was our last, and with the pandemic, there was a chance that each might have been. With this mentality, we fought hard for every game we played and I believe that is what ultimately got us to the Final Four.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams made it to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) Final Four for 3A schools. This achievement makes Northwood one of only three schools in the past three years to have both men’s and women’s basketball teams in the Final Four.
“It is such an exciting opportunity to have gotten this far, especially during my last year,” says Northwood senior and varsity women’s basketball player Micah “Rae” McClarty. “I truly believe both the men’s and women’s teams deserve to be here, as we have dedicated so much time to each other and the program, and we are a special group of people. We all have the burning desire to win.”
On Tuesday, March 2, the Northwood Women’s Basketball Team lost 54-44 to Asheboro High School. However, the team’s appearance in the state semifinal is the first of any women’s sport at Northwood.
“Getting this far in the tournament, especially during my senior year, has been such an incredible experience,” says McNaught. “I feel very grateful to have been a part of this team and to have had such success throughout this season.”
The men’s basketball team, however, won their semifinal game against West Carteret High School, making them the Eastern Regional Champions.
“It feels great to have made it this far, but the job is not done,” says Northwood senior and varsity men’s basketball player Richard “Troy” Arnold. “We have to keep on pushing and working to accomplish the main goal, which is a state championship.”
On Saturday, March 6, the men’s basketball team competed in the NCHSAA Championship against Weddington High School. The game starts at 10:30 and is available for streaming on NFHS Network.
