By Brennan Waldorf
The Division I Region A basketball tournament kicked off Monday night Feb. 24. Both the Northampton girls and boys teams advanced in the single elimination tournament with the Lady Jackets seeded number four while the boys were seeded fifth.
The girls were given home court advantage and took advantage of it, beating fifth-seeded Mathews High School in Eastville, 48-45. The win advances the Jackets to the semifinals against top-seeded Lancaster High School. Northampton played at Lancaster at the beginning of the season and lost by 3. A revenge win over the Red Devils Feb. 26 would put the girls in the regional finals and stamp their ticket to the state tournament.
The Northampton Boys team was forced to travel after receiving the fifth seed but knocked off higher seeded Charles City High. The Jackets had previously lost to the Panthers by 1 point back in January but got the go-ahead win when it mattered on Monday night. The Jackets downed the Panthers 73-61 advancing to the semifinals against top-seeded Colonial Beach. A win over the Drifters on Feb. 26 will put the Jackets into the finals, automatically qualifying them for the state tournament.
The Jackets were led in scoring by sophomore Bradyn Washington with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 88% efficiency from the field. Ahmad Scarborough knocked down 75% of his shots, netting 19 points and recording three steals. Vonte Coston filled the stat sheet recording 17 points while also dishing seven assists and grabbing six rebounds.
Jeremiah Major led rebounding, tallying eight while also adding 4 points.
