Terry Sanford girls can't hang on in 3A state basketball final

WINSTON SALEM - "We'll be back," Coach Chris Goodman said postgame, "I'm already excited about what we're going to do this off season," he finished.

Three lead changes, 10 ties, but it was down to the last two minutes of the NCHSAA 3A State championship when Terry Sanford lost their spark and fell to West Rowan 62-54, ending their historic season 26-6.

It was a back-and-forth battle for the Bulldogs facing the defending champions, West Rowan, but the game got away down the stretch after a burst of shots were made by the Falcons.

The Bulldogs were great early on, going into halftime with a 29-27 lead, but began the third quarter flat and ridden with turnovers. Terry Sanford only scored nine points after intermission and things began to fall apart in the fourth, and experience began to show.

HOW THEY GOT THERE:Terry Sanford girls beat top-seed South Central, off to NCHSAA 3A state championship game

WE'LL BE BACK:Terry Sanford girls basketball has spicy mix of skilled veterans, 'Fab Four' freshmen

The Bulldogs' fourth quarter woes began after a West Rowan corner 3-pointer that swung the momentum and the Falcons poured on a 23-point final quarter to repeat as 3A State Champions.

Terry Sanford's Breonna Roaf took home the Most Outstanding Player award for the runner-up with a team-high 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Ameya Brown had 17 points, while Jaidiah Blake had nine points, and nine rebounds.