The first round of the NCHSAA playoffs blew through Monday night with little fan fare. A few close games and some LaxNumbers.com "upsets" that really weren't unexpected.
Wednesday's round two match-ups tell a very different story. Let's break down some of triangle team's match ups:
Girl's Bracket
EAST
Wake Forest vs Chapel Hill - The Cougars and Tigers square off for the 2nd time this season. In the first match up the Cougs came out on top 22-3. That's a big gap to overcome.
Friendship vs Holly Springs - Round 3 of this SWAC battle is youth vs experience all over again. The gap between game 1 and game two shrunk from 9 goals to 2. This game will come down to which goalie can make some key saves. The over on this: 27.5.
East CH vs Topsail - The Pirates have proven themselves the new queens of the beach, but how much will that matter when they travel inland to face Las Gatas? East has to be careful not to look ahead to round 3 against Cardinal Gibbons.
Gibbons vs Laney - Gibbons has a bunch of talent all over the board. The Crusaders shine in the playoffs and should be set for the region semis next week.
WEST
Green Hope vs Myers Park - The young falcons have celebrated some unexpected success this spring. A long bus trip to Charlotte will put them up against their biggest test of the season. A win would bring them home next week.
Boys 1/2/3A
Topsail vs Chapel Hill - The Pirates have faced big time opponents this season and both these teams are battle tested. Coach Sliwa was a long time triangle coach and knows what to expect. Tigers come in on a 6-game win streak including rival ECH.
Jacksonville vs East Chapel Hill - ECH is a definite favorite in this one. They bring a lot of fire power that may be too much for the Cardinals to handle.
Northwood vs Orange - The Chargers got the better of Orange in a regular season match up a couple weeks ago, but the Panthers are a scrappy bunch who's play is on the rise. Expect this one to be much closer than the previous outing.
Boys 4A
West
Jordan vs Hough - The Falcons have a toll order on their hands as Hough makes the trip to Durham. Faceoffs and goalie play will be big in this game. Getting stops could be a challenge for both teams.
East
Broughton vs Ashley - The Caps welcome Ashley to the big city for this match up. They've seen firepower and can bring their own as well. Ashley is equally tested and talented. This could be a close game.
Hoggard vs Holly Springs - Traditionally the Vikings do well when triangle teams come to call. Holly Springs toughed out a gutty win on Monday. High pressure defense is their calling card, but they will have to stay out of the box if they want to move past Hoggard.
Fuquay-Varina vs Pinecrest - It's very hard to beat a team 3 times in a season, but that's what FV is looking to do against Pinecrest. The Patriots looked aggressive and hungry against Sanderson on Monday. Fuquay has waited a long time to make the playoffs and aren't ready to bow out just yet. Probably second best game of the night!
Gibbons vs Middle Creek - We are back at the marquee match up that has highlighted the last 3 state tournaments. The Gibbons defense is absolutely suffocating. Middle Creek will need to handle that pressure and finish when the opportunities arise. Transition will be fast and furious in this game. O/U 18.5
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