BAYBORO — Michael Moore led a balanced Chatham Central attack Thursday night as the Bears stunned Pamlico 77-67 in second round action of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs.
The Bears, who had yet to return home after an opening round playoff victory over Ocracoke on the Outer Banks two nights earlier, got 23 points from Moore, improving to 15-9 on the season, before heading home for some much-needed rest.
Pamlico, which had advanced to the state championship game a season earlier, closed the season at 15-8.
Chatham Central trailed 48-43 entering the fourth quarter here Thursday evening before erupting for 34 points in the final eight minutes of action.
Lofton Dodson was a catalyst as the senior canned a pair of treys while scoring 14 points in the frame. Moore added 10, including six from the charity stripe. Jameious Degraffenreaidt also got into the action with five points, including a trey, and Lucas Skettich connected on five-of-six free throws down the stretch to help seal the win.
George Jones had six for the Hurricanes in the final quarter while Michael Pool added five, including a three-pointer.
In the early going, Moore had seven points in the first period and Jerious Cheek four as Chatham Central battled the hosts to an 11-all tie after one quarter of play.
Lamont Lewis collected six points in the second and Jahmere Miller and Lamont Murry chipped in four apiece as Pamlico used a 20-10 run to go up 31-21 at the break.
Cheek had five in the second for the locals but it wasn’t enough to keep the Bears from falling behind by double digits.
After the break, Lewis and Miller canned treys in the third for Pamlico, but Central would use five points, including a three-pointer, from Degraffenreaidt, and four points from Moore to draw within 48-43 heading into the fourth.
The Bears stunned the home crowd with its fourth quarter rally as the locals brought home the huge 77-67 second round win.
In addition to the game-high 23 by Moore, Chatham Central also received 17 points from Dodson, 12 from Cheek, 11 from Degraffenreaidt, and seven from Nall.
Pamlico was led by 17 from Jones while Miller chipped in 12, and Murray and Lewis 11 apiece.
Chatham Charter will battle Washington County Saturday evening in Plymouth in third round action.