The grudge match was set. Morganton Freedom (17-6; 9-2) and Alexander Central (21-4; 8-2) were playing for the Northwestern 3A/4A conference tournament championship. Freedom, coached by Clint Zimmerman, and Alexander Central, coached by Ed Willis, split during the regular season. Freedom lost to Alexander Central 59-42 back in January, but returned the favor by winning 80-62 just last week. Freedom came into the contest with the No. 1 seed and will advance to the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs, while Alexander Central came into the game with the No. 2 seed and will advance to the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.
The game was nip and tuck from start to end. There were multiple lead changes and the game wasn
