Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
The Northern Guilford Nighthawks used a dominant third-quarter explosion to secure the NCHSAA Class 6A state title, defeating Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford Bulldogs 62–52 on Thursday night.
Playing before a raucous home crowd, the Nighthawks overcame a sluggish start and a halftime deficit to capture the crown, finishing a remarkable 2025-26 campaign at the top of North Carolina’s highest classification.
The first half belonged to Terry Sanford. The Bulldogs utilized an aggressive defensive scheme to keep Northern Guilford off-balance, holding the Nighthawks to just 11 points in the opening frame. By halftime, Terry Sanford held a 28–23 lead, leaving the Guilford County faithful anxious as the Bulldogs seemed poised to spoil the Nighthawks’ home-court advantage.
Whatever was said in the Northern Guilford locker room at halftime worked. The Nighthawks emerged for the third quarter looking like a completely different team, outscoring the Bulldogs 20–13 to snatch the lead for good.
The turnaround was sparked by junior standout Leena McField, who logged a team-high 24 minutes and finished with 15 points. McField was a force on the glass, pulling down 7 rebounds and showcasing a veteran composure that steady the Nighthawks during Terry Sanford’s late-game press.
Providing the perfect complement was freshman sensation Aliyah Settle. Despite her youth, Settle played 16 high-stakes minutes, finishing with 12 points and matching McField with 8 big rebounds. Her ability to finish through contact was a major factor in Northern’s 19-point fourth-quarter flurry.
The Nighthawks’ victory was a masterclass in team basketball. Anaya Pearley provided the perimeter spark, hitting 7 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. In her final high school game, Georgia Lewis contributed 5 points and 7 rebounds, providing the interior toughness needed to neutralize the Bulldogs’ post players. Northern Guilford dominated the boards, finishing with 33 total rebounds, led by the trio of McField, Settle, and Lewis.
As the clock ticked down in the fourth, Northern Guilford’s defense tightened, limiting Terry Sanford to just 11 points in the final period. The Nighthawks went 11-for-25 from the free-throw line over the course of the game, doing just enough to stave off the Bulldogs’ desperate comeback attempts.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 62–52, sparking a court-storming celebration at Northern Guilford. For a team that has been building toward this moment all season, the 6A trophy is a testament to their resilience and determination.
