Eastern Wayne Cruises to First-Round Playoff Win Over Hertford County
Photos by: Delavisha Faison
GOLDSBORO,NC- Eastern Wayne left no doubt in their first-round matchup of the 2A NCHSAA Playoffs, dominating Hertford County 93-55 at home for their 13th straight win. The Warriors, conference champions of the 2A Neuse Conference, remained unbeaten in league play this season and improved to 21-4 overall.
The victory not only secured Eastern Wayne’s spot in the second round but also marked a major milestone for the program. This was the Warriors' first playoff win since the 2021-22 season and their first winning season since 2019-20, a testament to the team’s growth and resurgence under first-year head coach Cleveland Williams.
The win also avenged a first-round playoff loss to Hertford County nearly 17 years ago, when the Bears eliminated the Warriors 80-69 in 2008.
Bailey and Thomas Lead the Charge
Senior guard Michael Bailey put on a show, torching Hertford County for 29 points on 11-14 shooting, including 7-9 from the free-throw line. Bailey also contributed four steals and four assists in a well-rounded performance.
While Bailey dominated the scoring column, junior forward Charlie Thomas was relentless on the boards and playmaking front. Thomas tallied an impressive stat line with 18 points, 16 rebounds (including 8 offensive), 9 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Despite struggling from the free-throw line (4-11), his presence inside was a game-changer.
Eastern Wayne’s offensive balance extended beyond Bailey and Thomas. Isaiah Oates added 13 points on 5-12 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers while contributing 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. In total, 12 different Warriors got on the scoreboard in a true team effort.
Total Team Dominance
The Warriors were locked in offensively, shooting an efficient 55 percent from the field. While they left some points at the free-throw line (19-30), their work on the glass was nothing short of dominant. Eastern Wayne outrebounded Hertford County 47-9, including an eye-popping 23-1 advantage on the offensive boards.
Defensively, Eastern Wayne put relentless pressure on Hertford County, forcing mistakes and converting them into points. The Warriors racked up 10 steals and 5 blocks, making it difficult for the Bears to get anything going.
Staying Focused on the End Goal
Eastern Wayne head coach Cleveland Williams was pleased with how his team responded to the playoff atmosphere and emphasized a game-by-game mentality.
"I felt like my guys played well and with a sense of pride for school and community," Williams said. "They know what the end game is, and they competed well for it. We took care of the ball for the most part and forced them into a lot of situations to turn the ball over."
Williams' pregame message to his players was simple: stay locked in on the present task.
"To be 1-0 at the end of the game. We have a one-game-at-a-time mentality," he said. "Can’t get caught looking ahead!"
After the game, Williams reminded the team to enjoy the win but shift their focus quickly.
"Enjoy the win tonight, but come Wednesday morning our focus shifts towards Seaforth," he added.
Looking Ahead
As the No. 8 seed, Eastern Wayne will now prepare for a second-round matchup against No. 24 Seaforth (15-12), who pulled off an upset on the road against No. 9 Franklin Academy. The Warriors will once again host on Friday, looking to extend their winning streak and continue their deepest postseason run in years.
