RALEIGH -- For the second straight season, the girls basketball teams from Millbrook and Green Hope met in the third round of the playoffs for the right to move on to the 4-A East regionals.
But this time, the game was at Millbrook.
And this time, Green Hope didn't have Kristen Gaffney.
Those factors, plus a stalwart defensive effort, sent Millbrook (28-1) to a 48-39 win in a showdown between the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the N&O rankings.
"It's a little bit of redemption," Millbrook coach Chris East said. He then quickly added, "I hate that Gaffney couldn't play."
The area leader in scoring (30 ppg), Gaffney rolled her right ankle in a second-round win over Hillside. She missed most of that one-point victory and was in street clothes Friday, still hobbling on the ankle.
Alex Tomlinson led Millbrook with 13 points while adding four steals and three assists. She also had the unenviable task of keeping Green Hope sophomore point guard Ashley Williams out of the lane.
Williams had 15 points, six rebounds, four steals and six assists - but the Falcons couldn't cut the deficit any lower than two possessions after the third quarter.
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Nearby 2A prep softball rivals North Johnston and Wilson Beddingfield played the ultimate grudge match Saturday afternoon, double-time style. 
Holly Springs seniors Jenna Firestein and Kristen Krebs knew Saturday’s contest against Fayetteville Jack Britt would be their final home game as members of the Golden Hawks softball team. 
Green Hope’s perfect season is snatched away by Charlotte Hough in the final 12 minutes of the state final at N.C. State’s Dail Soccer Field in a 2-1 finish. 
The Holly Springs Golden Hawks softball team has had an exciting past week of playing close games. On Friday, however, the Hawks fourth close game in a week ended in a 3-2 loss to Britt, as the Buccaneers rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score and then won in the eighth to even the series at one game apiece. 
The Green Hope High girls soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the country, but won’t reach its goal unless it beats Hough in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A championships on Saturday.
Follow the game on our Twitter account, @prepsnow or get a Twitter feed at our high school blog, Preps Now. 
