Holly Springs’ girls basketball kept its standout season going with a 53-41 win over Harnett County’s Overhills High in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A playoffs.

Holly Springs never faced a deficit throughout the game. Brianna Tate led the way for Holly Springs as she scored 26 points. Samantha Weaver also posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

“We played hard and with energy, ” Tate said.

It was a historic night for Tate as she surpassed 1,000 career points.

“It makes me feel good because I did it in just three years; because I played JV my freshman year,” Tate said.

Holly Springs’ defense was relentless in the win for the Golden Hawks as they were able to take a five-point lead in the first quarter and extend it to a 16-point lead going into halftime.

“We finally got together and bounced back from our last loss against Panther Creek,” Holly Springs coach Peace Easton said. “It was a turning moment for us because it was probably our worst game of the season ... So I told them that we basically needed to do what we didn’t do that game, and that was to penetrate the basket, rebounding, boxing out and taking care of the ball.”

Overhills had three players in double digits as Jaylen Smalls recorded 14 points, Asia Green with 13 points, and Alexis Geans had 11 points.

Overhills faced as much as a 19-point deficit at the end of the third quarter, but came alive in the fourth quarter with a late push but were only able to cut the lead to 12.

“The girls gave a great effort,” Overhills coach Derrick Austin said. “Holly Springs’ Tate is awesome. She’s a tough competitor and if she’s open, she’s knocking it down. We just didn’t have an answer for her.”

Overhills finished the season 12-12 overall.

“It’s been a battle all season, but I just know they gave everything they had tonight and I’m just proud of them,” Austin said.