Sectional finals preview

The Shelby and Crest boy’s basketball teams have established themselves as legit contenders.

They have passed the necessary tests during regular season play, conference tournaments and two rounds of the playoffs.

Up next, the sectional finals — the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s version of the Sweet 16. Should they advance tonight, the Chargers and Lions will be three wins away from state championship glory.

But solid opponents await tonight in the third round.

After defeating 13 of its last 16 by double figures, Shelby (23-4) — the defending West Regional champs — travels to Asheville Erwin High to take on Newton-Conover (22-5) at 8.

The two teams enter the game as double-digit winners in both of their playoff contests, but on paper the key matchup will be Shelby’s balanced offense against the Red Devils’ stingy defense. Paced by the post scoring of Eric Mayo (19 ppg/playoffs), Bradley Ager (16) and Tim Gullate (12.5), Shelby has put up 80 per contest in the playoffs.

Newton-Conover, the top seed from the Catawba Valley Conference, has given up an average of just 48 in its two wins.

Crest (21-7) has a much shorter trip for the sectionals as it takes on McDowell (22-6) at Gardner-Webb’s Paul Porter Arena at 6:30.

Both teams are battle-tested in the playoffs, especially after the second round. The Chargers turned up their intensity in the second half against a solid West Mecklenburg squad and claimed a 77-67 triumph. Bruce Smith (28 points, eight assists) was huge from the point for Crest as the Hawks keyed on Dion Malachi (13 points, 10 rebounds) down low.

Meanwhile, the Titans survived a nail-biter at home — defeating a surging Butler team 58-57. McDowell is the regular season and tournament champion of the Northwesetern Conference.