by Chris Hunt

The Lake Norman Charter girls basketball season ended in the first round of the NCHSAA 1A state playoffs, one victory shy of its twentieth victory. The Knights earned a wild card entry after winning their play-in game against Wake Forest Franklin Academy, 52-42, at River Mill Academy in Graham, N.C., on Feb. 17, but fell to Gastonia Highland, 51-38, on Feb. 21.

In their final season in the Piedmont Athletic Conference, the Knights won their second consecutive conference title with a 10-0 mark. They also won the conference tournament. Junior point guard Jamie Williams led the team with 13.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.9 steals per game. Freshman center Ezzine Mbamalu topped the Knights with 12.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest. Lake Norman Charter will join the South Piedmont 1A/2A conference next season.