Girls State Tournament: Nitro rolls Grafton to return to Class AAA title game

Charleston – No. 1 Nitro led wire-to-wire Friday afternoon, toppling No. 4 Grafton 65-55 in the Class AAA semifinals in the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

The victory sends defending champion Nitro back to the Class AAA title game for the third time in five seasons. Awaiting the Wildcats is No. 2 Wayne, a team the Wildcats beat 30-25 earlier this season.

All-stater Natalie Smith led the Wildcats in their romp, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the victory. Karson Jones added 13 points as well.

Hadley Horne led Grafton with 25 points while Jay Ray netted 12.