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The North Carolina High School Athletic Association men’s and women’s 1A basketball championships will be played Saturday at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill. The women tip off at noon and the men take the floor at 2:30 p.m. News 14 Carolina’s Ryan Welch breaks down both match-ups.

Williamston Lady Tigers (29-0) vs. Bishop McGuinness Lady Villains (22-7)

The Lady Tigers of Williamston High School have a 29-0 record and a leading scorer who's racked up more than 3,000 career points but this is their first trip to the state finals in 15 years.

“It’s pretty big for our town,” said Williamston head coach Hughes Barber. “We’ve had a lot of success in other sports and it’s good to bring a team up here for basketball with a chance to win.”

If Katie Paschal plays like she did in Saturday's regional final win over South Robeson, the Tigers could wrap up a perfect campaign. She was the MVP of the regional and averages 33 points a game.

“She’s a joy to coach,” Barber said. “She’s the best girls’ basketball player I’ve seen or been around. It’s my first year, but it’s been a gift.”

Standing in the way of that 30-0 record is Bishop McGuinness, owners of a time share at the far end of the brackets. Thanks to a 20-point win in the regional final, the Lady Villains are shooting for their fifth consecutive state title, but this year's run has been anything but a formality.

“We didn’t win our conference this year and we didn’t win our conference tournament this year,” head coach Brian Robinson said. “We had to go on the road and win a couple of state playoff games.

“It’s been a different path this year. We got back because of a lot of hard work.”

Despite losing eight of the best 10 players from last year's title team, Megan Buckland, the reigning MVP from last year's championship game, is back in the fold.

“Megan is the perfect leader for this team. She doesn’t yell or scream at the girls; she’s very patient with them,” said Robinson. “She understood that she had to put the team on her back the first half of the season.”

Goldsboro Cougars (23-7) vs. Monroe Redhawks (31-1)

On the men's side of the draw, a revolving door of coaches has left Goldsboro fans dizzy for another title run. Patrick Reynell is in his first year at the helm, and he was smart enough to let Rasean Brewington take over in the regional final triumph over Pender.

“He’s just a special kid; a special player,” Reynell said. “He’s someone who can play a post position or a perimeter position.”

While the cougars stroll to Chapel Hill with a 23-7 record, the notion of getting to this point was a little dicey when they started 4-4. But with some key guys returning from a playoff run on the gridiron, Goldsboro's season turned on a dime.

“When we got our football players back, I think it was six games in, it was kind of like restarting the season all over again.”

The football theme is also paramount to the success at Monroe High School, where Johnny Sowell is in charge on the gridiron and hardwood. One guy he's leaned heavily on in both sports is Isaac Blakeney, who's heading to Duke on a football scholarship, but who also paced the Redhawks to a 15-point win over Hendersonville in the regional final.

“He’s big and we hope his best game is going to be Saturday,” Sowell said. “If he can continue to do what he’s done, our chances are really good.”

Sowell, who played on the 1980 championship team is hoping Saturday marks a return to glory at his alma mater.

What we’re trying to get them to understand is that when you’re coming here, you’re coming here for business,” said Sowell. “The pleasure part will take care of itself when it’s over.”