MINT HILL, NC – On Tuesday night at North Mecklenburg High School, the Independence Lady Patriots’ basketball season came to an end in the first round of the state basketball tournament. with a 63-45 loss to the North Mecklenburg Lady Vikings.

The Lady Patriots with a 19-7 record finished third in the Southwestern 4A Conference.  During the conference tournament, the Lady Patriots knocked off the number one seeded Providence Panthers and played Charlotte Catholic for the tournament title.  This is the third consecutive year that  Lauren Galvani coached basketball team has made the state playoffs.

Against the Lady Vikings, sophomore Kaylee Carson led the Lady Patriots with 18 points.  Freshman Kamryn Kitchen added 10 points.  Senior Tamia Burgess scored  7 points.  Sophomore Chloe Moss had 6 points, and Lola Cabaniss-Ali finished the night with 2 points.

As the season closes, Independence and the Lady Patriots say good-bye to four seniors:  Midori Walkup, Kaila Ingram, Tamia Burgess, and Jennifer Stancil.

Independence           11  13  10  11  –  45

North Mecklenburg   20  16  16  11  –  63