Beating a conference opponent four times in one season is seems nearly impossible, but on Friday Riverside did just that as it topped Plymouth on the road 78-70 to win the NCHSAA 1-A sectional championship and move on to the District Round of the playoffs.

The Knights got an 18-point effort from star swingman Tremaine Anderson, while Ramelle Lanier, Trevon Rodgers and Marcus Freeman each scored 13 points to lift the No. 3 Knights (23-7) over Four Rivers Conference co-regular season champs, and No. 2 seed. Plymouth (18-6).

“The guys are excited. We have been talking a long time about getting to Fayettville (where the sectional round of the playoffs will be played), It’s been a goal for these guys,” Riverside coach Bobby Williams said. “To be able to beat a great program like Plymouth to advance makes it that much more special.”

The Knights where able to stay ahead of the Vikings for large stretches of the game, but the Vikings never let up.

“We had a 10-12 point lead on two or three occasions but Plymouth kept battling back,” Williams said. “I thought we turned it up defensively in the fourth … We were able to rebound a little better in the second half.”

The Knights took a slim 28-26 lead into halftime, but where able to create some distance with a strong third quarter effort.

“Coming out in the third quarter we were able to make a little run to go up by seven or eight points,” Williams said. “Ramelle Lanier hit a big three near the end of the third quarter to put us up 58-48.”

The Knights will find out who they will play next today as they await for the NCHSAA to reseed the remaining teams and create a playoff schedule.