The Chapel Hill girls’ basketball team made it to the state Class AAA semifinals after defeating Beach, 55-50 on Feb. 26.

Head coach Christopher Long said this win was truly a team effort as multiple players stepped up, but ultimately Erica Jones was chosen as the highlight player.

This 5-foot-6 junior guard, according to Long, played a major role in the victory last week.

“In this last game, she really stepped up. Even though she fouled out, she made some huge key plays and got some key rebounds. She has been up and down, but this last game she really did an exceptional job,” said Long.

Jones currently averages 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.4 assists a night. She also shot 60 percent from the free throw line. Her best game of the season was on Feb. 15 against Douglass, as she finished the night with 23 points.

According to Long, Jones is a quiet leader for the Lady Panthers, or a “silent assassin” as he calls her, as she leads by example.

“She’s not a loud ‘rah, rah, rah’ person, but when she’s on, she’s on and you can tell by looking in her eyes,” Long said.

Jones has been on the varsity squad since her freshman year. In those three years, Long said she has made great progress.

Part of her progress includes her versatility on the court as she can move from a guard to a forward.

“She has become a more complete player. We’ve given her a chance to get inside and she’s done well. Her ball handling skills are great and her outside game has improved as well,” Long said.