Taking a look at Hunter Huss' regional opponent

SCOUTING HIBRITEN

Record: 19-9

Playoff seed: Northwestern No. 2

Top players: Darius Lipford, F, Sr., 6-4 (15.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg); Josh Dula, G, Sr., 6-1 (16.4 ppg, 5 apg); Cody Palmer, C, Sr., 6-8 (12 ppg, 6 rpg); Kaylen Pearson, G/F, Jr., 6-1

Notes: This team is full of football players, led by Lipford, a UNC signee and 2009 Shrine Bowl linebacker. Dula, a defensive back, was the Northwestern Conference defensive player of the year. The Panthers played football into Thanksgiving, explaining the basketball team’s slow start. Hibriten thrives on tight man-to-man defense but coach Roger Burgess said he can mix it up to keep opponents off balance. Dula is the team’s best shooter.

Path to the regional: Hibriten beat Forestview 78-74 in overtime in the first round, knocking off the team that shared the Big South Conference regular-season title with Hunter Huss. The Panthers then defeated North Buncombe 80-72 and Burns 61-59.