It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Advance, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
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“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Tanglewood Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 801 Southern Kitchen and Pancake House or visit Biltmore, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Advance, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Advance, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Advance, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – At the conclusion of day one at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, five members of the Pack are still alive. After session two, two advanced in their championship brackets, three moved into the consolation bracket, and three ended their time at the tournament.Vince Robinson and Isaac Tru...
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – At the conclusion of day one at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, five members of the Pack are still alive. After session two, two advanced in their championship brackets, three moved into the consolation bracket, and three ended their time at the tournament.
Vince Robinson and Isaac Trumble each went 2-0 on the day to advance to the quarterfinals in session three tomorrow.
Robinson made his NCAA debut with a major decision over No. 29 seed Joey Cruz of Iowa, followed by a second round nail-biter at 125 lbs. The redshirt-freshman advanced to the quarterfinals by securing a takedown in the final seconds after trailing the entirety of his match to No. 13 seed Marc-Anthony McGowan of Princeton.
Next up tomorrow, Robinson will face No. 12 seed Dean Peterson of Rutgers who pinned the reigning national champion (Richie Figueroa of Arizona State) in the second round today. Robinson and Peterson previously met at the beginning of the season when competing at the Jersey Jostle, which resulted in a win by injury default for the member of the Pack.
Trumble's NCAA heavyweight debut included two matches over conference foes with an opening round technical fall over No. 26 seed Peter Ming of Stanford and a decision victory over No. 10 seed and 2025 ACC Champion Dayton Pitzer of Pittsburgh.
Later on in day two of competition, Trumble will face No. 2 seed Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State. The two have previously met twice this season already, Hendrickson won both matches.
Two seniors for NC State concluded their careers in a Wolfpack singlet Thursday night, Kai Orine and Derek Fields both went 0-2 on the day to be eliminated from the tournament.
Orine faced the No. 7 seed, Nic Bouzakis of Ohio State, and No. 10 seed and 2024 All-American, Dylan Shawver of Rutgers. Fields faced No. 4 seed Terrell Barraclaugh of Utah Valley and No. 20 seed Gunner Filipowicz of Army West Point.
In the 149 pound weight class, redshirt-freshman Koy Buesgens loss both of his matches to end his time at his first NCAA Championships. In the morning session he fell to No. 13 seed and 2023 All-American Dylan D'Emilio of Ohio State by decision and lost to No. 4 seed Paniro Johnson of Iowa State in overtime.
RESULTS Session 1 Results Champ. Round 1 (4) Vincent Robinson (NCSU) major decision (29) Joey Cruz (Iowa) 12-1 (7) Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) won by fall (26) Kai Orine (NCSU) 2:12 (13) Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) decision (20) Koy Buesgens (NCSU) 5-1 (11) Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) decision (22) Ed Scott (NCSU) 5-2 (SV-1) (4) Terrell Barraclough (Utah Valley) tech fall Derek Fields (NCSU) 15-0 (7:00) (14) Matthew Singleton (NCSU) decision (19) Jared Simma (Northern Iowa) 4-2 (15) Dylan Fishback (NCSU) decision (18) Maximus Hale (Pennsylvania) 10-3 (7) Isaac Trumble (NCSU) tech fall (26) Peter Ming (Stanford) 18-2 (6:12)
Session 2 Results Champ. Round 2 (4) Vince Robinson (NC State) decision (13) Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) 6-4 (3) Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) major decision Matty Singleton (NC State) 15-3 (2) Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) major decision (15) Dylan Fishback (NC State) 14-3 (7) Isaac Trumble (NC State) decision (10) Dayton Pitzer (Pittsburgh) 5-2
Cons. Round 1 (10) Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) decision (26) Kai Orine (NC State) 4-1 (SV-1) (4) Paniro Johnson (Iowa State) decision (20) Koy Buesgens (NC State) 2-1 (TB-1) (22) Ed Scott (NC State) tech fall (27) Grigor Cholakyan (Stanford) 19-3 (6:08) (20) Gunner Filipowicz (Army West Point) decision (29) Derek Fields (NC State) 9-8
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A bill that would eliminate North Carolina’s 2030 carbon-cutting deadline and expand utilities' ability to charge customers for future power plants advanced in the state Senate on Tuesday, despite concerns about risks to ratepayers and the state’s climate goals.The proposal would remove a key provision of House Bill 951, North Carolina’s landmark 2021 energy law, which requires utilities to cut carbon emissions 70% from 2005 levels by 2030...
A bill that would eliminate North Carolina’s 2030 carbon-cutting deadline and expand utilities' ability to charge customers for future power plants advanced in the state Senate on Tuesday, despite concerns about risks to ratepayers and the state’s climate goals.
The proposal would remove a key provision of House Bill 951, North Carolina’s landmark 2021 energy law, which requires utilities to cut carbon emissions 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. It would also expand the use of Construction Work in Progress, or CWIP — a mechanism first authorized under a 2007 law — to allow utilities like Duke Energy to begin charging customers for nuclear and natural gas plants before those plants are completed or generating power.
State Sen. Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, a former Duke Energy president and the bill’s lead sponsor, said removing the 2030 target would help protect ratepayers from rising costs and give utilities more flexibility to build large, reliable power plants.
"This bill is about lowering costs and protecting ratepayers," Newton said, calling the 2030 deadline “arbitrary” and arguing that growing demand requires a mix of baseload power such as nuclear and natural gas.
Newton cited estimates from public staff that the bill could save ratepayers $13 billion. The modeling behind that figure included questionable assumptions — such as a nonexistent $10,000-per-ton carbon tax and an incorrect assumption that natural gas would no longer be available as a resource in North Carolina after 2034.
Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about both the modeling and the risks to customers, warning that allowing utilities to charge for power plants before they are built could leave ratepayers responsible for billions if projects are delayed or canceled.
“There are real concerns about what we're asking ratepayers to take on here,” said state Sen. DeAndrea Salvador, D-Mecklenburg, who urged lawmakers to pause the bill and review the modeling. "I don’t want to vote on a bill that promises things and we can’t see how that was made."
Salvador and others pointed to South Carolina's V.C. Summer nuclear project, which was abandoned after years of construction, leaving customers to pay more than $9 billion for a plant that was never finished.
State Sen. Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake, questioned why ratepayers — not Duke Energy shareholders — should shoulder the risk for these projects, noting that Duke is already guaranteed a profit under state law.
"Why not let shareholders take on that risk?" Grafstein asked.
Although supporters of the bill focused heavily on affordability, critics said it could have the opposite effect by locking in more reliance on expensive, volatile fossil fuels.
Natural gas prices have been one of the biggest drivers of recent energy cost spikes in North Carolina. A 2024 analysis by EQ Research found that between 46% and 67% of Duke Energy’s residential rate increases since 2017 were tied to rising gas prices.
“At a time of rising energy costs, this bill is a bad deal for ratepayers,” said Will Scott, director of Southeast climate and clean energy for the Environmental Defense Fund. “Our recent analysis showed that North Carolina does not need any more baseload gas power plants, yet this bill fast-tracks those plants’ costs onto North Carolinians’ power bills. Let’s stick to our goals to reduce harmful power plant pollution and minimize customer exposure to volatile gas prices.”
Some lawmakers also raised concerns that eliminating the 2030 carbon-cutting target would undermine the state’s efforts to address climate change.
"You can’t just flip a switch in 2049 and suddenly have a zero-carbon grid," Grafstein said, adding that interim goals help ensure steady progress and prevent costly last-minute decisions.
Newton, however, dismissed the urgency of near-term emissions cuts.
"There's not a scientist on the globe that will tell you we're harming the environment by moving to 2050," Newton said. "We can shut down North Carolina today entirely and walk away — it will have no impact on the climate."
Still, climate scientists with the United Nations have warned that cutting global carbon emissions in half by 2030 is critical to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The United States is the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
While current law already allows utilities to recover some construction costs through rate cases, Senate Bill 261 would allow Duke and others to seek approval to recover those costs outside of a general rate case.
Newton noted that spreading out costs during construction would prevent “rate shock” when plants come online and avoid potential credit downgrades that could make borrowing more expensive.
But sate Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, said customers in other states have ended up paying the price when similar pre-funding policies led to projects that failed or ran wildly over budget.
“I don’t want us to be in the same situation as Georgia’s Vogtle plant or South Carolina’s V.C. Summer,” Mayfield said, referencing two nuclear projects plagued by delays and ballooning costs.
In a statement to WRAL News, a Duke Energy spokesperson said: “Policies that enable more timely recovery of investments in modern infrastructure help keep overall costs down for customers and result in more predictable energy prices by avoiding sudden spikes. This process would be subject to regulatory oversight to ensure the protection of customers’ interests.”
The bill passed the Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.
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GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 7/8, 1-seeded NC State women's basketball team took care of business in the 2024 Ally ACC Tournament Semifinals, as the Pack defeated No. 14/14, 5-seeded North Carolina, 66-55. NC State led for 36 minutes, only trailing in the opening minutes of the game, and used a 21-0 run early in the contest to get the scoring rolling.NC State outrebounded North Carolina 44-35 and won the battle in points in the paint (28-22) and points off turnovers (15-9). NC State also held UNC to under 30 perce...
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 7/8, 1-seeded NC State women's basketball team took care of business in the 2024 Ally ACC Tournament Semifinals, as the Pack defeated No. 14/14, 5-seeded North Carolina, 66-55. NC State led for 36 minutes, only trailing in the opening minutes of the game, and used a 21-0 run early in the contest to get the scoring rolling.
NC State outrebounded North Carolina 44-35 and won the battle in points in the paint (28-22) and points off turnovers (15-9). NC State also held UNC to under 30 percent shooting at 27.9 (17-61). The Pack had balanced scoring once again with three players in double digits and six with 6+ points. Aziaha James paced the Pack with 19 points and nine rebounds.
UNC struck first and jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, but that was the only lead the Tar Heels would have in the game, as the Wolfpack responded with an 8-0 run, fueled by Tilda Trygger. The freshman scored all of NC State's first eight points, including a 3-pointer assisted by James. By the first media timeout, the Pack held an 8-5 advantage. NC State's momentum continued as Zamareya Jones and Madison Hayes hit back-to-back triples, extending the Pack's run to 14-0. A Hayes layup pushed the streak to 16-0 before UNC's scoring drought reached over eight minutes. The Pack ended the first quarter with a commanding 16-5 lead.
Lorena Awou opened the second quarter with a basket, extending NC State's run to 18-0, followed by a James three-pointer to make it 21-0. UNC broke its scoring drought of over 10 minutes with a 3-pointer, and the Tar Heels went on a 7-0 run to cut the Pack's lead to 10. Despite NC State leading by as many as 17, UNC found momentum late in the second quarter, making four straight shots to narrow the gap. At the break, the Pack held a 33-26 lead.
NC State regained control in the third quarter behind James, who was fouled less than two minutes in and made both free throws. James continued her impact, hitting a turnaround jumper to extend the lead by 11 at 37-26. Hayes knocked down a 3-pointer to push the score to 42-28, and Awou added two free throws to keep the Pack in control. Mallory Collier finished a layup through contact and Rivers made a jumper to extend the Pack's lead to 17, 54-37 at the end of the third quarter. The Pack outscored UNC 21-11 in the third.
In the final quarter, James got the scoring started with a layup, and Brooks hit a buzzer-beater jumper out of the media timeout. Despite some late fouls and an offensive push from UNC, the Pack maintained control. Awou sealed the game with a layup off a pass from Rivers, bringing the score to 66-53 before NC State closed out the 66-55 victory.
The Pack's largest lead of the night was 21 points, as they held off UNC for the rivalry win to improve NC State's record to 65-56 in the all-time series and 8-7 in ACC Tournament games vs. the Tar Heels. NC State is also now 19-10 in semifinals games and 62-40 in ACC Tournament contests.
PACK FACTS
UPCOMING The Pack will play the winner of 2-seed Notre Dame vs. 3-seed Duke in the ACC Tournament Championship game on Sunday, March 9 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
The North Carolina General Assembly is making strides to address the state’s high healthcare costs, with two Senate committees approving a bill on Wednesday that would disclose the cost of state government health insurance mandates on North Carolina employers and taxpayers.Senate Bill 24 aims to tackle rising healthcare expenses by improving transparency around the cost of state healthcare mandates and tightening regulations on government...
The North Carolina General Assembly is making strides to address the state’s high healthcare costs, with two Senate committees approving a bill on Wednesday that would disclose the cost of state government health insurance mandates on North Carolina employers and taxpayers.
Senate Bill 24 aims to tackle rising healthcare expenses by improving transparency around the cost of state healthcare mandates and tightening regulations on government-mandated health insurance requirements that lead to higher premiums.
Both the Senate Committee on Health Care and the Senate Committee on Pensions and Retirement and Aging discussed the legislation on Wednesday, which has also been introduced in the House. Sponsors of the bill are Sens. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett; Amy Galey, R-Alamance; and Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston.
“You may know that recent studies ranked North Carolina 50th out of all 50 states for health care costs. This is unacceptable, and it creates significant financial burdens on the constituents of our state, creating barriers to access to care for some individuals or families,” said Burgin. “We understand the importance of addressing these costs, and this bill seeks to ensure that we are fully aware of any additional costs that may ultimately result in higher premiums.”
The bill proposes measures such as mandating the repeal of existing health benefit mandates if new ones are introduced and ensuring that any new mandates apply to the state health plan. The state health plan had a $106 million loss in 2023-2024 and is projected to have a $484 million deficit by 2026. Since 2020, the state treasurer has had to transfer $869 million from reserves to keep the plan afloat.
Legislators pointed to the impacts of the Affordable Care Act as an example of mandates increasing costs.
“I think we all understand that when something is mandated, it increases costs,” said Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon. “And we saw that happen with the Affordable Care Act, we saw prices essentially double within a very short period of time; that folks were getting tax credits for that to make up for that. But the point is, the actual cost of health insurance goes up every time you mandate it.”
A lawmaker also emphasized the need to address the cultural aspect of healthcare reform, which includes personal responsibility for life choices and the burden placed on responsible individuals who end up subsidizing others’ decisions.
Business representatives and healthcare professionals expressed their support for the bill, highlighting the importance of controlling costs and increasing transparency. Some offered up suggestions like publishing dollars used for public employees’ healthcare, just like state employee salaries.
“Thank you for your attention and focus on reducing healthcare costs in North Carolina,” said Mark Coggins on behalf of the NC Chamber. He stressed that employer-sponsored healthcare is critical to retaining a talented workforce, and businesses need predictability and affordability in the healthcare system.
With SB 24 progressing favorably through the committees, it will now head to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.
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