CLIMAX, NC – Shelby built an early lead just to watch Farmville Central whittle it down to one at the half. However, the Golden Lions responded in the second half, stretching their lead out to as many as 16 on their way to defeating Farmville Central 77-62 to win the 2A Women’s Basketball State Championship. 

Maraja Pass was outstanding in all facets of the game for Shelby, engineering the offense masterfully from the point guard position. She scored 31 points, and had 8 assists on her way to earning the Kay Yow 2A Most Valuable Player Award in the game.

Shelby also got brilliant performances from Ally and Kate Hollifield. The junior, Kate had 16 points and 8 rebounds while often drawing a tough defensive assignment against Jorday Joyner from Farmville. The sophomore, Ally, was also stellar, scoring 22 points grabbing 5 rebounds and notching 3 assists on her way to taking the Most Outstanding Player Award for Shelby.

Farmville Central stayed in the game for most of the way, much of their offense coming from Jordan Joyner who scored 19 points, grabbed 5 boards and dished out 5 assists. She kept the foot on the gas with her defensive pressure and athletic ability to get out on the break. In the end, the Jaguars were unable to overcome 20 turnovers and Shelby took care of the basketball only allowing 6 turnovers in the game. 

Shelby finished the season 18-0, they were 12-0 and won the Southwestern 2A Conference Championship for the second year in a row. The Golden Lions won the program’s first Regional Championship and first State Championships.

Farmville Central wrapped up the season 14-1. They were 9-0 as the champions of the Eastern Plaines 2A. The Jaguars won their third straight Eastern Regional Championship. 

The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and honoring outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with the NC Farm Bureau to award Sportsmanship Awards to one athlete from each of the participating teams to recognize excellence in sportsmanship throughout the year. The Sportsmanship Award winners for the game were Yahreia Peeler from Shelby and Kenya Pittman from Farmville Central.