RALEIGH – South Central blasted their way out of the starting blocks on Saturday in the 4A State Basketball Championships, exploding to a 17-6 lead through the first quarter over West Charlotte and not looking back on the way to the school’s first Men’s Basketball State Championship.
Day’ron Sharpe was a dominating force in the game scoring 23 points on nine of 15 shooting from the field. His 23 points were littered with powerful, rim-shaking dunks. He also grabbed 13 rebounds, had three blocks and five assists as he was named the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player in the game.
Jahzeer Baker was also strong for the Falcons, scoring 18 points with five rebounds as he dished out four assists on the game. Baker was tapped as South Central’s Most Outstanding Player in the game. Shykeim Phillips also had an incredible game for South Central, scoring 12 points while grabbing seven rebounds and nabbing a pair of steals.
After falling behind early, West Charlotte made several attempts to get back in the game, led by senior star-guard Patrick Williams. Williams went seven for 15 from the floor and scored 18 to go with his five rebounds. He was named West Charlotte’s Most Outstanding Player. The only other Lions player in double-figures was Quinten Thomas who scored 13 and grabbed nine rebounds.
West Charlotte finished the season 25-7 after going 12-2 in the I-Meck 4A Conference. The Lions won the Western Regional for the eighth time in program history.
South Central wrapped up the year 30-1 overall with a 12-0 record in the Eastern Carolina 4A Conference. The Falcons won the Eastern Regional for the second time in school history, the first time since 2011 when they claimed the 3A Eastern title. South Central won the school’s first Men’s Basketball State Championship.
The NCHSAA, in partnership with the North Carolina Farm Bureau, is committed to recognizing outstanding sportsmanship. Prior to the start of the game, the Association recognizes one individual from each team with the 2019 North Carolina Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards. This year’s recipients were Raquan Vann from South Central and Devontez Walker from West Charlotte.
