2023 1A MEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP | Wilson Prep holds off Eastern Randolph 84-73 to win second title
RALEIGH, NC – Five players were in double-figures for Wilson Prep as a balanced attack lifted the Tigers past a scrappy Eastern Randolph team 84-73 at historic Reynolds Coliseum in the 1A State Championship Game. David Ellis grabbed 19 rebounds had five blocks and scored 14 points to help lead Wilson Prep, earning distinction as the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player in the game.
Ellis’ performance helped the Tigers dominate in the paint, where they outscored Eastern Randolph 50-26. His rebounding efforts also triggered some fast break opportunities, where Wilson Prep outscored the Wildcats 25-8.
Jahmar Jones led all Tigers with 20 points and six rebounds to help Wilson Prep win the school’s second State Championship. Jones was selected as the Tigers’ Most Outstanding Player chipping in five steals to round out a solid performance.
Eastern got 34 points from DaVonte Brooks who also grabbed 19 rebounds and had three steals in the game. He was chosen as the Wildcats’ Most Outstanding Player. The only other Wildcat in double-figures was Timothy Brower with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Eastern Randolph concluded their year 29-3. The Wildcats reached the State Championship Game for the first time in program history after winning the school’s first Western Regional Championship. The Wildcats also won the Patriot Athletic 1A/2A.
Wilson Prep was 27-7 this season, winning the school’s second men’s basketball State Championship in three years. The Tigers were 15-1 in the Tar Roanoke 1A, winning the league championship and appeared in the second State Championship in program history.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team that has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2023 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 1A Men’s Basketball Championship were Khristian Woodard from Wilson Prep and DaVonte Brooks from Eastern Randolph.
2023 2A MEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP | Farmville Central steadily runs by Reidsville 75-63
CHAPEL HILL, NC – The Farmville Central Jaguars were firing on all cylinders on their way to a 75-63 victory over Reidsville and the 2A Men’s Basketball State Championship. Farmville was led by a 35-point performance by Jah Short, who also grabbed seven rebounds on his way to earning the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player award and the program’s eighth State Championship.
Two other Jaguars were in double-figures, with JD Daniels and MJ Williams both scoring 14 points in the game. Daniels added nine rebounds and had a pair of assists on his way to earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the Jags. Williams capped off his day with three boards and three assists.
Late in the third quarter, the Rams managed to trim a 12-point deficit to just 3 as Kendre Harrison hit a jumper with 2:03 to go in the quarter to cut the lead to 47-44. However, Farmville closed the quarter on a 5-0 run and built some cushion and kept the Rams at arm’s length for the remainder of the game.
The Rams were led by a pair of underclassmen, Dionet Neal and Kendre Harrison. Neal was a difficult matchup in the game, scoring 32 points including 3-6 from three. He dished out four assists and had all five Reidsville steals. Neal was selected as the Rams’ Most Outstanding Player. Harrison dumped in 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds with five blocks in the game.
Farmville really distinguished themselves with their high-pressure defense. The Jags scored 21 points off Rams turnovers and only gave up four points off their own miscues.
Reidsville ended the season 26-1. The Rams were the unbeaten champions of the Mid-State 2A, winning the regular season and conference tournament championship. Reidsville’s men collected the program’s fifth regional championship and their first State Championship appearance since 2003.
Farmville Central completed the season 30-1, winning the Jags fourth state title in the last five seasons. The win gave the Jaguars eight State Championships in program history and the Jaguars won the program’s 11th regional championship this season.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team that has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2023 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2A Men’s Basketball Championship were Landon Barnes from Farmville Central and Aiden Mansfield from Reidsville.
2023 3A MEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP | Central Cabarrus drives past Northwood 65-51 for crown
RALEIGH, NC – With their high-scoring attack held below their average, Central Cabarrus still managed to push past Northwood 65-51 to win the 3A Men’s Basketball State Championship. The victory gave Central Cabarrus their second state title and first since 2000.
Desmond Kent Jr. had 16 points and added four rebounds on as he led the team. He also had three blocks on his way to being selected as the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player. Fellow Viking Adriel Miller also knocked in 16 points and picked up two rebounds.
Jaiden Thompson really directed the show for Central Cabarrus, scoring 10 points but grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists in the game. Defensively, he also had a standout game, ripping three steals and helping the Vikings build a 20-10 advantage in points off turnovers. He was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player for the Vikings.
Northwood did manage to get the game slowed down, only allowing eight points on fast breaks, but the Chargers turned the ball over 19 times to just 10 by the Vikings, eliminating possessions and helping Central Cabarrus to be slightly more efficient in the game. The Chargers were led by Drake Powell who dumped in 17 points and snatched eight rebounds on his way to earning Most Outstanding Player honors for Northwood.
Only one other Charger managed to score in double-figures as Kenan Parrish got 10 points and added six rebounds to his effort. The turnovers and inability to get to the line, shooting only three free throws in the game while Central Cabarrus knocked down 17 of their 22 attempts.
Northwood wrapped up the year 28-3. The Chargers were the champions of the Central 3A. Northwood won the Regional Championship for the fifth time in program history and appeared in their second NCHSAA State Championship Game in the last three years.
Central Cabarrus finished a perfect season with a record of 32-0. The Vikings were the champions of the South Piedmont 3A and won the school’s second Regional Championship. It was the school’s second men’s basketball title, following up their first State Championship win from 2000 when they defeated Dudley.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team that has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2023 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 3A Men’s Basketball Championship were Adriel Miller from Central Cabarrus and Griffin Hobbs from Northwood.
2023 4A MEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP | Myers Park rips past Richmond 74-60 to claim first title
CHAPEL HILL, NC – Myers Park led wire-to-wire, blowing past Richmond 74-60 to win the 4A Men’s Basketball State Championship in dominating fashion. The win gave Myers Park their first state title in men’s basketball in the program’s history.
Myers Park was hyper-efficient, knocking down 56.5% of their shots from the field. Bishop Boswell led the team with 22 points and six rebounds. He also added four assists and had three steals, drawing the tough assignment of covering Richmond’s Paul McNeil for most of the game after Sir Mohammaed was injured early. Boswell was selected as the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player for his efforts.
The Mustangs dominated in the paint as well, outscoring the Raiders in the paint by a 44-18 margin. Much of that advantage can be attributed to the 22 points from Elijah Strong who also banged out seven rebounds and tacked on a block for good measure. Strong was a powerhouse inside and with his strength was awarded the Most Outstanding Player honors for Myers Park.
Richmond never led in the game. The Raiders did manage to cut the Mustang advantage to three several times in the first half. However, any time the Raiders would make a surge, the Mustangs would answer. McNeil was the leader on the floor for Richmond, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds. He added two steals and a pair of assists on his way to the Most Outstanding Player honor for Richmond.
Myers Park had one other player in double-figures, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven boards in the game. The only Raider other than McNeil in double-figures was JV Drake, who chipped in 10 points in the loss.
The Raiders wrapped the year at 28-3. The Raiders won the Sandhills Athletic 3A/4A and collected the program’s fourth Regional Championship. Richmond returned to the State Championship Game for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 1996 and 1997.
Myers Park collected the program’s first state championship, completing an outstanding 28-4 season and winning the So Meck 7 4A. The Mustangs won the program’s third Regional Championship and appeared in the State Championship Game for the first time since 1966.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team that has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2023 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 4A Men’s Basketball Championship were Dakota Chavis from Richmond and Sam Walters from Myers Park.
