2A Championship: Farmville Central vs. Reidsville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's 2A boys basketball championship contest had many of the elements one needs for a great final game – including a pair of great teams and a riveting storyline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmville Central defeated Reidsville in last season's state championship game to add to what has become a very loaded trophy case over the past several seasons. The Rams handed the Jaguars its lone loss of the season and was looking to complete an undefeated 2023-24 campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farrmville Central's path to the championship game saw them defeat Ayden-Grifton, Northeastern, Southwest Onslow, Northwood and Goldsboro while that of Reidsville saw then claim wins over Madison, Lincolnton, Shelby, West Stokes and Salisbury.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The story would be Reidsville dealing Farmville Central as the Rams defeated the Jaguars in an intense and entertaining overtime championship clash with the final score being 78-77.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Th first few minutes of Saturday's contest indicated that a result on the horizon was more indicative of this year's regular season contest than last year's championship tilt. Reidsville began the contest with a run but was answered by Farmville Central. The Rams would conclude the first quarter with a 22-13 edge over the Jaguars.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One had to expect that a team as good as Farmville Central would have a run in it to trim the deficit. The Jaguars did. It was a game that was turning into a track meet with both teams crossing the midway point at the same time. Both the Jaguars and Rams would be all knotted up at 37 with two stanzas played.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Farmville Central vs. Reidsville rematch featured a championship atmosphere – and it was only fitting given there was plenty of championship-level basketball played between both the Jaguars and Rams. With one period remaining, Reidsville's lead over Farmville Central was 57-53.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams had a 70-67 lead late in the fourth quarter prior to a game-tying 3-pointer. Apparently, 32 minutes was not enough to decide this one. Four more would be needed with both teams tied at 70 apiece.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point, Reidsville had a 76-72 advantage to begin the four minutes of free hopes only for Farmville Central to rally and assume a 77-76 lead. The Rams then went ahead by a score of 78-77 only for the Jaguars to have one more chance to win. Farmville Central had a good look at a 3-pointer only for that try to be unsuccessful. It would be Reidsville that would experience the jubilation of victory at the close of the contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378790,"width":"457px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_7012-crop-2236x1469-1710686378.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_7012-crop-2236x1469-1710686378.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378790" style="width:457px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As one can expect, this game was loaded with noteworthy standouts. Among those was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe']</strong> who led all scorers with 29 points. Sharpe also went a perfect 10 out of 10 at the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378792,"width":"455px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6998-crop-2236x1469-1710686473.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6998-crop-2236x1469-1710686473.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378792" style="width:455px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Complimenting Sharpe's 29 was a double-double contributed by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']</strong>. He concluded his evening with a 19-point, 13-rebound performance. In addition, Harrison also rejected five Farmville Central shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378794,"width":"455px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6832-crop-2236x1469-1710686583.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6832-crop-2236x1469-1710686583.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378794" style="width:455px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal']</strong> displayed what he can get accomplished not only as a scorer but as a ball distributor. While the 14 points he scored were critical, the 10 assists he sent out also were a major factor in the Rams' victory. So was what he did on the defensive end with four steals. Neal had the go-ahead Reidsville basket in overtime that put his Rams ahead for good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378796,"width":"452px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6990-crop-2570x1688-1710686702.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6990-crop-2570x1688-1710686702.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378796" style="width:452px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville also benefitted greatly from the 12 points placed on the scoreboard courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372144' first='Al-Jariq' last='Lee']</strong>. He also brought down four rebounds and sent out three assists. Lee was one of two for the Rams who played all 36 minutes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378798,"width":"467px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6909-2-crop-3149x2068-1710686859.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6909-2-crop-3149x2068-1710686859.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378798" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A ferocious Farmville Central offensive attack was keyed by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams']</strong>. He scored 23 points and dished out five assists. Williams also displayed his accuracy from behind the arc with four 3-pointers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378800,"width":"467px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6802-crop-2236x1469-1710686969.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_6802-crop-2236x1469-1710686969.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378800" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076368' first='Alex' last='Moye']</strong> also put forth a winning effort on what was a losing evening for the Jaguars. Moye helped his team with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Moye also made all four of his free throw tries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2378802,"width":"467px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_7029-crop-2236x1469-1710687079.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/IMG_7029-crop-2236x1469-1710687079.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2378802" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an 18-point performance from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076333' first='Hampton' last='Evans']</strong>. In addition to making seven of his 13 attempts from the field. Three of those attempts were 3-pointers. Evans played nearly 34 minutes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The history books will mention how the 2023-24 rendition of Reidsville completed an undefeated 29-0 season along with going 12-0 in its conference. They will also mention how this year's version of Farmville Central finished 30-2 and 13-0 in conference – with both defeats coming against the same foe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caps and gowns await Keymari Outlaw, [player_tooltip player_id='1076359' first='Tyler' last='Whitehurst'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450447' first='Jordan' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1774403' first='JD' last='Daniels'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076368' first='Alex' last='Moye'], Hampton, Landen Barnes, Jazion Willoughby and [player_tooltip player_id='1402878' first='Chris' last='Rhodes'] from Farmville Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams are graduating five 2024s – Kaleb Shaifer, [player_tooltip player_id='1372144' first='Al-Jariq' last='Lee'], Nysir Bell, Aidan Mansfield and Mohamed Adbelayem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->