2A Championship: Farmville Central vs. Reidsville
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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. Farmville Central defeated Reidsville in last season’s state championship game…
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Continue ReadingThis 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.
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.
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.
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.
Quarter-By-Quarter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Primetime Performers
As one can expect, this game was loaded with noteworthy standouts. Among those was Johnniyus Sharpe Johnniyus Sharpe 6'2" | CG Reidsville | 2025 State NC who led all scorers with 29 points. Sharpe also went a perfect 10 out of 10 at the free throw line.
Complimenting Sharpe’s 29 was a double-double contributed by Kendre Harrison Kendre Harrison 6'8" | C Reidsville | 2026 State NC . He concluded his evening with a 19-point, 13-rebound performance. In addition, Harrison also rejected five Farmville Central shots.
Dionte Neal Dionte Neal 5'10" | PG Reidsville | 2026 State NC 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.
Reidsville also benefitted greatly from the 12 points placed on the scoreboard courtesy of Al-Jariq Lee Al-Jariq Lee 6'3" | SF Reidsville | 2024 State NC . He also brought down four rebounds and sent out three assists. Lee was one of two for the Rams who played all 36 minutes.
A ferocious Farmville Central offensive attack was keyed by MJ Williams MJ Williams 5'10" | SG Farmville Central | 2025 State NC . He scored 23 points and dished out five assists. Williams also displayed his accuracy from behind the arc with four 3-pointers.
Alex Moye Alex Moye 6'3" | SF Farmville Central | 2024 State NC 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.
It was an 18-point performance from Hampton Evans Hampton Evans 6'5" | PF Farmville Central | 2024 State NC . In addition to making seven of his 13 attempts from the field. Three of those attempts were 3-pointers. Evans played nearly 34 minutes.
Records
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.
So Long, Seniors
Caps and gowns await Keymari Outlaw, Tyler Whitehurst Tyler Whitehurst 6'1" | CG Farmville Central | 2024 State NC , Jordan Jones Jordan Jones 6'4" | SF Kinston | 2024 State NC , JD Daniels JD Daniels 6'3" | SF Farmville Central | 2024 State NC , Alex Moye Alex Moye 6'3" | SF Farmville Central | 2024 State NC , Hampton, Landen Barnes, Jazion Willoughby and Chris Rhodes Chris Rhodes 5'11" | CG Farmville Central | 2024 State NC from Farmville Central.
The Rams are graduating five 2024s – Kaleb Shaifer, Al-Jariq Lee Al-Jariq Lee 6'3" | SF Reidsville | 2024 State NC , Nysir Bell, Aidan Mansfield and Mohamed Adbelayem.