1A Championship: Corvian Community vs. Southern Wake

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For one final time prior to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association expanding from four to eight classifications, Championship Friday emanated from the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It began with the 1A boys final which featured Southern Wake and Corvian Community. The Lions' playoff run last season concluded at the hands of eventual champion Wilson Prep. This season's Southern Wake rendition earned victories over Hobbton, Warren County, Chatham Central, Northampton County and Washington County to arrive at Friday's championship tilt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals, notably, were on the receiving end of that state loss to Wilson Prep last season. Corvian Community is looking to finish the unfinished business. Wins over Bessemer City, College Prep &amp; Leadership, Carolina International, Bishop McGuiness and Queen's Grant had the Cardinals in prime position to do that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first of the eight championships to be issued that weekend would be bestowed upon Corvian Community as it defeated Southern Wake with the final score being 58-55 in a scintillating overtime matchup.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A championship-winning season for Corvian Community concludes with an overall record of 25-7 plus a 12-2 conference record. Southern Wake's season did not end as planned, but the Lions can still boast about a 29-5 overall mark plus going a perfect 12-0 against conference opponents.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two 1A combatants traded the first pair of points before Corvian Community opened things up by assuming a 7-2 run. Southern Wake battled back to only trail by one at the conclusion of the first half. It was Cardinals 13 and Lions 11 with eight minutes in the books.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Wake would outscore Corvian Community by a margin of 17-7 to enter halftime with a seven-point advantage. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Lions would lead the Cardinals with the scoreboard reading 28-21.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Corvian Community's turn to embark on an extended scoring binge in the third quarter. Said Cardinals run tied the matchup at 38 apiece prior to a late Southern Wake basket giving them a lead heading into the fourth quarter. With eight minutes remaining, the Lions lead was only 40-38 over the Cardinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High drama was building at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum as Cardinals and Lions were all knotted up at 49 with under two minutes to play. With zero second left on the clock, it was all tied at 53. Four more minutes would be needed to decide a 1A champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the score tied at 55, Corvian Community had one more possession to score or have to play a second overtime. The Cardinals would connect on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to seal an exciting 1A championship win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811437,"width":"528px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4677-crop-2914x1913-1742025917.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4677-crop-2914x1913-1742025917.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811437" style="width:528px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2149164' first='RJ' last='Moore']</strong> was the big hero for his Cardinals. Moore would score 26 points and was also one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Moore would connect on that game-winning 3-pointer which sealed the deal for Corvian Community. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811439,"width":"535px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4754-crop-2777x1823-1742026065.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4754-crop-2777x1823-1742026065.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811439" style="width:535px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals also benefitted greately from the 15 points and six rebounds that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374722' first='Malachi' last='McCutcheon']</strong>. Eight of his 15 occurred in either the second half or overtime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811445,"width":"529px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4557-crop-3435x2255-1742026444.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4557-crop-3435x2255-1742026444.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811445" style="width:529px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As was the case with McCutcheon, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374727' first='AJ' last='Jackson Jr']</strong> did his part in ensuring he would conclude his high school career as a state champion. He added nine points to the Corvian Community cause. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811447,"width":"522px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4505-crop-2319x1523-1742026653.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4505-crop-2319x1523-1742026653.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811447" style="width:522px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If one's first name is Kobe and is a hooper, said baller better be good. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1797957' first='Kobe' last='Plata']</strong> fits that description for Southern Wake. The sophomore guard led all point-getters for the Lions with 19 points. He also brought down four rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811449,"width":"524px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4695-crop-2496x1639-1742026861.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4695-crop-2496x1639-1742026861.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811449" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions efforts were boosted from the 15 points placed on the scoreboard courtesy of senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2127097' first='Bryan' last='Epperson']</strong>. He also brought down seven rebounds. Eight of Epperson's 15 were tallied in the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811451,"width":"523px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4479-crop-2544x1671-1742027031.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4479-crop-2544x1671-1742027031.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811451" style="width:523px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of seniors who wore the uniform of Southern Wake one final time, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2130040' first='Seung' last='Surmons']</strong> would add nine points for his team. The 5-foot-11 Lions guard also brought down four rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2811453,"width":"516px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4672-crop-3162x2076-1742027226.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_4672-crop-3162x2076-1742027226.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2811453" style="width:516px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2025 who had himself a productive individual afternoon was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1262468' first='Ira' last='Wilson']</strong>. The 6-foot-7 forward would conclude his afternoon with eight points and six rebounds. Wilson can also give a team worthwhile minutes as a wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Departing from the halls of Southern Wake will be [player_tooltip player_id='1262468' first='Ira' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1673520' first='Jeremiah' last='Henson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2130040' first='Seung' last='Surmons'], [player_tooltip player_id='2127097' first='Bryan' last='Epperson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1778846' first='William' last='Knight']. Corvian Community will graduate [player_tooltip player_id='2374723' first='Adrian' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='2374725' first='DeMarkus' last='Milton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2374726' first='Cam' last='Johnson'], Donovan Kirkwood, [player_tooltip player_id='2531218' first='Josiah' last='Rucks'], Connor Frey, Christian Evans, Mike Olsen and co-team captains Andre Jackson, Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='2374722' first='Malachi' last='McCutcheon'] and Doug Quarles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Reclassification</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corvian Community will move up from 1A to 2A next season. Southern Wake stays put at 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->