2A Championship: Reidsville vs. Northwood

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven down, one to go as the 2A boys state was last on the eight-game card at Wake Forest over St. Patrick's Day weekend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Around this same time last season, Reidsville was the last team standing among the 2A field following its thrilling 78-77 victory over Farmville Central to not only win the state championship but complete an undefeated season. This season, the Rams are looking to repeat both feats.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The path for Reidsville this season would go through Brevard, North Stanly, Monroe, Salisbury and Bandys.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing in the way of the Rams' goal of completing back-to-back perfect seasons and 2A championships was Northwood. That same Farmville Central team that came so close to defeating Reidsville eliminated the Chargers from last season's tournament en route to state. The Chargers earned wins over Camden County, SouthWest Edgecombe, South Granville, Southwest Onslow and West Bladen to punch its ticket to state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Would Reidsville's repeat effort be successful or would the Rams be denied by the Chargers? The answer was the former as Reidsville concluded the 2A boys season – and the high school basketball season at large -&nbsp;&nbsp;with a 71-54 win over Northwood.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win completes a season for Reidsville where it claimed the spoils of a state championship plus another undefeated record, this time of 31-0. The Rams also finished with a conference mark of 12-0. As for Northwood, it will finish the 2024-25 season having gone 30-3 plus 19-0 in its conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When reliving the last time Northwood and Reidsville met up, it is sure to put a smile on many a Rams fan. Reidsville in late December of 2023 defeated Northwood by a margin of 69-53.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A packed Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum was treated to plenty of entertaining hoops between Rams and Chargers. With one in the books, Reidsville and Northwood would be all knotted up at nine apiece.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More of the same was the case in the second quarter, but the Rams managed to exit the first half with a slim lead. As both teams departed their respective benches for their respective locker rooms, Reidsville would hold establish a 23-20 lead on Northwood.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams embarked on a 7-0 scoring binge to begin the third quarter which would prompt a timeout from Northwood. Much of the third period would be to Reidsville's liking as its lead ballooned to double digits. A repeat effort for the Rams was within their grasp, leading by a margin of 44-30 with eight minutes to go in the game – and the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the fourth quarter wore on, the Rams defense was too much for the Chargers – and it became clear this season's 2A championship contest would not have the same unbridled drama that was created by these Rams and Farmville Central last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812385,"width":"549px","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_6426-crop-2108x1384-1742106555.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6426-crop-2108x1384-1742106555.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812385" style="width:549px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three for Reidsville ended up in double digits for scoring. That included <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal']</strong> who would lead all point-compilers for the Rams with 24. Neal also grabbed five rebounds, distributed four assists and came away with two steals. He also made seven of his nine free throw attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812388,"width":"548px","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_6503-crop-2116x1389-1742106733.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6503-crop-2116x1389-1742106733.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812388" style="width:548px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe']</strong> also created plenty of problems for Northwood. Sharpe added 18 points to the Rams' cause. He would play over 31 minutes in what was the star 2025's final time in Reidsville colors. Sharpe will bring his talents to South Carolina-Aiken at the collegiate level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812391,"width":"542px","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_6447-crop-2592x1702-1742106846.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6447-crop-2592x1702-1742106846.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812391" style="width:542px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']</strong> also provided a big performance for the Rams. Harrison had a double-double of 16 points plus 11 rebounds. He was difficult for Northwood to score on as proven by his six blocks as well as coming away with three steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812393,"width":"544px","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_6490-crop-2664x1750-1742107071.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6490-crop-2664x1750-1742107071.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812393" style="width:544px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right behind Harrison in the rebounding department was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1892440' first='Cam'ron' last='Jones']</strong> who is himself a 2025. Jones may have only scored four points but he did bring down eight rebounds along with sending out a pair of assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812398,"width":"544px","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_6424-crop-2191x1439-1742107276.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6424-crop-2191x1439-1742107276.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812398" style="width:544px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwood's <strong>Cam Fowler</strong> concluded the season with a 27-point effort to lead all scorers. He spent plenty of time at the free throw line. Fowler took 14 attempts from the charity stripe and made 10. He also corralled eight rebounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2812402,"width":"547px","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_6483-crop-2255x1481-1742107517.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_6483-crop-2255x1481-1742107517.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2812402" style="width:547px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers' efforts were also aided thanks to 13 points placed on the scoreboard by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225618' first='Beau' last='Harvey']</strong>. He would bring down six assists in addition to being Northwood's assist leader for this game. Harvey sent out five dimes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kristian Scales, [player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe'], Bryan Gwynn and [player_tooltip player_id='1892440' first='Cam'ron' last='Jones'] are the four seniors that are calling it a career at Reidsville. Northwood is saying farewell to Hayes Burleson, [player_tooltip player_id='1225620' first='Isaiah' last='Blair'], [player_tooltip player_id='1225618' first='Beau' last='Harvey'] and Jaylen Scurlock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Reclassification</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When play commences in 2025-26, Northwood will move up from 2A to 3A while Reidsville will be part of the 4A field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->