Ben L. Smith are your NCHSAA 3A State Champions!

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Ben L. Smith and Southern Durham needed overtime to decide a champion in the NCHSAA 3A ranks on Friday night!

It took another overtime game in the NCHSAA 3A ranks to decide a champion on Friday night as Southern Durham and Ben L. Smith squared off for the state championship. In the end, Smith took home a close 64-62 victory behind 29 points and eight rebounds from top 2026 prospect Jyi Dawkins Jyi Dawkins 6'4" | SG Ben L. Smith | 2026 State NC to win their first state title in school history. Despite their 29-3 record, Smith had some adversity to overcome to get to the Finals and they didn't let that slow them down at all.

Dawkins took home Most Valuable Player Award for Smith while Kenny Miller took home Most Outstanding Player for his performance throughout the NCHSAA State Playoffs.

Dawkins and the Eagles overcame 23 points from Jackson Keith Jackson Keith 6'6" | SF Southern Durham | 2025 State #84 Nation NC and 23 points from AJ Morman AJ Morman 5'10" | PG Southern of Energy and Sustainability | 2028 State #90 Nation NC to seal the victory in the end. The Spartans had a ton of chances in the end, especially banking on Keith's efficiency. He shot 7-for-12 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line, but in the end, the Eagles would hang on to take home the victory. Alongside Dawkins, Kenny Miller also finished scoring in double-figures, posting 13 points along with five rebounds.

Stay tuned for a recap of the 2A and 4A State Championship games as they tip off this afternoon in Winston-Salem!