NCHSAA 2A Basketball Championships Conclude

NCHSAA 2A WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: NORTH PITT KNOCKS OFF EAST BURKE 72-60

WINSTON-SALEM – The North Pitt Panthers won their fourth NCHSAA Women’s Basketball Championship with a 72-60 win against the East Burke Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Panthers took the lead in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the way, though the Cavaliers kept within striking distance for most of the Championship.

North Pitt was led by Jordan Speller’s 27-point, 10-rebound performance. Speller also had four assists, three steals and a pair of blocks and was named the Kay Yow Most Outstanding Player of the game.

Zamareya Jones also had a double-double for the Panthers as she posted 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. She was named the East Most Outstanding Player for her performance.

For the Cavaliers, Kara Brinkley had a game-high 28 points and 19 rebounds. She went 9-for-15 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the stripe and was named the West Most Outstanding Player.

North Pitt finished the season 29-3 and gave East Burke it’s only loss of the year as the Cavaliers finished the year 31-1.

North Pitt adds the 2024 Championship to their titles in 1972, 2016 and 2018. Friday was the first appearance in the Championship Game for the Cavaliers.

The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2A Women’s Basketball Championships were Kassie Turner from East Burke and Kenae Edwards from North Pitt.

East Burke Box Score:

- Kara Brinkley (28 points, 19 rebounds, 1-for-4 3pts, 9-for-11 FTs, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal); Braelyn Stilwell (23, 3-for-9 3pts, 6-for-6 FTs, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals); Kassie Turner (4 points, 1 steal); Kamiah Lawing (4 points, 4 rebounds); Anna Coble (4 points, 2 rebounds); Ally Moore (3 points, 1 block)

NCHSAA 2A

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: REIDSVILLE COMPLETES PERFECT SEASON, TOPS FARMVILLE CENTRAL IN OVERTIME 78-77

WINSTON-SALEM – The Reidsville Rams outlasted the Farmville Central Jaguars in overtime to finish the season as undefeated 2A NCHSAA Men’s Basketball State Champions on Saturday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 2024 Championship Game was a rematch of the 2023 Final, which Farmville Central won.

On Saturday, Farmville Central forced overtime as Mykal “MJ” Williams hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 70-70. In the extra frame, Williams put the Jaguars ahead 77-76 with 56 seconds left with a layup but with 17 seconds left, Reidsville’s Dionte Neal responded with a layup of his own to take the lead back 78-77.

Farmville Central’s final attempt at the buzzer bounced off to seal the win for Reidsville.

The Rams were led by 29 points from Johnniyus Sharpe Jr., and he was named the West Most Outstanding Player in the game. Kendre Harrison added 19 points on 12 shots, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Harris was awarded the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player Award for his performance.

Williams, who finished the game with 23 points, was named Most Outstanding Player for the East. Farmville Central’s Alex Moye added 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Reidsville finished the year 29-0 and is now 5-1 all time in NCHSAA Championship Games. Reidsville won it’s first title 100 years ago in 1924, and won its other championships in 1973, 1994 and 2003.

The Jaguars finished the season 30-2 and is now 8-3 in Championship Games.

The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2A Men’s Basketball Championships were Camron Jones from Reidsville and Tyler Whitehurst from Farmville Central.