You could feel the air of excitement in Wilmington this weekend as 40 of the top high school senior basketball players from North Carolina and South Carolina gathered at John T. Hoggard High School to take part in the 20th Annual Carolinas Classic All Star Basketball Games and put the long-standing state rivalry to rest.
House of Raeford Farms, through the company’s non-profit arm, House of Raeford Farms FLOCK, sponsored the two-day event during which student athletes participated in community service events and faced off on the basketball court.
It was standing room only as the girls’ and boys’ teams went head-to-head Saturday evening. North Carolina took home the win for the boys’ game, 123-108, while the South Carolina girls were victorious, 76-70.
Bluffton, South Carolina’s Jermaine Patterson on the boys’ team dominated with 32 points. Patterson’s points total is the second most in Carolinas Classic history. The Queens University of Charlotte recruit hit four three-pointers during the game. As for the girls, Quin Byrd secured 14 points, while D’Asia Gregg and Amari Young walked away with 13, proving themselves to be a significant force behind the South Carolina win.
Off the court, players took part in a visit to the children’s hospital and physical rehabilitation facility at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, hosted basketball clinics at the Brigade Boys & Girls Club and the Community Boys & Girls Club, and visited four New Hanover County elementary schools.
“Our goal with the Carolinas Classic was to make a positive impact on these student athletes, in addition to Wilmington’s local community, through these volunteer opportunities,” said Bob Johnson, owner and chief executive officer at House of Raeford. “Impressions were definitely made on the players as much as they were made on the children they visited. Through their service, it gave the players first-hand experience on how their actions can have a positive effect on the places they call home.”
House of Raeford Farms FLOCK wrapped the tournament by donating $25,000, including all revenue from ticket sales, to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation to benefit the Betty H. Cameron Women and Children’s Hospital.
“It’s important to us to not only sponsor an event in which people are brought together to celebrate the accomplishments of these young athletes, but to also contribute any funds raised back into the community,” said Johnson.
Total scores from the boys’ teams:
North Carolina 123, South Carolina 108
SC: Jermaine Patterson 32, Shelton Brown 5, Kevin Williamson 11, Robert Braswell 11, Bradley Childers 4, Alex Caldwell 8, Isaih Moore 10, Jimmy Nichols 11, Shaq Davis 12, Winston Hill 4.
NC: Isaiah Bigelow 7, Kenny Dye 5, Dravon Mangum 16, Jarren McAllister 9, Andy Pack 8, Jamarius Burton 2, Hunter Tyson 14, Adrian Delph 26, Jayden Gardner 26, Caleb Mauldin 10
MVP – Jayden Gardner, Heritage High School, Wake Forest, NC
Total scores from the girls’ teams:
South Carolina 76, North Carolina 70
SC: Quin Byrd 14, Cyntheria Sullivan 2, Madisen Smith 9, Jordan Strange 5, Alexis Tomlin 3, Amari Young 13, Skylar Blackstock 11, D’Asia Gregg 13, Madison Golden 6, Gabby Smith 1.
NC: Ahlana Smith 10, Jada McMillian 12, Tayanna Jones 10, Trinity Jones 5, Areon Laurent 11, Jenson Edwards 2, Skylar Curran 7, Elissa Cunane 12.
MVP – Amari Young, North Augusta High School, North Augusta, SC