NC GIRLS AND SC BOYS VICTORIOUS AT THE CAROLINAS CLASSIC ALL STAR BASKETBALL GAMES
For the second straight year, 40 of the top public high school senior basketball players from North Carolina and South Carolina gathered at John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington, North Carolina to take part in the 22nd Annual Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games on March 23rd. Once again the event made a great impact on the community.
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 not only played exciting basketball but also participated in community service events.
The gymnasium was packed as the girls’ and boys’ teams went head-to-head Saturday evening. South Carolina took home the win for the boys’ game, 129-117, while the North Carolina girls were victorious, 80-59.
Blythewood, South Carolina’s Tre’ Jackson on the boys’ team dominated with 36 points, a Carolinas Classic boys’ team record. The Iowa State recruit hit eight three-pointers, also a record, and was named Most Outstanding Player for the boys. Justin McKoy, committed to Penn State, led the North Carolina scoring with 31. North Carolina leads the series 14-8.
As for the girls, South Carolina’s Taylor Britt from Columbia, SC led all scorers with 21 points, and Charlotte’s Jordan McLaughlin topped North Carolina with 13. University of South Carolina recruit Olivia Thompson tied the event record for the third most three-pointers made with four. Most Outstanding Player honors for the girls went to North Carolina’s Tamari Key from Cary High School who is on her way to the University of Tennessee. North Carolina leads the series 13-9.
Off the court, players took part in a visit to the children’s hospital and the physical rehabilitation facility at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, visited four New Hanover County elementary schools, and buddied up with children and adults at the Miracle League baseball field. The Miracle League of Wilmington is an accessible baseball league filled with joy, dancing and home runs for children and adults living with disabilities.
“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. “We feel the players gained as much from this experience as the children and adults they served. It gave the student athletes something positive to share on college campuses and throughout their lives.”
Jordan McLaughlin, who played her high school basketball at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology in Charlotte and is headed to Mercer University, seemed to sum it up best from a player’s perspective, “Literally the best experience of my high school career!! Loved everything about it.” Likewise, Bryson Childress from North Stanly High School had this to say, “It was such a humbling and eye-opening experience. It was really amazing to be part of the whole event, not just the game.”
House of Raeford Farms FLOCK wrapped the tournament by donating $25,000, including all revenue from ticket sales, to Access of Wilmington whose mission is to develop recreational programs and partnerships throughout Southeastern North Carolina to facilitate inclusive activities for children, adults, and veterans living with disabilities and their families; thus, positively impacting their health, wellness, and quality of life. In addition, New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation, last year’s event benefactor, was awarded $10,000 to continue FLOCK’s support for their “Caring for Kids” program.
“FLOCK contributing these funds to the community and planting seeds in the lives of these young people makes this an investment for the future and not just a sponsorship,” said Johnson.
Total scoring from the Boys’ teams:
South Carolina 129, North Carolina 117
SC: Trey Smith 13, Tre Jackson 36, Trae Hannibal 25, Trevur Smalls 4, Asanti Price 8, Tommy Bruner 2, Malcolm Wilson 3, Ishan White 18, Marlow Gilmore 10, Juwan Perdue 10
NC: Bryson Childress 21, Keyshaun Langley 7, Jahmois Barnhill 9, Fletcher Abee 8, Ren Dyer 9, Sydney Dollar 2, Kadin Shedrick 7, Owen McCormick 7, Justin McKoy 31, Imajae Dodd 16
Most Outstanding Player – Tre Jackson, Blythewood High School, Blythewood, SC
Total scoring from the Girls’ teams:
North Carolina 80, South Carolina 59
SC: Olivia Thompson 12, Taylor Britt 21, Taylor Lewis 2, Maliyah Lockett 2, Mya Burns 12, Asia Smith 2, Quadijah Moore 6, Brandi Rivers 2
NC: Kendal Moore 5, Asia Todd 4, Jada Peebles 6, Nia Daniel 8, Jordan McLaughlin 13, Callie Scheier 10, Lauren Godwin 6, Tamari Key 12, Alexandria Scruggs 4, Elizabeth Kitley 12
Most Outstanding Player – Tamari Key, Cary High School, Cary, NC
