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After a two-year hiatus because of public health concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, 40 of the top high school senior boys and girls basketball players from North Carolina and South Carolina gathered in Wilmington, North Carolina to take part in the 23rd playing of the Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games on March 26. Once again, the event made a great impact on the student-athletes and 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 these young competitors not only played exciting basketball, but also learned life skills to carry into the next phase of their careers.
Nearly 2,000 cheering fans packed John T. Hoggard High School gymnasium as the girls’ and boys’ teams went head-to-head. South Carolina took home the win in the boys’ game, 96-89, while the North Carolina girls were victorious, 78-53.
Noah Clowney of South Carolina’s Dorman High School led the boys’ scoring with 18 points, and his 15 rebounds tied the record for most rebounds in a game. In addition, the University of Alabama recruit was named Most Outstanding Player for the boys. Dwight Canady of Hendersonville High School and Nolan Hodge of Northern Guilford led the North Carolina scoring with 16 apiece. North Carolina leads the series 14-9.
As for the girls, South Carolina’s Anala Nelson from Lower Richland High in Hopkins, SC led all scorers with 14 points, and Murphy’s Torin Rogers topped North Carolina with 12. Most Outstanding Player honors for the girls went to North Carolina’s Jerni Kiaku from Garner Magnet High School who is on her way to North Carolina Central University. North Carolina leads the series 14-9.
In 2018 and 2019, the student-athletes visited patients in the children’s wing and the rehab center of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, brightened the day of local elementary school students, and buddied up with physically and mentally challenged children and adults at the Miracle Field. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions prevented the players from similar activities this year. However, through their interactions with the young people, FLOCK leaders, coaches, and speakers made sure to emphasize the importance of using basketball talents to open doors and positively influence the lives of others.
Kory Davis of South Carolina’s York Prep Academy said, “I just wanted to let you how much I really enjoyed the NC/SC All-star weekend. It opened my eyes and gave me a peek into my future.”
Pat Kennedy, Director of Athletics at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC, summed up the weekend like this, “We wanted to thank House of Raeford Farms for sponsoring such a terrific event. Our player, Chloe Williams, raved about the experience, and it will be a lasting memory in her basketball career. As an educator and coach, my heart filled with joy as I heard that you donated all proceeds from the event to a program that helps kids and their families. It is a tough time right now in our world, so thank you for restoring the good that we all can do.”
As Coach Kennedy stated, House of Raeford Farms FLOCK wrapped the tournament by donating $15,000, including all revenue from ticket sales, to Camp Corral, a non-profit organization providing summer camp experiences across the nation for children of wounded, injured, ill, and fallen military heroes. This is in addition to a $10,000 contribution in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic cancelled the Classic. “Camp Corral’s mission is to transform the lives of the children of wounded warriors, and to empower America’s most vulnerable military children to live their best lives possible,” said Dave Witter, FLOCK board member. “This so closely aligns with the purpose of FLOCK, and we are very pleased to support their initiative.”
Total scoring from the Boys’ teams:
South Carolina 96, North Carolina 89
SC: Kory Davis 9, Isaiah Williams 13, Noah Clowney 18, Jordyn Surratt 9, Dylan Williams 10, Justin Bailey 13, Pharrell Boyogueno 7, Zachary Davis 15, Houston Jones 2
NC: Jordan Crawford 5, Zeke Cannedy 13, Will Kelly 8, Shawn Jones 10, Dwight Canady 16, Omar Harris 5, Mari Adams 4, Chase Lowe 10, Davis Molnar 2, Nolan Hodge 16
Most Outstanding Player – Noah Clowney, Dorman High School, Roebuck, SC
Total scoring from the Girls’ teams:
North Carolina 78, South Carolina 53
SC: Quadaija Langley 10, Chamiah Dominick 1, Anala Nelson 14, Jakaiya Mack 7, Destiny Middleton 1, McCall King 8, Quantashia Davis 2, Jasmine Grant 6, Ariana Wilkes 4
NC: Jerni Kiaku 8, Journee McDaniel 7, Bobbi Smith 10, Kate Hollifield 3, Ashanti Lynch 8, Aly Wadkovsky 9, Torin Rogers 12, Samantha Ackles 3, Chloe Williams 10, Amiya Joyner 8
Most Outstanding Player – Jerni Kiaku, Garner Magnet High School, Garner, NC
