TOP 10 GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL GAMES OF THE YEAR
6 min read
What a great basketball season it was. Part of our All-WJG rollout is the Top 10 games of the year. Between me and Laieke, we saw over 150 basketball games this winter. Here are the 10 Boys and Girls Basketball Games in the WJG Area that we thought were the best this year. Enjoy!
Top 10 Boys Games
- Goldsboro-Kinston Part 1 — Kai: “WOOOO, now this was a game. The Highway 70 Series is the best basketball rivalry in the WJG area hands down. The two heavyweights in eastern North Carolina basketball gave the fans all $7 worth as Louisville and multiple other colleges were in the building to watch. The No. 1 Player in the 2021 class in North Carolina, Dontrez Styles did not disappoint as he scored 20 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and the two overtimes. Christian Bullock’s 3-pointer as the first overtime expired helped keep the Cougars alive before they ran out of gas.”
- Goldsboro-Eastern Wayne Part 2 — Kai: “One of the few times the sequel was better than the original. Devin Brown was absolutely monstrous with 34 points and 28 rebounds. But the heroics of Jy’Keis Mclean who hit the game-tying shot to send the game to overtime plus his 13 of his team-high 20 in the fourth and overtime.”
- Wayne Country Day-Greenfield Part 3 — Kai: “It looked to be the typical Greenfield-Wayne Country Day game as the Knights charged out ahead. But Wayne Country Day did something they hadn’t done all season — fought through adversity…TOGETHER. A resilient fight got the Chargers within a possession to win. The Chargers called a timeout down one and drew up a pick-and-pop for Jaden Cooper to Mike Best who made a three pointer for the win and the CPIC tournament championship. It was the first win over Greenfield since 2017 and only the third in over two decades for the Chargers over their hated arch rival.”
- Clayton-Princeton — Kai: “A game that was scheduled about three weeks before the affair became one of the most hyped games in the county as the 3-A perennial power came in to the smallest school in Johnston County for a show down. Both teams showed why they were prepared for a deep playoff run as Jaheim Taylor led all scorers with 27, but BJ Freeman and Clayton prevailed.”
- Goldsboro-Southern Wayne — Kai: “A high scoring affair ended with Southern Wayne pulling off the upset as the senior backcourt of Jamari Leach and David Brewer combined for 63 points.”
- Clayton-South Johnston Part 2 — Kai: “With a local television station broadcasting, CJ Ray and BJ Freeman — the two best players in the area this year — went head-to-head with the 3-A GNRC on the line. It ended with Freeman coming out on top, once again, both in the box score and scoreboard. Both heavyweights ended with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.”
- Goldsboro-Wayne Country Day — Kai: “This game had been hyped up for months as both teams had been looked at as the best teams in Wayne County. The game did not disappoint, but Goldsboro played a much better game and got a win as Xavion Atkinson poured in 29 points in possibly his best game of the season. Jaden Cooper’s 27 points became a mere footnote as the Cougars regained the FCA Christmas tourney crown.”
- South Johnston-Cleveland Part 1 — Kai: “Missed free throws from Cleveland and a missed charge call, opened the door for CJ Ray and South Johnston to make a six-point comeback in the final two minutes which was capped off with a 3-pointer by Dylan Bates.”
- C.B. Aycock-South Central Part 1 — Laieke: “Aycock went toe to toe with the defending 4-A state champions in their first matchup with South Central. The Golden Falcons took the lead late in the fourth quarter before Travon Ward’s go ahead bucket in the final 25 seconds. A desperation three by Charles Walker II was close to being the winner, but South Central took the win. However, this is one of the games South Central had to forfeit due to playing an ineligible player, so technically, Aycock won this game after all.”
- Goldsboro-Eastern Wayne Part 1 — Laieke: “This was my first introduction into Wayne County basketball and the first Goldsboro-Eastern Wayne game couldn’t have been a better choice. The Warriors got a huge performance from Wesley Case, but a dominant third quarter from the Cougars was the difference. Eastern Wayne would comeback, but led by Christian Bullock and Xavion Atkinson, Goldsboro took the first game and set up a great rematch (which will be talked about later).”
Top 10 Girls Games
- Wayne Country Day-Friendship Christian Part 3 — Kai: “Down 17 in the third quarter, Wayne Country Day freshman Ja’Kea Brunson took over the game and scored 26 in the second half to notch her first 30-point game in her career and won the Chargers’ 4th straight CPIC Tournament title.”
- Princeton-Neuse Charter Part 2 — Kai: “A controversial late no-call was the story as the scrappy up and coming Cougars could not down the reigning champion Bulldogs.”
- Southern Wayne-South Central Part 1 — Laieke: “Southern Wayne’s signature win of the season was their first meeting with South Central. Despite an offensive struggle, the Saints defense came to play allowing the Falcons to their lowest point total of the year. Aleesha Boyette, Ty’lisha Maye, and Jamaiya Bass led a total team effort for a Southern Wayne team that had their most wins since 2014.”
- Cleveland-South Johnston Part 1 — Kai: “Cleveland held on to a first half lead despite a good push from South Johnston in the final two quarters.”
- Princeton-North Johnston Part 1 — Kai: “A back and fourth low scoring affair ended with Princeton taking the game in overtime.”
- C.B. Aycock-Goldsboro Part 2— Laieke: “The second Aycock-Goldsboro meeting was back and forth from the opening tip off. While the Cougars had early control, the Golden Falcons were able to response with a big second quarter. After Goldsboro took a four point lead into the fourth quarter, Abbey Thomas took over for Aycock. Her go-ahead free throws with less than a minute left proved to be the difference.”
- Smithfield-Selma-Beddingfield Part 2 — Kai: “Khaliyah Peacock hit a crazy three pointer to being the Spartans within a possession. Then after three fouls, Beddingfield missed two free throws and turned it over to give Smithfield-Selma a shot to win, but it was no good.”
- North Johnston-SouthWest Edgecombe Part 3 — Laieke: “North Johnston was down seven with 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter before Mackenzie Gibson tied the game at the free throw line with three seconds left. Southwest Edgecombe recovered but put scoring the Panthers 13-2 in the overtime period, but Jay Poole’s team proved to be worthy of a state playoff berth even in defeat.”
- Wayne Country Day-Trinity Academy — Laieke: “Wayne Country Day reached their second consecutive NCISAA 2A final four, but it wasn’t easy. They had to fend off a comeback attempt in their quarterfinal matchup with Trinity Academy of Raleigh. The Chargers turned to their senior forward Lexi Jeffreys who had 23 of their 47 points. However, the Tigers nearly erased an 18 point deficit and had a shot to tie it at the buzzer. In the end, Maurice Jones’ Chargers continued to prove they’re the best team in Wayne County.”
- Neuse Charter-Lee Christian — Kai: “A late call in the fourth quarter ended Neuse Charter’s comeback and helped Lee Christian escape Johnston County with a win.”
