2025 NCHSAA 3A Basketball Championships
WINSTON-SALEM — The Ben L. Smith Golden Eagles made history, defeating Southern Durham 64-62 in overtime at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to capture their first-ever NCHSAA Basketball Championship.
In the final 30 seconds of regulation, Smith’s Tayshawn Mann drove to the basket and hit a layup to tie the game. Southern’s A.J. Morman Jr. had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his layup attempt missed, sending the game into overtime.
Smith junior Jyi Dawkins struck first in the extra period, helping the Golden Eagles build a five-point lead. Southern fought back, cutting the deficit to just one with 12 seconds remaining after a Jackson Keith layup.
With the game on the line, Dawkins was fouled and calmly sank both free throws, capping off his 29-point performance. On the final possession, Morman’s three-point attempt rattled out, and the Golden Eagles sealed the win at the free-throw line. Keith hit a three at the buzzer, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Dawkins was named the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player of the championship. Kenny Miller Jr. added 13 points and five rebounds, earning West MVP honors.
For Southern Durham, Morman finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, earning the East MVP award. Keith also had a strong performance with 23 points and eight rebounds.
With this thrilling overtime victory, Ben L. Smith High School etched its name in history, claiming its first state basketball title in dramatic fashion.
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WINSTON-SALEM — The Western Alamance Warriors pulled away in the second half to defeat Stuart Cramer 76-58 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, securing the first NCHSAA Women’s Basketball Championship in school history.
The Warriors took control with a dominant 12-0 run to start the third quarter, stretching their lead to 20. Despite a stellar performance from Stuart Cramer’s Oshauna Holland, the Warriors maintained their advantage and never let the Storm close the gap.
Holland delivered a remarkable individual effort, scoring 49 of her team’s 58 points on 15-of-29 shooting. She was a perfect 17-of-17 from the free-throw line, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded two assists, earning West Most Valuable Player honors.
For Western Alamance, Tina Bowers led the way with 26 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, securing the East Most Valuable Player award. Allie Sykes contributed 22 points and five assists while making 10-of-12 free throws, earning the Kay Yow MVP Award.
Emma Johnson added eight points, Cayden White scored six, and both Xiomara Moser and Ava Mitchell chipped in five as the Warriors made history with their first-ever state title.
