REACHING BEYOND ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAMES
On March 25, 2023 House of Raeford Farms FLOCK, the nonprofit arm of House of Raeford Farms, completed a fourth year sponsoring the Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games in Wilmington, North Carolina. Nearly 2,000 spectators witnessed thrilling high school basketball competition between the top senior boys and girls from North and South Carolina.
After a tight first half of competition, the North Carolina girls’ team finally pulled ahead to stay with an 85 – 56 victory. Nevaeh Farmer of North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville received Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors and led all scorers with 19 points. North Carolina won their third straight game in the series and leads 15 – 9 overall.
On the boys side, South Carolina was too strong for the North Carolina squad, dominating the game with a 118 – 99 win. Horace Jacques from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School topped the individual scoring with 24 points, and Montraivis White of Gray Collegiate Academy in West Columbia was the MOP breaking the event assist record with 19. Six players on the SC team and five from NC scored in double figures. It was three straight Classic wins for SC, while NC leads the series 15 – 9.
However, sometimes it is more than a game that makes the headlines. One of the pillars of FLOCK’s purpose is youth development. The student-athletes at this year’s Carolinas Classic stepped out in the community, and in some cases outside their comfort zone. They visited three local elementary schools on Friday morning, learning with the children in their classrooms and running with them on the playground. It was such an inspiration for the kids to meet these young men and women, if only for a few minutes. Perhaps the real winners were the student-athletes who learned the value of reaching beyond their basketball talents and developing their life skills. Something they will carry into the next season of their lives.
The teams also spent time at the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) stopping at the exceptional rehabilitation hospital, touring the first-class laboratory, and learning about career opportunities in the medical field. They even received some wonderful advice from the hospital’s nutrition program coordinator about keeping their body and mind in the best condition possible.
Finally, FLOCK is excited to be a partner with Camp Corral, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the children of wounded, ill, and fallen military service members by helping them test their limits, challenge their fears, celebrate their accomplishments, and make life affirming friendships that assure them they are not alone. FLOCK presented $25,000 to Camp Corral, which represented all proceeds from Carolinas Classic ticket sales and a generous donation from FLOCK. This will provide a camp experience for 25 kids this summer and firmly establish our multi-year commitment to Camp Corral. In addition, at the games, FLOCK honored the Bartlett family including two children of a wounded and medically discharged Army veteran and regular participants at a Camp Corral summer camp. The Bartletts will “build their own family adventure” funded by FLOCK.
Photos from the weekend events are available here.
Total scoring for the Boys’ teams:
South Carolina 118, North Carolina 99
SC: Montraivis White 12, Chrisean Oree 9, Sean Lindsey 9, Arden Conyers 10, Justin Britt 8, Malachi Stevens 9, Horace Jacques 24, Brandon Crawford 15, Jordan Butler 10, Avantae Parker 12
NC: Malachi McLean 15, Jacob Adair 3, Randall Pettus 9, Jah Short 6, Addison Archer 11, Collin Kuhl 3, Jack Voth 4, Trey Horton 20, James Scott 12, Elijah Strong 14
Most Outstanding Player – Montraivis White, Grey Collegiate Academy, West Columbia, SC
Total Scoring for the Girls’ team:
North Carolina 85, South Carolina 56
SC: Jessica Means 6, Jessica Woods 6, Alaina Nettles 5, Amiyah Ferguson 6, Dasia Ferguson 3, Yasmine Cook 2, Trinity Delaney 2, Kamari Thompson 14, P’eris Smith 5, Lindsay Garner 7
NC: Ally Hollifield 6, Nevaeh Farmer 19, Cassidy Geddes 4, Ka’Nyah O’Neal 9, Darrionna Howard 4, Kirsten Lewis-Williams 8, Caroline Thiel 12, Evangelia Paulk 8, Reychel Douglas 15
Most Outstanding Player – Nevaeh Farmer, North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville, NC