Generational boys, girls high school basketball talent gathers for John Wall tournament
North Carolina Tar Heel and N.C. State Wolfpack fans may see a glimpse of their women’s and men’s basketball futures at this week’s John Wall Holiday Invitational at Broughton High School and Peace University.
This year’s 51st tournament edition includes arguably North Carolina’s strongest collection of high school women’s and men’s basketball talent in one graduating class (2024) in a generation. At least three in-state women’s and men’s 12th graders each can make strong All-American cases.
Speaking of a strong, powerful pivot presence, 6-foot-2 Sarah Strong – the country’s top-ranked (by multiple entities), still uncommitted women’s prospect – will lead Sanford’s Grace Christian (12-0) in its Frances Pulley Bracket championship pursuit Friday and Saturday at Peace. Strong is averaging 19 points and 17 rebounds per game.
Wednesday’s women’s opener (10:30 a.m. at Peace) is a reunion of last season’s N.C. 4A state quarterfinal. Charlotte Catholic (9-0), which won that game, includes Blanca Thomas. The 6-foot-5 Chapel Hill-bound center leads the Cougars with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots per game. Watauga (8-1) will counter with 5-foot-9 junior guard Kate Sears (18 points, six rebounds and assists each per game).
At 4:30 p.m., Zamareya Jones, a 5-foot-8 guard headed to NC State, will lead North Pitt (5-1) versus Rolesville (7-1). Jones is averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and steals each per game.
Jones and another future Wolfpacker, Richmond Senior men’s standout Paul McNeil, both have legitimate opportunities to realize “50-40-90” seasons. Each aforementioned two-digit figure represents two-point, three-point, and free throw shooting percentages respectively.
McNeil leads the 4A state runner-up Raiders with 32 points per game. He is within reach of the 36 points per game season average posted in 1990-91 by previous Garner standout Donald Williams (who went on to the Tar Heels and 1993 Final Four MVP honors). Williams held the Invitational single tournament scoring record (three games) from 1990-2017. Richmond will meet Jordan in its Thursday, December 28 (2 p.m.) tournament opener at Broughton.
Immediately thereafter at 3:30 p.m., future Tar Heel Drake Powell – a 6-foot-6 wing like McNeil – will lead last season’s N.C. 3A state runner-up Northwood (now competing in the 2A classification) versus Orange. Powell makes his case as the state’s top all-around player with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game.
Speaking of 2A, the third game (at 5 p.m.) among Thursday’s three top matchups is the sequel to last year’s 2A state final, Farmville Central versus Reidsville. Both teams are undefeated with four double figures scorers, and a fifth scorer contributing at least eight points per game.
Farmville Central won last year’s basketball state championship. Reidsville’s top five scorers, though, have a state championship of their own this year. The quintet played for the Rams’ football titlist.
Reidsville sophomore center Kendre Harrison (6-foot-7, 230 pounds) holds football and basketball scholarship offers from NC State. Harrison (14 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocked shots per game) is the nephew of previous Wolfpack basketball player C.C. Harrison, who led Reidsville to the 1993-94 N.C. 3A basketball state championship.
A third senior men’s all-American distinction could be earned by someone among the sizeable backcourt of reigning 4A state champion Myers Park (Charlotte). Bishop Boswell (6-foot-4) and Sir Mohammed (6-foot-6) have signed with Tennessee and Notre Dame, respectively, and are two of the Mustangs’ three top 100 players.
Myers Park’s 6-foot-9 junior Sadiq White is among the state’s highly regarded Class of 2025, along with the likes of fellow Invitational participants Colt Langdon (6-foot-7, Millbrook) and Jackson Keith (6-foot-5, Southern Durham).
