As the postseason heats up, local high school basketball teams in Martin County are making headlines with some impressive victories. The Washington boys basketball team recently triumphed over Ledford with a score of 76-51, marking their first advance to the fourth round of the playoffs in over two decades. This remarkable turnaround comes after a second-place finish in the Eastern Plains Conference last season, where they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. This year, Washington clinched the Three Rivers Conference title and made it to the third round before their recent victory.
Key players in Washington’s success include Shamierre Garris, Chaise Smith—who holds the title of the program’s all-time leading scorer—Zac Lovick, and Khalijal Waltower. The team is set to host Southwest Edgecombe in the fourth round on Monday in the 3A bracket.
Other Local Basketball Highlights
In another 3A boys game, Farmville Central continued their undefeated streak, defeating James Kenan 81-59, thanks to strong performances from Jordan James and KJ McLawhorn. They will host either Martin County or Wake Prep Academy next. Speaking of Martin County, they advanced with a commanding 65-36 victory, led by Jhymir Hollis and Zymere Ruffin.
Kinston also made waves with a significant win against West Bladen, finishing 88-59, highlighted by standout performances from Brennan Chambers, Jamarion Washington, and Keyshawn Herring. Kinston will host Northwood in their next matchup. In 1A boys basketball, Northside defeated Rocky Mount Prep 77-64, with contributions from Landon Moore, Memphis Keech, and Zimier Alexander. Northside is set to play at Southern Wake Academy on Monday.
In girls basketball, Pamlico achieved a solid victory over Franklin Academy, winning 52-31, with impactful plays from Nya Clark and Shaiera Jones. Pamlico will host Lakewood on Monday as well.
College Sports Updates
In women’s college basketball, East Carolina University ended a two-game losing streak with a 64-57 win against Charlotte. They have one more game at Tulsa before heading to the conference tournament. Meanwhile, ECU’s baseball team is off to a great start, winning 5-2 against Troy in Game 2 of the Keith LeClair Classic, marking their first weekend series win of the season. Colby Wallace had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The baseball team is set to host Western Carolina on Sunday at 3:30.
As the local teams continue their playoff runs, it’s essential to acknowledge the support and commitment from schools in the Beaufort County area. The Beaufort County Schools district adheres to Federal Law in administering education programs and employment activities, ensuring no discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. For any inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX or other regulations, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the District’s Title IX Coordinator or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. More details on the district’s policies can be found on their official website.
As the excitement builds around these local basketball teams making their mark in the postseason, the community rallies behind them, showcasing the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork that defines the heart of Martin County.