SportbasketballNCAA Basketball
LOCAL ROUNDUP: Panthers beat UIC in Boardwalk Battle
The High Point University Panthers just put on an absolute clinic in Daytona Beach, taking down UIC 90-80 in the first round of the Boardwalk Battle, and let me tell you, it was the Cam’Ron Fletcher show. The dude was unstoppable, dropping 27 points on a ridiculously efficient 9-of-12 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.It’s the kind of performance that makes you check the box score twice—this wasn't just a good game; it was a statement. The Panthers, now sitting pretty at 5-1, had a nail-biter of a first half, clinging to a slim 41-39 lead, but you could feel the momentum shifting.Then Chase Johnston decided to get in on the action, draining six threes on his way to 18 points, looking like a man possessed from beyond the arc. It’s the kind of shooting display that breaks a team's spirit, and when you add in Rob Martin’s 14 points and eight dimes, plus Scotty Washington’s 12 points, you’ve got a balanced offensive attack that’s a nightmare to defend.Sure, UIC had their moments, dominating the paint 46-28, but basketball in 2024 is a game of runs and three-pointers, and High Point’s 10 triples and a massive advantage at the foul line—they hit 30 of 37, while UIC managed only 17 of 24—were the difference-makers. Think about it: in a game where both teams shot well from the field (High Point at 46%, UIC at 49%), it’s the little things, the hustle plays, the defensive stops, and capitalizing on free throws that separate the contenders from the pretenders in these early-season tournaments.The Panthers stretched their lead to double digits just nine minutes into the second half, and though UIC clawed back to within eight late, High Point never really seemed in danger, showing a poise you love to see from a team building its resume for March. Next up is the tournament final against the University of the Incarnate Word, a chance to grab some hardware and build momentum before hosting Western Carolina on November 29th.Shifting gears to the local high school scene, it was a mixed bag of results. High Point Christian’s boys squad moved to 2-0 with a solid 61-55 win over New Garden Friends, powered by 17 points each from Sonne Williams and Jysen Seymore, the latter adding six steals for good measure.Meanwhile, Wesleyan Christian took a tough 71-54 L against Carmel Christian, though Nick Keith’s 25-point explosion is a silver lining for the Trojans. Over in Wallburg, Ledford’s boys kicked off their season with a 59-42 victory, while the girls fell 48-30.And in Troy, Wheatmore’s boys fought hard but came up short 50-44, with Avery Ivey leading the way with 12 points, though the girls squad dominated with a 48-13 win to start 1-0. On the mats, High Point Central wrestling had a rough go, falling 70-12 to Montgomery Central, with only Allen Dunn and Jaelyn Carlyle securing wins.The indoor track scene saw Southern Guilford’s boys finish fourth and Bishop McGuinness’ girls take eighth at the Northwest Cabarrus Invite, with standout performances like Iara Silvagnoli’s second-place finish in the girls 1000 meters and Taylor Price’s fifth in the girls 55 meters highlighting the local talent. And in a huge nod to local volleyball, Wesleyan Christian’s Nejari Crooks earned AVCA All-American honors—a massive achievement for the junior right-side hitter/setter who’s already committed to Penn State.With 405 kills, 104 aces, and 351 assists this season, she’s not just a star; she’s the engine that drove the Trojans to a 21-3 record and a deep playoff run, alongside teammates Gracie Kubis and Adele Veach who also made the AVCA’s Best and Brightest list. It’s a reminder that in sports, whether it’s a college tournament in Florida or a high school gym in Greensboro, the stories of grit, talent, and pure heart are what make following these games so addictive.
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#High Point Panthers
#UIC Flames
#Boardwalk Battle
#Cam'Ron Fletcher
#college basketball
#tournament final
