Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Ben L. Smith Golden Eagles outlasted Southern School of Energy and Sustainability in overtime on Friday night at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to win its first NCHSAA Basketball Championship in school history.
In the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Smith’s Tayshawn Mann hit a driving layup to tie the score, and on the following play, Southern’s A.J. Morman Jr. drove to the bucket at the buzzer, but his layup attempt missed, forcing the extra frame.
Smith junior Jyi Dawkins broke the ice in overtime, and Smith opened up a five-point lead. In the final minute, the Spartans whittled the lead down to just one with 12 seconds left after a Jackson Keith layup.
Dawkins was fouled and made both of his attempts, giving him 29 points in the game and setting up the decisive play. Morman’s final 3-point attempt rattled out, and the Golden Eagles iced the game at the other end at the free-throw line.
Keith made a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the game had already been decided.
Dawkins was named the Charlie Adams Most Valuable Player of the Championship. Kenny Miller Jr., who added 13 points and five rebounds, was named the West MVP.
For Southern, Morman finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, and he was given the East MVP Award. Keith also scored 23 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
The NCHSAA has partnered with the North Carolina Farm Bureau to award a pair of Sportsmanship Awards at each championship event, recognizing players who have demonstrated the ideals of outstanding character and sportsmanship throughout the 2024-25 season. The winners of the 3A Men’s Basketball N.C. Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards were Jakari Glaspie from Southern Durham and Tashawn Mann from Ben L. Smith.
