Weddington senior has a classic Saturday in all-star game

Grant Hamilton’s philosophy is to make the most of a good day.

“If the shots are falling, I really like to get the ball in my hands,” Hamilton told The Observer earlier this season.

The shots were falling Saturday for Hamilton, a Weddington senior and Roanoke College commit who set a record while pouring in 33 points at the annual Carolinas Classic All-Star Game in Wilmington.

His shooting helped North Carolina pull away in the second half for a 100-91 victory over South Carolina.

In the girls’ all-star game, South Carolina outscored North Carolina 6-0 in the final 52 seconds and posted an 81-77 come-from-behind victory.

In both cases, the winning team snapped a three-game losing streak.

The games, played at Hoggard High, are basketball’s version of football’s Shrine Bowl — a match-up of the top players in each state.

South Carolina took a 22-17 first-quarter lead in the boys’ contest, but the Tar Heels battled back and led 41-34 at halftime.

North Carolina maintained a lead of five to seven points through much of the third quarter, but the Palmetto State stars closed to 54-52 on a 3-pointer by Will Fowler of Byrnes High with about four minutes left.

North Carolina led 56-54 with 3:06 remaining, when the Tar Heels went on a 13-2 run. That included a pair of 3-pointers from Hamilton and three baskets from Richard Goods of Grimsley High. That put North Carolina up 69-56.

In the fourth quarter, every time South Carolina threatened, Hamilton or Myers Park’s Sir Mohammed was there to answer with a 3-pointer.

When it all was over, Hamilton connected on nine 3-pointers, setting a record for the all-star classic, which has been played annually (except 2020 and ‘21) since 1998.

Isaiah Evans, who played a key role in leading North Mecklenburg to the 4A state championship last weekend, added 19 points for the Tar Heels. Also in double figures were Maurio Hanson (Chambers) with 13; Bishop Boswell (Myers Park) with 12; and Juke Harris (Salisbury) with 10.

Lexington’s Cam Scott led South Carolina with 21 points.

GIRLS’ GAME

North Carolina seemed headed for its fourth straight victory, as it raced to a 21-10 first-quarter lead and a 42-27 halftime advantage.

The Tar Heels still led 64-52 after three quarters, but South Carolina began chipping away.

North Carolina led 75-68 with 3:32 left, but the Palmetto stars went on a 7-0 run and tied the game with 1:09 left. That included two free throws by South Pointe’s Victoria Star Morris.

Cape Fear’s Jayda Angel made two free throws with 52 seconds left, giving the Tar Heels a 77-75 lead. But South Carolina scored the game’s final six points, including a go-ahead free throw by Carvers Bay’s Jerchel Geathers with 34 seconds to play.

A.C. Flora’s Terriana Gray was named the game’s most valuable player after scoring 10 points,

Morris scored 13 for South Carolina.

Mallard Creek’s Lillian Booker scored seven points, and Myers Park’s Jerin Truesdale had five. Angel led the Tar Heels with 24.

GIRLS’ GAME

South Carolina 10 17 25 29 — 81

North Carolina 21 21 22 13 — 77

SOUTH CAROLINA — Terriana Gray (A.C. Flora) 10; Frierson (Hartsville) 0; Crosky (Sumter) 2; McGowans (Wren) 9; Bradley (Aiken) 2; Ford (Lake View) 8; Drakeford (Ridge View) 9; Victoria Star Morris (South Pointe) 13; Quinasia Abercrombie (Wade Hampton) 16; Jerchel Geathers (Carvers Bay) 12.

NORTH CAROLINA — Jayda Angel (Cape Fear) 24; Hardison (Southwest Onslow) 2; Booker (Mallard Creek) 7; Lauren Arnold (West Rowan) 12; Lewis (Rolesville) 4; Mills (Pisgah) 2; Taborn (Franklinton) 8; Truesdale (Myers Park) 5; Hilman (Wake Forest) 0; Joi Pergerson (Middle Creek) 13.

BOYS’ GAME

South Carolina 22 12 26 33 — 91

North Carolina 17 24 30 38 — 100

SOUTH CAROLINA — Cam Scott (Lexington) 21; Jaxon Prunty (Lexington) 13; Smith (Summerville) 5; Ellis Graham (Gray Collegiate) 11; Braylhan Thomas (Gray Collegiate) 10; Atkinson (Lower Richland) 2; Fowler (Byrnes) 8; Pretty (Ridge View) 8; Iturbe (Riverside) 3; Justin Ray (Eastside) 10.

NORTH CAROLINA — Carson Daniel (Central Cabarrus ) 2; Chase Daniel (Central Cabarrus) 4; Isaiah Evans (North Mecklenburg) 19; Grant Hamilton (Weddington) 33; Mohammed (Myers Park) 3; Juke Harris (Salisbury) 10; Fulton (Westover) 4; Bishop Boswell (Myers Park) 12; Maurio Hanson (Chambers) 13; Goods (Grimsley) 9.