Philip Simmons 50 – High Point 46
by Chris Dearing
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
- Afman Hopper scored 15 points and Philip Simmons made 6-of-8 free throws in the final 1:33 to deliver the Iron Horses their first boys basketball state championship with a 50-46 win over High Point Wednesday afternoon.
- “It is unbelievable. This is our ninth year, and we started from the very bottom and to come here and cap it off with this crowd,” Philip Simmons coach Garrett Campbell said. “The Iron Horse community, Iron Hose nation, student section, fans, family and our community rallied around this group, this special group to finish up the season. I am at a loss for words. It is unreal.”
- The biggest lead in the second half by either team was a five-point cushion, 46-41 by Philip Simmons with 1:33 remaining. High Point got within two points, 46-44 after a three-pointer by Joc Miller with 1:11 remaining but Parker Driggers and Hoffman made three-of-four free throws in the final 16 seconds to seal the win.
- Philip Simmons (21-7) has only been in existence for nine years. High Point won a state title in 2019 in Class A.
- High Point (28-3) jumped to an 8-0 lead to open the game and led by nine on several occasions, the final time at 25-16 before the Iron Horses closed the first half on a 14-1 run to take a 30-26 lead at the half.
- Dylan Morris added 13 points and Gavin Johnson chipped six points but more importantly grabbed eight rebounds for the Iron Horses. Miller led the Grizzles with 15 points and J’sean Sanders scored 14 points but fouled out in the closing minute.