Weekend Warriors: High School Hoops and Wrestling Shine

After a brief Thanksgiving break, high school athletics kicked back into gear with basketball and wrestling taking center stage. The Phenom Hoops' 8th annual Hoops & Dreams Showcase, sponsored by Lucas-Moore Realty, brought together 14 teams from the Fayetteville area for a two-day event packed with standout performances. Let's talk about the standout players. Azariah Brunson, a senior forward from E. E. Smith, made her mark with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a victory over Rolesville. Meanwhile, Justin Caldwell from Fayetteville Academy showcased his scoring prowess, dropping 34 points and securing 11 rebounds in a single game. Freedom Christian's James Ferguson was a force to be reckoned with on the boards, tallying an impressive 29 rebounds over two games. His performance included a notable outing with 15 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 assists against Overhills. Over at Gray's Creek, wrestler Thomas 'Braeden' Fulmore made quick work of his opponent, pinning Louisburg Magnet's Owen Leapley in just 17 seconds. Douglas Byrd's MJ McDuffie and Jack Britt's Deriyan Mitchell both averaged 22. 5 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing their consistency and skill. Mason Walker from Terry Sanford had a stellar game, scoring 21 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. Despite a loss, Bryce West from Freedom Christian put on a shooting clinic, scoring 33 points and making six three-pointers against Terry Sanford. Voting for the 910Preps Athlete of the Week is open until December 4th at 6 p. m. If you or your athlete have been nominated, don't forget to send a headshot photo to jfmoore@usatodayco. com when casting your vote.