West Stanly men earn share of RRC basketball championship

Published 7:28 pm Thursday, February 18, 2021

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The West Stanly men’s basketball team earned an honor for the school the program had only accomplished four times previously.

By finishing the regular season 8-1 in the Rocky River Conference, the Colts earned a co-championship in the RRC for the first time since 2002.

The Colts finished tied with the Forest Hills Yellow Jackets with matching 8-1 conference records. The Jackets ended the Colts 10-game win streak Tuesday night, then earned an 84-54 win Wednesday night versus Anson County to finish 8-1 in the RRC.

Both teams were scheduled to play Mount Pleasant, but the Tigers’ season ended early when the team had to go into quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols.

Winning the title “means a lot, especially in this shortened season,” West Stanly head coach John Thompson said.

“Our conference is so tough every year,” he added. “This group has worked so hard, especially the seniors, and they have immense pride in their school. I’m just really happy for these young men.”

The Colts and the Jackets will play a tie-breaking game Friday at 6 p.m. at a neutral site, Piedmont High School, to see which team earns the No. 1 seed from the RRC and a home game in the first round of the state playoffs.

Brackets for the state playoffs are expected to be released Sunday.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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