Paul McNeil Jr has set a new record for the highest single-game scoring in NCHSAA, surpassing the previous record that had remained unbeaten for 74 years.
After 74 years, a long-standing and hard-to-reach record in N.C. High School Athletic Association boys basketball has finally been broken.
On Tuesday evening, Paul McNeil Jr., a senior at Richmond High School and a future player for N.C. State, achieved a score of 71 points in a game against Lee County, resulting in a 118-52 victory. This surpasses the previous record set in 1950 by Bob Poole from Clayton, who scored 88 points in a game against the original Corinth Holders High School, with a final score of 88-27.
There have been only nine other players who have scored over 60 points.
The list includes Poole’s previous record of 67, Eastern Alamance’s JamesOn Curry with 65 in 2004, North Surry’s David Smith with 65 in 1967, Jones’ Janari Hill with 64 in 2017, Chambers High’s Cam Hamilton with 63 in 2017, now-defunct Nakina’s Jeff Ward with 63 in 1982, Isaiah Evans with 62 in 2023, West Forsyth’s Chris Paul with 61 in 2002, and Wake Forest’s John Byrne with 60 in 1968.
Curry is the NCHSAA’s all-time career leading scorer. Evans, like McNeil, is still active — both are seniors playing in their final high school seasons. Chris Paul is one of the best NBA point guards of all-time. Byrne later became mayor of Fuquay-Varina.
The Richmond Observer reported that McNeil Jr. scored 35 points in the first half and 56 points by the end of the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, the score is 99 for Richmond and 35 for Lee County in the BBB basketball game. @PaulMcneilJr achieved a new personal best with this three-point shot, bringing his total points to 52 and surpassing his previous record of 50 points.
He’s got 56 points through three quarters. 🔥 #ROSports pic.twitter.com/igEgf9O2X1
— RO Sports 🔰 (@ROSports_) January 17, 2024
Records for the highest individual scoring in a single NCHSAA game.
- Paul McNeil Jr., Richmond — 71 (2024)
- Bob Poole, Clayton — 67 (1950)
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JamesOn Curry, a player from Eastern Alamance, scored 65 points in the year 2004.
- David Smith, North Surry — 65 (1967)
- Janari Hill, Jones — 64 (2017)
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The teams of Cam Hamilton, Chambers and Jeff Ward, and Nakina tied with a score of 63 in both 2017 and 1982.
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Isaiah Evans from North Mecklenburg scored 62 points in 2023.
- Chris Paul, West Forsyth — 61 (2002)
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John Byrne from Wake Forest scored 60 points in 1968.
Source: highschoolot.com