RALEIGH, N.C. – Buzzer-beating shots and overtime heroics were not needed, but Reidsville got the best Farmville Central in one of North Carolina’s budding basketball rivalries for a third consecutive meeting.

Dionte Neal knocked down 15 of 17 free throw attempts to lead the Rams in an 85-78 victory over the Jaguars in the John Wall Holiday Invitational opening round at Broughton High School.

Farmville Central took down Reidsville in the 2023 2A State Championship game, but the Rams have since won twice at the Holiday Invitational, with a thrilling 2024 2A title sandwiched in between.

Like last December’s showdown, an early Reidsville run was too much for the Jaguars to overcome.

Johnniyus Sharpe helped lift the Rams to a 23-9 lead through one. Farmville Central’s M.J. Williams answered with a big second quarter to narrow the gap to 37-31 at the half.

Williams led all scorers with 31 points, 15 of which came in the first two periods.

Reidsville’s front court saved its best for the second half. Kendre Harrison went 5-of-7 from the field over the final 16 minutes while Kristian Scales stepped out and buried 3-of-8 three-point attempts.

Harrison and Scales combined for 28 points and 20 rebounds. Neal led the Rams with 25 and Sharpe added 22.

On Saturday evening, Reidsville will play Caldwell Academy in the tournament’s Day’Ron Sharpe Bracket semi-final. Caldwell defeated Davidson Day 64-53 on Thursday afternoon.

BOX SCORE

REID 23-14-22-26 85

FCEN 9-22-24-23  78

SCORING

REID- Neal 25, Sharpe 22, Harrison 14, Scales 14, Gwynn 4, Jones 4, Tynes 2

FCEN- Williams 31, Crandell 20, Honey 8, B. Dixon 6, Johnson 6, Shepard 4, J. Dixon 2, Phillips 2

John Wall Holiday Invitational Scores

Day’Ron Sharpe Boys Bracket

• Reidsville 85, Farmville Central 78
• Caldwell Academy 64, Davidson Day 53
• St. Anne’s Belfield (VA) 76, Greenfield 44
• Broughton 52, Ravenscroft 43

Coby White Boys Bracket

• Highland School (VA) 61, Millbrook 53
• John Marshall (VA) 70, Clayton 44
• Southern Durham vs. Sidwell Friends (DC): Friday 12:30 PM
• Green Level vs. Westchester (CA): Friday 2:00 PM

Morgan Stanley Boys Bracket

• Garner 63, Washington 52
• Word of God (NC) vs. Cold Hearts (OTE): Friday 8:00 PM

T.J. Warren Boys Bracket

• Christ School vs. Knightdale: Friday 3:30 PM
• GRACE Christian vs. Northern Nash: Friday 6:30 PM

Wonderland Girls Bracket

• Rolesville 65, South Central 53
• Grace Christian of Sanford 54, Terry Sanford 46
• Cannon School vs. South Garner: Friday 1:30 PM
• South Shore (NY) vs. Princess Anne (VA): Friday 3:00 PM

Frances Pulley Girls Bracket

• DME Academy (FL) vs. Deep Creek (VA): Friday 12:00 PM
• Mallard Creek vs. Bullis School (MD): Friday 6:00 PM

Drew Effect Girls Bracket

• S3 Academy (VA) 93, Ravenscroft 25
• NC Good Better Best Academy (NC) vs. Oak City Prep (NC): Friday 10:30 AM

Girls Showcase Games

• Deep Creek (VA) 72, Hillside 13
• Mallard Creek 59, NC Good Better Best Academy (NC) 46
• Bishop McGuinness vs. Fairmont: Friday 4:30 PM
• Fairmont vs. 1 of 1 Academy (NC): Saturday 3:00 PM
• Grace Christian of Sanford vs. S3 Academy (VA): Saturday 4:30 PM
• Watauga vs. 1 of 1 Academy (NC): Monday 1:30 PM