GARNER, N.C. — Garner hasn’t lost since the calendar turned from 2024 to 2025, but Monday’s win to stay atop the Greater Neuse River Conference was marred by an apparent serious injury to one of its top players.

Garner junior Geren Holmes left the 62-54 win over visiting Cleveland early after coming down awkwardly after a Cleveland player took a charge in the fourth quarter. Holmes, favoring his forearm, was ushered out of the gymnasium for medical attention and did not return.

The Trojans, ranked 21st in the latest statewide top 25, led 30-28 at halftime as Cleveland’s Jabari Green made a nothing-but-net halfcourt heave to cut the lead to one possession.

But a quick Garner run to start the third quarter made sure the game was never that close again.

The Trojans got a game-high 21 points from Cam’Ren Reyes. Holmes had 13 before his injury, and Kingston Beale added 10.

Garner (15-2, 7-0) is undefeated through 50 percent of the conference schedule but, due to weather-related postponements, has already swept South Garner and hasn’t yet played Corinth Holders.

Cleveland (13-3, 4-2), which has league losses now to Garner and Willow Spring, has yet to play rival Clayton, which has just one GNRC loss.

The Rams were led by Green’s 12 points (all 3s) and 19 from Chris Tsolenyanu.

Scoring Summary
Garner — Cam’Ren Reyes 21, Cairo Hines 7, Geren Holmes 13, Kingston Beale 10, Allen Davis 3, Ghabrial Scott 3, A.J. Randle 2, Darius Whitner 3.
Cleveland — Rodney Poston 2; Trey Atkinson 9, Jabari Green 12, James Harris 8, Chris Tsolenyanu 19, T-jay Brunson 4.