After setting a new record of 71 points in a single game, it may seem difficult for Paul McNeil Jr. to top his achievement. However, he wasted no time in impressing again as the No. 14 Raiders took on Pine Forest in the Jason Norton Classic, just one day after their victory against Lee County.

The loyal fans of the Raiders in Rockingham were able to witness their second achievement in two consecutive nights as McNeil reached his 2,000th point in a dominant 79-33 victory.

Signs displaying “2,000” and “P2 GOING FOR TWO” were scattered throughout the gymnasium, building anticipation. McNeil needed only 12 points to reach his goal for the night. He secured a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first quarter, reaching a total of 2,002 points. Currently, he has a total of 2,025 points.

He finished with a total of 37 points, increasing his two-day scoring average to 54 points per game and raising his season average to 33.1 points per game. He made 9 out of 22 shots (40.1 percent) from the field, breaking the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s record for most made field goals in his previous game with 28. He also made 6 out of 12 shots from 3-point range and was successful in 13 out of 16 free throw attempts.

Although he participated in a few games for Prolific Prep, a non-school team in California, at the beginning of his junior year, McNeil’s recorded stats are solely from his time playing for NCHSAA.

The tournament known as the Jason Norton Classic pays tribute to a dedicated educator, coach, and athletic director who served at both schools.

Javian Drake contributed 15 points and Braylon Barfield added 10 points for the Raiders (12-5), who held the second spot in the recent HighSchoolOT rankings for the 910 area code and ranked 14th in the state. The Trojans (8-7) have suffered three losses in their last four games.

Source: highschoolot.com