Basketball Recap: Cleveland Extends Winning Streak to Nine

Rams

Previous Games

12/28/24 vs South Johnston	64-48
12/27/24 vs Cape Fear Christian Academy	66-43
12/26/24 vs Nash Central	66-41
12/20/24 @ Middle Creek	53-49
12/19/24 vs Fuquay - Varina	81-61
+ 4 more games

Cleveland had already won eight in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 19.9 points) and they went ahead and made it nine on Saturday. They wrapped up 2024 with a 64-48 win over the South Johnston Trojans. Given the Rams' advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 71st, while the Trojans are ranked 277th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Cleveland's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from James Harris, who posted 18 points and five boards. Rodney Poston was another key player, dropping a double-double on ten points and 11 assists.

Cleveland was working as a unit and finished the game with 19 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as South Johnston only posted ten assists.

Several Trojans players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Kellen Smith, who put up nine points. The team also got some help courtesy of Cole Norris, who went 5 of 11 on his way to 13 points and six rebounds.

Cleveland's victory bumped their record up to 10-1. As for South Johnston, their loss dropped their record down to 6-5.

Cleveland wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 75-40 win against Corinth Holders on the 3rd. As for South Johnston, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 60-32 defeat against C.B. Aycock on the 7th.