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Playing in his last home game, the Bulldogs’ E.J. Abrams-Ward cemented his legend as one of the best dunkers to ever come through Thomasville High School. In the final quarter of their 69-39 blowout over the Mount Airy Bears in the NCHSAA 1-A sectional finals Friday night, Abrams-Ward, much like he did in the same game a year ago, electrified the home crowd with three arena-shaking dunks that has come to signify the star’s high school career.
“They came out talking trash, talking like they were ready for Thomasville,” Abrams-Ward said. “They came in our house and we had to represent. We aren’t going to take no disrespect from nobody. We just want to make a statement from here on out. This was personal for me.”
What was supposed to be a tightly contested slobber-knocker turned out to be nothing of the sorts as Thomasville (20-2) made sure a replay of the Bulldogs’ 2006 sectional final defeat to the same Bears club never materialized. After falling behind 7-3 midway through the opening quarter, THS found another gear and left Mount Airy (26-3) in its dust. Over the next eight minutes, the Bulldogs outscored the Bears 28-2 and went into halftime leading 35-15.
“I’m not over it yet myself,” said THS coach Woody Huneycutt. “I saw them last night against East Montgomery and I came back apprehensive. I knew we could play with them. I knew we would have to do it with our speed and quickness. Our pressure was so intense. Guys were all over the place. We gave them very few looks.”
Mount Airy had severe trouble matching Thomasville’s intensity, especially on the defensive end where the Bulldogs played at a frenetic pace. THS held the Bears to only six baskets in the first half, including a field goal drought of 8:15.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs scored at will in transition. Out of THS’ 13 first half baskets, all but three came from outside the paint — Quinton Lindsay and Dominque Pickett both hit 3s and Abrams-Ward knocked down a 16-foot jumper.
“I went to go watch them play last night,” Pickett said. “I knew what to expect from them. I knew they would come in here and try to run with us, but I knew the gym would be packed and it would be hot, and I didn’t think they could survive in here.”
Abrams-Ward and fellow senior Donald Simms made sure that the Bulldogs’ season wasn’t going to end as it did two years ago. Abrams-Ward unleashed eight of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter with Simms flying up the court running the fast-break. This wasn’t just a two-man show, however, as seven different players scored for the locals.
With the game in hand, the real show broke out in the fourth quarter. It took a total of 40 seconds into the final frame before Pickett, playing the role of Simms against Bishop-McGuiness a year ago, picked off a pass at mid-court, took a step and heaved a lob towards the THS basket where Abrams-Ward swooped in from above, caught the ball and thundered home a dunk that got everyone’s attention. Less than two minutes later, Abrams-Ward needed no help as he drove the lane and threw down a right-handed lightning bolt only a fool would try and stop. And for good measure, Pickett found Superman once again flying down the right sideline resulting in the third and final chapter of dunk night at the Apollo.
“We’re just setting the tone,” said Abrams-Ward. “We want them to know that we ain’t going nowhere, no matter what’s the score or how much time is left on the clock. I told the guys earlier this week that this wasn’t going to be a close game. I told the team that if we just play Thomasville basketball we’ll blow them out of the water.”
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 233, or at eliotduke@hotmail.com.