Unquestioned leaders, notable milestones, unbelievable stat lines and historic runs — the 2015 Washington Daily News All-County Basketball Teams feature some of the top talent in recent memory, players who not only contributed mightily to their respective squads, but some who garnered national attention as well.

From 6-foot-9 to 5-foot-8, the teams draw the best players from the six high school basketball programs in the county — Washington, Northside, Southside, Terra Ceia, Pungo and TEACH. Selections are based primarily on season statistics, but also take leadership and the team’s overall success into account.

 

WASHINGTON

The Pam Pack ever so slightly improved in its second season in Class 2-A and the Eastern Plains Conference, digging itself out of the basement and finishing in fifth place with a 2-8 EPC record (both wins over last-place North Johnston). Carried by senior point guard John Whitley, Washington, despite the team’s pedestrian record, made some noise early in the season with a win over Ayden-Grifton, a 10-point loss to Northside and a competitive seven-point loss to first-place Farmville Central that came down to the final minute. But closing the season 4-15, the Pam Pack’s lengthy playoff drought only continued.

For first-year coach Jon Scharpenberg, it was a tale of two halves for the Lady Pack. Washington ripped through the month of December, going 5-1 leading up to Eastern Plains Conference play. But when the ball dropped in Times Square to signal the New Year, the Pam Pack’s record plummeted with it, losing 11 of the season’s final 13 games to finish 7-12, last place.

 

NORTHSIDE

For the first time in years, the Northside boys’ basketball team got to taste the bright lights of Fayetteville, making it all the way to the eastern regional championship, a run that featured a win over the No. 2-seeded Voyager Academy in the section final.

While the Panthers season came to an end at the hands of Coastal Plains Conference rival East Carteret, the team finished 21-5 for a second-straight season, the third campaign for national standout Edrice “Bam” Adebayo. In an upgraded conference, however, the Panthers clawed their way to a third-place finish with an 8-4 record.

The Lady Panthers finished below the .500 mark (7-13), once again, but managed to steal one of the final at-large bids of the 1-A state tournament bracket. The team fell to Roxboro Community in the first round as a No. 31 seed, but put up a valiant fight down the stretch. Led by seniors Alex Adams and Kelsey Lang, Northside finished fifth in a competitive Coastal Plains Conference with a 4-8 record.

 

SOUTHSIDE

Top to bottom, one of the most talented teams in Seahawk history was often overlooked, competing in one of the toughest 1-A tables in the state, but Southside held its own, finishing 13-8 and in fourth place with a 7-5 mark. Despite a few competitive games, the Seahawks were never able to knock off the eventual state champion Mariners or CPC runner-up Pamlico County, but Southside did manage a win over Adebayo and the Panthers.

After losing a few key pieces to graduation, it was undoubtedly a rebuilding year for the Lady Seahawks, finishing 4-16 and sixth in the Coastal Plains Conference with a 3-9 record. However, the team did come through with a few impressive showings down the stretch, including wins over Jones Senior and Columbia. Southside was led by freshman Symone Ruffin, who led the team in scoring.

 

TERRA CEIA

Boys:

Record: 24-5 (11-2 Tarheel Independent Conference)

Accolades: Second-place regular season finish; TIC Tournament runner-up

Girls:

Record: 15-10 (9-3 Tarheel Independent Conference)

Accolades: Second-place regular season finish

 

PUNGO

Boys:

Record: 9-11 (7-5 Tarheel Independent Conference)

Accolades: Fourth-place regular season finish

Girls:

Record: 4-16 (3-9 Tarheel Independend Conference)

Accolades: Fifth-place regular season finish

 

 

FIRST TEAM — BOYS

G – RASHAUN MOORE, SR., SOUTHSIDE

At 5-foot-10, Moore was the complete offensive package for the Seahawks, athletically driving the lane and shooting a high percentage from the outside when needed. His 20.8 points per game led his team and was the second highest point total for guards in the county. He also averaged 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game.

G – JOHN WHITLEY, SR., WASHINGTON

Leading the Pam Pack in virtually every offensive category, Whitley was the most productive shooter from behind the arch in the county, shooting 51 percent from range. He finished the season averaging 16.1 points and 1.3 boards a game, while also providing a defensive constant for head coach Steven Flowers. Against Northside on Dec. 20, the senior guard dropped a career-high 29 points in a losing effort.

G – AVERY BOWEN, SO., TEACH

While flying under the radar, Bowen brought an intensity to the court that went unmatched, leading the Trailblazers to another successful season on the hardwood. The sophomore standout averaged 24.3 points, 3.6 boards and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 72 percent from the line, a place Bowen spent a lot of time this season, consistently drawing fouls to extending games.

G – DONSHAE MILLER, SR., SOUTHSIDE

Coming off a season where he averaged 19 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.2 steals per game, Miller assumed a new role in the dribble-drive offense this season, allowing Moore to pick up most of the scoring duties. But the consistency in all areas remained for Miller, a senior, who was widely regarded as the county’s clutchest player. He finished the season averaging 15.9 points, 3.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and three blocks per game.

F – TYLER HENDRIX, SO., TERRA CEIA

After putting on a couple pounds of muscle in the offseason, Hendrix transformed from a middle-of-the-road shooting guard into a physical threat inside the paint. He was the most integral piece to the Knights’ 24 wins, averaging a double-double — 19 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. He also finished the season averaging 4.3 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks.

F – EDRICE ADEBAYO, JR., NORTHSIDE

A five-star recruit according to ESPN, Adebayo did not disappoint in 2015. The Northside junior dominated 1-A opponents in the paint and his 32.2 points and 21 rebounds per game led all NCHSAA players in North Carolina, among all classes. Adebayo’s added mobility and spin moves are a definite upgrade compared to last season and make him an even more attractive Division I collegiate prospect moving forward.

 

SECOND TEAM — BOYS

G – QUENTIN VAN ESSENDELFT, SO., TERRA CEIA

G – IKEEM GREENE, JR., NORTHSIDE

G – WILL RESPESS, JR., PUNGO

G – DALTON ETHERIDGE, SR., NORTHSIDE

C – DONSHAE TATUM, JR., SOUTHSIDE

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS — BOYS

G – REGGIE SLADE, SR., NORTHSIDE

G – AUSTIN ROSCOE, SO., TERRA CEIA

G – AZIM ANTHONY, SR., WASHINGTON

F – TYRIEK GASKINS, SR., SOUTHSIDE

F – CHASE FURLOUGH, JR., TERRA CEIA

 

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FIRST TEAM — GIRLS

G – ALEX ADAMS, SR., NORTHSIDE

G – SYMONE RUFFIN, FR., SOUTHSIDE

G – REBECCA HARRISON, JR., TERRA CEIA

F – ABBY WALKER, SR., WASHINGTON

C – TAYLOR MANN, JR., PUNGO

 

SECOND TEAM — GIRLS

G – ANGELICA TISDALE, SR., SOUTHSIDE

G – MACY MORGAN, SO., PUNGO

F – APRIL OLDS, SR., SOUTHSIDE

F – RACHEL LANG, SO., NORTHSIDE

C – RAGAN LEFEVER, SR., TERRA CEIA

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS — GIRLS

G – TAYLOR NEWMAN, SR., TERRA CEIA

G/F – MEREDITH WOOLARD, SO., TEACH

G/F – KELSEY LANG, SR., NORTHSIDE

F – SHONA MIDGETTE, SR., WASHINGTON

F – GIBSEN ARMSTRONG, SR., PUNGO