One last time: Northside’s OJ Cahoon plays final high school game in showcase

Published 11:31 am Thursday, April 3, 2025

By Jason O. Boyd

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GREENVILLE, N.C. — It had been roughly a month since Olivia Jane (OJ) Cahoon had put on a game jersey and played in a high school basketball game.

The Northside High School girls’ team made it to the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs before falling at home to North Duplin. It ended an incredible season that saw the Panthers go 26-2, win the Coastal Plains Conference regular season and tournament title and win 17 straight games before the loss.

It turns out it wasn’t Cahoon’s very last high school game.

She had accepted an invitation to play in the Clash of the Area Codes, an all-star day of basketball where she was one of the members of the 252 team. Boys and girls all-star teams from the 336, 919, 910 and 252 area codes squared off at J.H. Rose High School.

The 252 girls team beat the 910 team early Saturday to reach the finals, where they fell 66-64 to the 336 squad. Cahoon finished with two points, a block, a steal and an assist for the 252 team. She picked up two fouls in the first half after entering the game with 2:44 left in the first quarter.

“I think it was a great opportunity to play with some girls that knew the game, and a lot of them are going to college to play like me,” Cahoon said. “So I just think I took the opportunity to have fun and take advantage of playing with experienced girls.”

It was part of a very busy week — something she’ll see a lot of when she attends and plays for Roanoke College this fall. The team was able to meet on March 23 at Perquimans High School to hold practice. She also took part in an FBLA state event, took part in Northside’s basketball awards and participated in an away track meet.

When she took the court, she looked like the same talented guard Northside fans have grown to enjoy watching play. She was aggressive on defense, even after picking up the two first-half fouls, helped push the ball up the court, took a few shots and distributed the ball to her teammates who had better looks at the basket.

“We talked a little bit, and she knows it’s just a great opportunity just to work on some skills and get an opportunity to play with girls on the same level as her,” Northside coach Michelle Leathers said. “With the time that she had, you know, she was able to maximize what she needed to do.

“Yeah, I think it was great, you know, the opportunity to come and play a little bit, showcase some skills. But, it was an honor. It’s a great, great opportunity.”

The 252 team trailed by double digits early in the second quarter but rallied to tie the game at 27-27 at the half. She saw a bit more time in the second half, getting a jump ball on one play and converting a steal and a block on two other plays.

“Yeah, I think, you know, just playing that first game, first game in the morning, and then sitting a while, we just kind of had to get our legs back flowing,” said 252 coach Aaron Burke, who coaches the girls’ team at Perquimans High School.

“Right there, towards the end of the second quarter, we kind of got our legs back together and ended up tying the game at halftime. So, from there, it was a back-and-forth game.”

So while the outcome didn’t go as the 252 team had hoped — the 336 squad rallied late for the win — it was a good opportunity to play with some incredible college talent and get a glimpse of what life will be like once Cahoon enters college.

“Yeah, for sure,” Cahoon said. “It just adds to it.”

Burke, who led Perquimans to the Class 1A state finals, recognized Cahoon’s talent and knows she’ll do well at the next level based on his experience with her leading up to the two games the 252 team played.

“Overall, she’s a hard-working young lady, plays good team ball. I mean, she’s what a coach asks for, you know. Just somebody that loves the game and, you know, is gonna give it all every second she’s on the floor.”

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