High School Sports

NC high school basketball team gains strength from 103-point loss

By Robert Willett and Travis Long

Updated February 4, 2021 2:23 PM

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. goes over video of the team’s previous game as they prepare to play Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. goes over video of the team’s previous game as they prepare to play Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warrenton, N.C.

After losing to a rival by a record-setting 103 points earlier in the 2021 season, the Warren County, N.C. high school boys basketball team is learning a lot about never giving up during the time of COVID. Check out photos and video from their story.

Rocky Carter and his teammates on the Warren County High School basketball team put on their winter coats after changing into their game uniforms to watch the conclusion of the girls game at the John Graham Gym on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The high school teams are playing their home games at John Graham while their school gym is renovated. — Rocky Carter and his teammates on the Warren County High School basketball team put on their winter coats after changing into their game uniforms to watch the conclusion of the girls game at the John Graham Gym on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The high school teams are playing their home games at John Graham while their school gym is renovated. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County’s Aaron Bolton (15) drives to the basket during game against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County’s Aaron Bolton (15) drives to the basket during game against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County’s T.J. Williams (10) displays fatigue and frustration as the Eagles fall behind by double digits to Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County’s T.J. Williams (10) displays fatigue and frustration as the Eagles fall behind by double digits to Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County assistant coach Bryan Fuller addresses the team as they huddle in the lobby of the John Graham Gym during halftime of their game against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The team is playing their home games in this gym with no locker-rooms while their school gym is renovated. — Warren County assistant coach Bryan Fuller addresses the team as they huddle in the lobby of the John Graham Gym during halftime of their game against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The team is playing their home games in this gym with no locker-rooms while their school gym is renovated. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. directs his team of defense during the third quarter against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. directs his team of defense during the third quarter against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County’s Jah’Quell Hendrick (11) hangs his head after coming out of the game with a large deficit against Webb on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County’s Jah’Quell Hendrick (11) hangs his head after coming out of the game with a large deficit against Webb on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County’s Jaylen Canty (23) reaches in to unify his teammates as they huddle during the third quarter against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County’s Jaylen Canty (23) reaches in to unify his teammates as they huddle during the third quarter against Webb High School on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. teaches his Microsoft Word class virtually from his empty classroom on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. teaches his Microsoft Word class virtually from his empty classroom on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School student Rocky Carter takes his classes virtually from the loft of his mother’s workplace, CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021. Carter utilizes the high speed internet connection at the workplace because his wi-fi hot spot does not perform well at his rural home. — Warren County High School student Rocky Carter takes his classes virtually from the loft of his mother’s workplace, CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021. Carter utilizes the high speed internet connection at the workplace because his wi-fi hot spot does not perform well at his rural home. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School student Rocky Carter takes a break from his virtual classes to talk with him mom Clancy Carter at her workplace, CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021. Carter utilizes the high speed internet connection at the workplace because his wi-fi hot spot does not perform well at his rural home. — Warren County High School student Rocky Carter takes a break from his virtual classes to talk with him mom Clancy Carter at her workplace, CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021. Carter utilizes the high speed internet connection at the workplace because his wi-fi hot spot does not perform well at his rural home. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Rocky Carter and his mother Clancy Carter leave CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 to get Rocky to the gym for his basketball game after he completed his virtual studies for the da — Rocky Carter and his mother Clancy Carter leave CJ Iron & Metal near Macon, NC on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 to get Rocky to the gym for his basketball game after he completed his virtual studies for the da Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Rocky Carter has his temperature taken before being allowed into the John Graham Gym for Warren County High School’s basketball game against Bunn on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Rocky Carter has his temperature taken before being allowed into the John Graham Gym for Warren County High School’s basketball game against Bunn on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

John Hargrove disinfects the John Graham Gym between games to insure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — John Hargrove disinfects the John Graham Gym between games to insure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School players change into their game uniforms in a lobby at the John Graham Gym on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The team is using the Warren County recreation center gym with no locker-rooms for their home games while their school gym is renovated. — Warren County High School players change into their game uniforms in a lobby at the John Graham Gym on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. The team is using the Warren County recreation center gym with no locker-rooms for their home games while their school gym is renovated. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. directs his team during the third quarter against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. directs his team during the third quarter against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School players Jah’Quell Hendrick (11), Rocky Carter (3), Youssef Elgarah (12) and Torrey Davis (21) react during some tense moments in their game against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School players Jah’Quell Hendrick (11), Rocky Carter (3), Youssef Elgarah (12) and Torrey Davis (21) react during some tense moments in their game against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Players huddle around Warren County assistant coach Bryan Fuller, center and head coach Toriano McRae Jr., left, during the closing minutes of play against Bunn on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Players huddle around Warren County assistant coach Bryan Fuller, center and head coach Toriano McRae Jr., left, during the closing minutes of play against Bunn on Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. has a word with Jah’Quell Hendrick (11) during the closing minute of play against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. has a word with Jah’Quell Hendrick (11) during the closing minute of play against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. huddles with his players during the closing minute of play against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. — Warren County High School coach Toriano McRae Jr. huddles with his players during the closing minute of play against Bunn High School on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Warrenton, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published February 4, 2021 at 11:37 AM.