Dream season ends for Sanderson boys’ basketball in NCHSAA 4A East final loss to New Hanover
By Alex BassCorrespondent
New Hanover’s Jakim Beatty (24) celebrates with teammates at the end of the first half against Sanderson in the NCHSAA 4a Boys East Regional Final. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025.
Steven Worthy
Winston-Salem
Sanderson found itself down 11 points (in the opening three minutes) to New Hanover before the Spartans scored their first point in Wednesday’s N.C. 4A boys’ basketball state semifinals at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This time, there would be no rally. An 83-55 final score, which the Raleigh school never led, ended a season in which Sanderson advanced the farthest in the state playoffs since the school opened in 1968.
“We didn’t do any of the things that we talked about, and that we emphasized,” Sanderson coach Roy Roberson said. “Those are the things that we need to do to be successful.”
Sanderson’s Kendrick Pulley (10) drives to the basket against New Hanover’s Rodmik Allen (5) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
“I think they probably had something to do with our shortcomings,” Roberson continued about New Hanover.
Sanderson (27-4) managed just 18 first half points, while New Hanover had 24 in the first quarter, during which the Wildcats converted 11 of 12 field goals. The Spartans were outscored in each quarter, shot just 32 percent from the floor, and trailed by 24-9, 41-18, and 60-34 after the first, second, and third periods, respectively.
“We didn’t do a good job adjusting,” Roberson said. “What we got was a good, old-fashioned whopping.”
Sanderson’s Malakhi Murphy (30) competes with New Hanover’s Nolan Billings (14) for the rebound during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Fifteen Sanderson turnovers relative to the Spartans’ 11 assists, very simply, was too formidable a discrepancy to offset New Hanover’s nearly two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio. The Wildcats had five double-figure scorers - Kellum Brown (29), Zeus Batts (12), Rodmik Allen (11), Jazir Wright-McGhee (11), and C.J. Kornegay (10). Nathan Fife and Mack Snavely did what they could by scoring 22 points apiece, and combining for 10 of Sanderson’s 11 three-pointers. Snavely converted six of his seven long-range attempts.
“As bitter as this is, they exceeded my wildest expectations,” Roberson said. “So I’m proud.”
Sanderson’s historic run came on the 30th anniversary of the Spartans’ state quarterfinals appearance in 1995. New Hanover (30-2), which has won two 4A state championships in the 21st century (2007, 2012), will meet defending state champion North Mecklenburg Saturday in a rematch of the 2024 title tilt.
Sanderson fans James Hasty, left, James Cozart, and Sarah Puckett cheer on their team before the start of the gsme against New Hanover. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Nathan Fife (5) protects the ball from new Hanover’s Nolan Billings (34) and Jazir Wright-Mcghee (14) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Gordie Balas drives ahead of New Hanover’s Kellum Brown (0) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Malakhi Murphy (30) tries to save the ball between New Hanover’s Nolan Billings (34) and Rodmik Allen (5) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Kendrick Pulley (10) controls the ball against New Hanover’s Rodmik Allen (5) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson head coach Roy Roberson reacts to action on the court against New Hanover during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
New Hanover’s Jazir Wright-McGhee (14) blocks the shot of Sanderson’s Nathan Fife (5) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Benjamin Ellison (3) pressures New Hanover’s Nolan Billings (34) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
New Hanover’s Rodmik Allen (5) attempts the layup against Sanderson’s Malakhi Murphy (30) and Mack Snavely (31) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Malakhi Murphy (30) goes up for the shot against New Hanover’s Nolan Billings (34) during the first half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Nathan Fife (5) Goes up for the shot against New Hanover’s Jazir Wright-Mcghee (14) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Nathan Fife (5) and Kendrick Pulley (10) defend New Hanover’s Rodmik Allen (5) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Kendrick Pulley (10) launches the layup against New Hanover’s Nolan Billings (34) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Malakhi Murphy (30) blocks the shot from New Hanover’s Kellum Brown (0) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Nathan Fife (5) competes with New Hanover’s Jazir Wright-McGhee (14) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Mack Snavely (31) controls the ball against New Hanover’s Kellum Brown (0) during the second half. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Jacob Wright (32) , Benjamin Ellison (3) and Mack Snavely (31) react after their loss to New Hanover in the East Regional Finals. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
Sanderson’s Benjamin Ellison (3) reacts on the bench after his team’s loss to New Hanover in the East Regional Final. The Sanderson Spartans and the New Hanover Wildcats met in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Final in Winston-Salem, N.C. on March 12, 2025. Steven Worthy
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM.
