WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After a spirited send-off from their school and community, the Goldsboro Cougars completed their championship quest Friday night, defeating the East Surry Cardinals to win the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A Girls Basketball State Championship.
Family members, students and fans traveled to the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem to witness history as Goldsboro secured its first girls basketball state title since 1982.
The Cougars held a narrow 21-17 lead at halftime after a tightly contested first half. Goldsboro came out strong in the third quarter, building momentum and extending its lead behind key plays from several contributors.
East Surry mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, closing the gap and putting pressure on the Cougars late in the game. However, a crucial sequence helped Goldsboro regain control. A late four-point swing following an intentional foul gave the Cougars a made free throw and possession. On the ensuing play, Imari Buckom knocked down a corner 3-pointer with three minutes remaining to stretch the lead to seven. East Surry was unable to counter, allowing Goldsboro to close out the historic win.
The Cougars finished the season with an impressive 29-2 record.
Senior Amiyah Ford led Goldsboro with 14 points, while Buckom and senior forward Aziyah Boyer each added 11 points. Boyer also dominated on the boards with 11 rebounds and was named the championship game’s Most Valuable Player.
The victory also carried a special family connection. Boyer’s grandmother, Gladys Best McClary, was a member of Goldsboro’s 1980 Goldsboro state championship team, making the moment even more meaningful for the Cougars’ standout forward.
Following the championship victory, the Lady Cougars returned home to a hero’s welcome. The team received a police escort back into Goldsboro and arrived at the high school where students, families, and community members gathered to celebrate the historic win and welcome the champions home.
With the victory, the Cougars etched their names into school history, bringing home the program’s first girls basketball state championship in more than four decades.
