C.J. Ray scores for South Johnston on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

On a night where senior C.J. Ray was honored for a career milestone, a dominant first-half performance powered South Johnston’s varsity boys basketball team to a 63-41 win over visiting Harnett Central on Friday.

“I told them, ‘Boys, we might want to thank the gods for that one tonight,’” said South Johnston coach Brody Massengill. “I’ve sat right where (Central coach) Will (Gage)’s at, where you’re trying to do so many different things and it’s just not working and the other team’s just playing well. We shared the ball unbelievably and we just started hitting shots. Again, defensively, I thought we really played well. Probably the thing I’m the most proud of is the defense we’ve been playing (South has held its opponents at or below 50 points in every game so far).”

Ray had 20 points and fellow senior Thomas Dees had 14 points to lead the homestanding Trojans (5-0).

Colby Norris and Cole Winborne had eight points apiece. Austin Denning had five points. Jeremiah McLean had four points. Dylan Bates and Jonathan Watts had two points apiece.

“We had a pretty tough week, playing three games and two on the road,” Massengill said. “We were able to play all 12 guys in all three games. That’s a big deal. We try to preach in practice that you never know when your number’s going to be called and they’re sitting over there ready to go. We’re just sharing the ball well and everybody’s bought into the system.”

Senior Justin Perkins paced the visiting Trojans (4-3) with 18 points.

Tre Williams had six points. Anthony Tomlinson and Croix Shipman had five points apiece. Austin Swan had four points. Khalil Cameron had three points.

During South Johnston’s 54-49 win over visiting Southern Lee on Nov. 26, Ray surpassed 1,000 career points. He was recognized for the milestone in a brief ceremony prior to Friday’s game.

“It felt great,” Ray said. “I really didn’t know that they were going to do that. I thought they were probably going to do it on Senior Night. But the other day in practice I came in and everybody was in there and coach was like, ‘They wanted to let you know that you scored 1,000 points.’ And everybody started jumping on me and everything. It felt good being with my team and sharing that moment. It feels great, but I’m not done yet.”

South came storming out of the gates, going on a 22-5 run through the first quarter.

“We definitely came out ready to play,” Ray said. “We were aggressive. We hit shots. We hit a lot of shots. In the locker room, we talked about it. We talked about just giving it our all.”

Dees set the tone early for South, making three shots from three-point range during the early stages of the run.

“That’s what we need,” Massengill said. “He’s earned that. He’s a three-year starter. We need him and we need him to be aggressive. Because, even when he’s not making shots, he’s drawing attention.”

“It actually takes a lot (of pressure) off,” Ray said. “And I like seeing him score, because I don’t want to be the only one scoring. I do like to score, but I want to see my teammates score and everything.”

South also outscored Central 19-12 in the second quarter to take a 41-17 lead at halftime.

The second half was more closely contested, but Central was unable to put a dent in South’s lead. Central outscored South 10-8 in the third quarter and both teams scored 14 points in the fourth.

South Johnston is at home against Western Harnett (1-5) and Harnett Central is at East Wake on Tuesday night before South and Central meet again at Central on Thursday night.

South coach Brody Massengill congratulates C. J. Ray.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

C.J. Ray was presented a ceremonial ball by his South teammates.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

C.J. Ray with family. From left are Cassandra Ray (stepmother), Carel Ray (father), C.J. Ray, Shedava Groves (mother) and Travis Groves (stepfather). (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Tre Williams (4) puts up a 3-pointer for Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Croix Shipman scores for visiting Harnett Central.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Harnett Central’s Justin Perkins blocks a South shot.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Thomas Dees scores for host South Johnston.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Jonathan Watts scores for South Johnston in a 63-41 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Cole Winborne shoots a 3-pointer for South Johnston.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)