Farmville Central finished the season with a 23-3 losing in the NCHSAA Eastern Regional 2A Championship. Farmville Central lost a heartbreaker to eventual four time state champion Kinston High School by the score of 58-54. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied 37-37 and the hopes of upsetting Brandon Ingram and Kinston loomed large. Unfortunately, Kinston went on a 21-17 fourth quarter run to secure the win. That being said, Farmville Central features two players that could be on the D1 radar. Let’s take a closer look at the 1-2 scoring duo coached by Larry Williford.
6’2 ’16 Shaft Parker
Coach Larry Williford spoke glowingly about the ability of 6’2 201 lb. PG Shaft Parker. The two sports star has physical strength and was the school’s starting QB both on the gridiron and hardwood. This past season, Parker averaged 16.1 PPG and dished out 5 APG and shared the Eastern Plains 2A Player of the Year with his teammate Ikesta Johnston. Coach Williford stated, “Parker will be a full qualifier and is flying under the radar. He has great court vision and is a big body PG that can take contact and finish at the rim. Parker has already eclipsed the 1000th point plateau prior to this senior year. He is excellent in a catch and shoot situation and shoots as well coming off screens.”
6’5 Ikesta Johnson
Like his teammate Shaft Parker, Ikestra Johnson was named Eastern Plains 2A Co-Player of the Year. He averaged a double double with 16.9 PPG and 11 RPG. He too has already surpassed the 1000th point plateau for Farmville Central. Coach Williford stated, “Johnson is a high energy guy that plays hard all the time. He’s an excellent ball handler and excellent passing ability for his size. He attacks the rim on breaks.”
Division I schools looking for a pair of sleepers in the 2016 class should contact coach Larry Williford of Farmer Central HS at willifl@pitt.k12.nc.us