Game Recap: Apex Friendship vs. Holly Springs
By Johnathan Kirkland
Noland’s 37 points leads Apex Friendship past Holly Spring to remain undefeated
Phenom Hoops traveled to Holly Springs on Tuesday night to watch the undefeated Apex Friendship Patriots take on the Holly Springs Golden Hawks. Apex Friendship came into the game looking for a regular season conference championship in the South Wake Athletic 4A Conference with a win.
Apex Friendship was 12-0 entering the game and 10-0 in the conference. Holly Springs entered with a 5-6 record and 4-6 in the conference. In the first meeting of the season, Apex Friendship took down Holly Springs 76-55 back on Jan. 9.
Holly Springs hung tight with Apex Friendship in the first half, trailing 12-9 after the first quarter and only 35-31 at halftime. Holly Springs got a three-pointer from 6’2 junior Jordan Kearney and two from 6’3 sophomore Houston Willis to keep the Golden Hawks close as they headed into the second half.
The story of the night though was the play of senior Kenny Noland from Apex Friendship. The 6’3 guard scored a career high and school record 37 points in the win for the Patriots. He was 4-5 from three and 10-12 on two-point field goals. Nolan was also 5-6 from the free throw line.
Noland and 6’1 senior Luke Proctor helped propel Apex Friendship to a 14-point lead after three and a 78-58 final to give the Patriots the regular season conference championship.
Holly Springs was without 6’8 senior Dante Kissenhofer who is a Wofford commit.
After the game Noland announced that he had received and offer from UNC-Asheville. He adds that offer to a list that includes Army, Navy, Eastern Kentucky, and Dartmouth.
Top Players
Kenny Noland 6’3 2021 Apex Friendship
Kenny Noland appeared to be in a class of his own on the court Tuesday night. He had another gear that everyone else couldn’t seem to catch up to. He was 4-5 from three and 10-12 on two point field goals. He was extremely efficient, scoring his 37-points on only 17 shots. He also had three steals and two assists. Noland is extremely quick off of the dribble, seeming to always get past his defenders and finish at the rim. His three-point range is also impressive. At one point in the second half Noland pulled up from the tip of the logo at half court to drain one of his five triples.
Jordan Kearney 6’2 2022 Holly Springs
Kearney scored 25 points for the Golden Hawks on Tuesday and he was one of the main factors in his team keeping the game close throughout the first half. Kearney had three three-pointers and his ability to drive to the basket and make something happen was also impressive. Kearney has the mentality and drive to take over a game when his team needs it and he proved that on Tuesday.
Luke Proctor 2021 Apex Friendship
Luke Proctor shook off a slow first half where he only scored one point to explode for 16-points in the second half. Proctor had three three-pointers in the second half, and along with Noland, propelled Apex Friendship to a strong second half performance to secure the win. At the end of the third quarter and into the fourth, Proctor scored nine straight points for the Patriots. Proctor is active on both ends of the court and his three-point shot is pure. He has a high basketball IQ that allows him to make tough decisions on the court look easy.
Houston Willis 2023 Holly Springs
Willis scored a career high 30 points and seven three-pointers in a win over Garner last week and the sophomore followed that performance up with 15 points on Tuesday. Willis knocked down three three-pointers and was 6-6 from the free throw line against Apex Friendship. Kenny Noland defended Willis most of the night, but he was able to get free and make things happen on the offensive end.