NC State commit Paul McNeil breaks NCHSAA record with 71 pts
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (BVM) — North Carolina has seen plenty of talent come through the high school basketball ranks over the years, but now Richmond’s Paul McNeil is the state’s all-time leading scorer in a single game.
The NC State commit scored 71 points on Tuesday in a 118-52 victory over Lee County. McNeil broke a 74-year-old NCHSAA record that was held by Bob Poole of Clayton High (67). He is the ninth player in state history to score over 60 points.
71 POINTS IN A HIGH SCHOOL GAME 😳
NC State commit Paul McNeil Jr. is a BUCKET 🗣 @PaulMcneilJr @league__made pic.twitter.com/KIo2F30F3w
— Overtime (@overtime) January 17, 2024
McNeil shot 28 of 49 from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line on the night. He also racked up 16 rebounds and six steals. The North Carolina star got off to a quick start with a 35-point first half and continued his excellent performance throughout the rest of the night.
He did this despite a running clock for the entire second half and sitting the remaining three minutes of the game.
Anyone that closely follows basketball recruiting, is likely already aware of the caliber of player McNeil is. The 6-foot-5 forward is ranked as the No. 57 player in the Class of 2024 by ESPN.
The Rockingham, North Carolina, native won the Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year as a sophomore and he might be the easy favorite to win it once again as a senior. Following his memorable performance, McNeil is now averaging 33.9 points on the season, which leads the Tar Heel State.
He also scored 50 points in a game in December.
McNeil now sits at 1,952 career points, just 48 points shy of the prestigious 2,000 mark.
The Raiders are 11-5 on the season and they are hoping that McNeil can once again lead them to the state championship. Richmond High School lost last season in the title game to one of the nation’s best in Myers Park High School.
