Coach Smith’s East Squad Won 85-82, Pait on Losing End of East Loss 102-101 in OT
GREENSBORO—On Monday night, a local coach and a basketball player represented Columbus and Bladen in the 2026 NCHSAA Coaches Clinic All-Star games held at Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro.
Whiteville Coach Serena Smith was the East All-Stars Head Coach while West Bladen’s Jackson Pait played for the Boys’ East Squad.
Coach Smith led the East Ladies to an 85-82 victory. It was the fourth win in a row for the East Team. Ameya Brown from Terry Sanford was the MVP with 17 points while teammate Brook Evans from South Central pulled down 16 boards.
Smith is entering her 18th season as the Head Coach of the Whiteville Wolfpack.
“Wow,” she said. “I’m still feeling the excitement from the big win but more so from the connections and relationships made over the All-Star Weekend.
“It was a humbling experience to work with such amazing athletes and I am rooting for each of them as they embark upon their journeys. Overall, every coach should experience coaching All-Stars. It’s made me hungry for the next Wolfpack season.”
In the boys’ contest, Donta Neal from Reidsville sank a three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to give the West All-Stars the 102-101 win over the East. Braylon Taylor from Salisbury was the MVP with 28 points in the victory.
Pait scored two points in the contest, and will continue his career at Chowan University. He helped lead the Knights to four conference championships and a 90-19 record in his four years at West Bladen.
