By Thomas Grant Jr.
Northeast high school alumnus Wally Napper of Ridge View made news this week at his current college.
Napper led fifth-seed Longwood University back to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Sunday. He scored 12 points, had 11 assists and seven steals in the 85-59 victory over UNC-Asheville in the Big South Tournament final played
Napper earned tournament MVP honors after averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, seven assists and 2.3 steals in three games.
In the 80-79 comeback overtime semifinal win over top-seed and host school High Point, Napper led the Lancers from 15 points down in the second half with 16 points, seven assists, four records and two steals.
“As a kid you dream of moments like this,” Napper said afterwards. “We just stick together no matter what comes our way, and we’re just going to continue to keep fighting,” Napper said. “We’re in the championship game now and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Longwood will learn its first-round opponent on Selection Sunday.
