Why Rodmik Allen, Zeus Batts finish high school career as two of New Hanover's best ever
Wilmington has produced some talented basketball players over the years.
From the sport's most recognizable face in Michael Jordan, to fellow NBA players like Kenny Gattison, there's no shortage of basketball skill that's filtered through the Port City.
None of those players, however, have left behind a high school legacy quite like Rodmik Allen and Zeus Batts.
"It's always been us," Allen said. "It's a family. Every time we go somewhere, it's family, we're together."
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP New Hanover basketball falls just short of NCHSAA 4A state championship
The duo finished their high school playing career in Saturday's NCHSAA 4A state championship loss to North Mecklenburg. The moment was somber but did nothing to negate the duo's unparalleled dominance.
They've gone 112-8 in four seasons across all competitions, with Allen finishing with 1,628 career points. Batts, who also made a splash as one of the Wildcats' most productive wideouts last fall, finishes his career with 809 points.
"It's been special, especially to do it with Rodmik and a coach I've grown up with forever; it's been amazing. I wouldn't do it with nobody else but them, too."
New Hanover coach Kirk Angel has been a part of two state championship-winning squads.
He's coached players who went on to play in the NBA and other profesional leagues. Few, if any, in the veteran coach's eyes, have had as much of an impact as Allen and Batts.
"Rodmik and Zeus never played a JV second," Angel said. "They took hard coaching when they were freshman and grew in the system, and now they are the system. I can't say enough good things about them."
While the Wildcats came up just short in the 2025 NCHSAA 4A state championship, the team dominated Wilmington-area competition the last four years, not falling to a single area opponent and winning four straight Mideastern Conference titles.
They leave the court inside Brogden Hall with two NCHSAA 4A East regional championship titles and countless magical moments, some of which may never fade.
"We had an unbelievable four years, me and (Batts). We had over 100 wins, and everybody can't do that. It's been special," Allen said.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Why Rodmik Allen, Zeus Batts leave one of Wilmington's most dominate basketball legacies
Topics
-
Saturday's high school baseball and softball scores
CIF Southern Section and City Section high school baseball and softball scores.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Two Exeter High School standouts are Seacoast Athletes of the Week for March 3-8
Exeter hockey player Chase Barbour and girls basketball player Nicole Melick win Seacoast high school Athletes of the Week honors.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Eric Robinson Sets New Career High In Goals
Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Robinson set a new career high Friday night, netting the empty-netter in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.Robinson, 29, scored his 13th ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Lady Cougars wrap up title at Ada Tennis Tournament
The Ada High School girls tennis team won the team title at Tuesday’s Ada Tournament. The Lady Cougars finished with 26 points and Duncan was runner-up at 21. The Byng Lady Pirates captured third ...Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Inter Milan Star Goalkeeper In Form Of His Life Despite Entering Career Finale: “My Best Version Ever”
Inter Milan star goalkeeper Yann Sommer is seemingly enjoying life at the San Siro despite approaching his career’s finale.Speaking to Blick via FCInterNews, Sommer admitted he is currently the ‘b...Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Oliver, senior class helped set a new standard for Norwell High girls basketball
The seniors on the Norwell High girls basketball team compiled an 87-11 record over their four seasons with two state championship appearances.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Alter girls basketball finishes runner-up in state championship
The Alter High School girls basketball team finished runner-up in the OHSAA) Division IV Championship.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Championship Saturday: A preview of the last day of the high school basketball season
Mar. 14—There was not universal agreement on this. It was more a general consensus people had about this 2024-25 Class 5A boys basketball season — if there was one team capable of stopping the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
USA TODAY High School Sports' best 2026 boys basketball players in each state
From California to the Carolinas and everywhere in between, above and below, here are the 2026 boys basketball standouts in each state.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back! Enter your brackets now for a chance to win up to $50K
You're already going to fill out a bracket, so why not do it on Yahoo Fantasy, where you can enter for TWO free-to-play chances at $25,000 with our men's and women's contests.*Yahoo Sports - 2m -
Ayuso lifts Neptune's trident after winning Tirreno-Adriatico race
Spanish cyclist Juan Ayuso secured overall victory in the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico race on Sunday, with Jonathan Milan winning the bunch sprint to take the final stage of “The Race of the Two ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
As players make more, owners do, too
Business is booming — for everybody.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Jordan Stolz finishes speed skating worlds with two silvers, one bronze
Jordan Stolz made it nine medals in nine career World Single Distances Championships races.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Injury report for SEC Tournament Finals between Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers
Injury Report: Florida Gators will be missing Sam Alexis while the Tennessee Volunteers will be without J.P. Estrella in the SEC Tournament Finals.Yahoo Sports - 10m
More in Sports
-
Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back! Enter your brackets now for a chance to win up to $50K
You're already going to fill out a bracket, so why not do it on Yahoo Fantasy, where you can enter for TWO free-to-play chances at $25,000 with our men's and women's contests.*Yahoo Sports - 2m -
Ayuso lifts Neptune's trident after winning Tirreno-Adriatico race
Spanish cyclist Juan Ayuso secured overall victory in the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico race on Sunday, with Jonathan Milan winning the bunch sprint to take the final stage of “The Race of the Two ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
As players make more, owners do, too
Business is booming — for everybody.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Jordan Stolz finishes speed skating worlds with two silvers, one bronze
Jordan Stolz made it nine medals in nine career World Single Distances Championships races.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
St. John's wins first Big East tourney since 2000
The No. 1 seed coming into the tournament played like it all week at Madison Square Garden, as coach Rick Pitino and his St. John's Red Storm secured their first Big East title since 2000, and will ...ESPN - 10m