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 - 9h -
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 - 18h -
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 - 2h -
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 -
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 -
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
-
MSU lands in tough region in final ESPN bracketology update
Michigan State basketball will find out its NCAA Tournament draw today, and it appears they'll be landing as a No. 2 seedYahoo Sports - 40m -
Revealed: Arsenal & Liverpool want €50m winger, he’s open to transfer this summer
Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on the potential transfer of Lyon wonderkid winger Malick Fofana this summer.Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Duke coach says Cooper Flagg playing in ACC tourney is 'not worth it'
Flagg's sprained ankle looms large for the Blue Devils with March Madness right around the corner. But Jon Scheyer appears to be taking the right approach.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
New York Giants' Paulson Adebo embracing opportunity to be CB1
Paulson Adebo knows the New York Giants brought him in to be their top cornerback and he's fully prepared to embrace that role.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
College hoops live updates: UNC in close one, Arkansas out of SEC tourney
An eventful Thursday started with an ankle injury to Duke star Cooper Kupp. Now, the Tar Heels taking on Wake Forest leads live action. Follow along here.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More in Sports
-
Bracketology: Florida vs. Tennessee showdown for SEC title will also be for a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament
There's plenty on the line in the five conference tournament championship games played on Selection SundayCBS Sports - 36m -
San Diego Wave FC's rebuild in full effect: How NWSL side adjusts without Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma
The club has praised patience as it looks for long-term stability on the pitchCBS Sports - 40m -
College basketball winners, losers entering Selection Sunday: Spartans slip, bubble teams avoid some disaster
Upsets in the Big Ten shifted the entire national landscapeCBS Sports - 46m -
Dissecting the Eastern wild-card race
The Sens are good, but five teams are vying for the second spot. Plus, playoff projections, lottery standings, more.ESPN - 47m -
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 - 48m