John Marshall High’s magical ride on the basketball court hit a patch of turbulence and fell back to Earth in Atlanta.

Competing in The Throne National Basketball Tournament at Morehouse College (with a 35- second shot clock), JM lost 67-65 on March 30 to Central Cabarrus High of Concord, N.C.

Missing from JM’s lineup was 6-foot-8 All- State freshman sensation Latrell Allmond, who was practicing with Team USA in Colorado Springs.

To abide with Virginia High School League guidelines, JM Coach Ty White handed over the coaching reins to Mike Blackwell. Cabar- rus Coach Mike Baker also had a fill-in on the sidelines (female parent Bronwyn Kent- Glover).

Also, to conform with VHSL rules, JM was playing under the name Judges (written on jerseys) while central Cabarrus went by its nickname, Vikings.

Seeded No. 1 in a 16-team field, JM won its first game in Atlanta with an 84-77 win over Douglasville, Ga.

Cabarrus went 32-0 during its regular season and won the North Carolina 3A title. The North Carolinians, led by 6-foot-1 All-State Jaiden Thompson, had no true post player.

They are primarily a team of highly athletic guards who were efficient in handling JM’s usually overwhelming pressure defense.

Cabarrus advanced to the finals of the event before losing 65-62 to the Explorers of Chris- topher Columbus High in Miami. Columbus featured Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of former NBA standout Carlos Boozer.

JM was 28-0 during its regular season that ended with the State Class 2 crown. Virginia State Player of Year Dennis Parker Jr. had 25 points in his final appearance in JM blue.

Look for more of the same next season with guards Damon “Redd” Thompson and Domin- ique Bailey returning with Allmond, who ranks with the nation’s finest for the Class of ’26.