NeNe Ward Signs with Wake Tech Women’s Basketball, Capping Off a Storied East Bladen Career
- Austin Smith
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Elizabethtown, NC - NeNe Ward, one of East Bladen High School’s most decorated athletes in recent memory, is taking her game to the next level.
The dynamic guard has signed with Wake Technical Community College to continue her basketball career, closing the chapter on a remarkable high school journey that left a lasting mark on Bladen County sports.
Ward started all four years for the East Bladen girls basketball team and finished with over 1,500 career points. She made a name for herself not only as a consistent scorer but also as a floor general and defensive leader, helping guide the Lady Eagles to back-to-back deep playoff runs.
In her junior year, she averaged 20 points per game while leading East Bladen to a 25-5 record and a 2A Eastern Regional Final appearance.
She followed that up her senior year with another standout campaign, posting 19.4 points per game and steering her team to a 26-4 record, a 2A Eastern Regional Championship, and a trip to the 2A State Championship game.
Coach Patty Evers, who’s mentored countless standout players, called NeNe’s impact undeniable.
“NeNe has started all four years and grew as a player and leader,” Evers said. “I am especially proud of her for being a student-athlete first. I am so happy that she is continuing her playing career at Wake Tech. I believe it is a good fit for her.”
Coach Evers also highlighted the intangibles that made NeNe special.
“She exceeded all expectations playing in our program. She scored over 1,500 points and directed our offense with confidence. Her defense created steals that turned into points. But what stood out the most was her dedication. She trained constantly—outside of practice and all offseason. She’s a pure shooter, and that comes from repetition and hard work. I’m grateful to have coached such an amazing young lady. She’s going to do great things.”
Reflecting on her high school experience, NeNe shared what the last four years have meant to her.
“The last four years meant the world to me,” she said. “I learned so much from all three coaches in all three sports. Each one taught me something different. I’ll miss it—my teammates, even the times we’d argue or get frustrated. Those are moments you don’t get back. High school treated me well, and I’m really excited for what’s next.”
At Wake Tech, NeNe is ready to embrace a new chapter.
“I’m ready to branch out, get new experiences, and take what I learned at East Bladen to Wake Tech,” she said. “I want to keep growing, keep getting better, and keep being the best version of myself.”
Wake Tech head coach Alonzo Lunsford believes the program is getting not just a skilled player, but a complete person.
“Leadership, first and foremost,” Lunsford said. “She’s an outstanding student, plays above her age, and shows maturity beyond the game. Her dedication speaks volumes. She’s a stickler for being on time—which means a lot to me. I’m retired military, and to me, being early is being on time.”
Lunsford also sees NeNe fitting perfectly into the program’s identity.
“She’s tenacious and fearless. At Wake Tech, we’re going to give you a full 40 minutes. You won’t want to see us twice. That’s how I played, and that’s how we coach. NeNe is the kind of player who embraces that challenge.”
For her parents, Pumpkin and Jermaine Henry, watching NeNe evolve from a young girl who loved basketball into a driven student-athlete has been emotional and inspiring.
“Watching her in rec and middle school, she always loved the game,” they said. “But when she got to high school, she really grew—in her respectfulness, her academics, and her athletics. She’s got greatness ahead of her, and we believe she’s going to do big things.”
When asked what advice she would give to younger athletes coming up through local rec leagues and youth sports, NeNe’s response showed maturity and depth.
“Find a balance and know what it is off the court as much as it is on the court,” she said. “Know your why. Don’t go through the motions—commit and work at it.”
That final message—know your why—isn’t just a quote.
It’s a window into NeNe’s character and mindset.
And it’s a message that will continue to inspire the next generation of Bladen County athletes long after she’s moved on.
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NeNe Ward Signs with Wake Tech Women’s Basketball, Capping Off a Storied East Bladen Career
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