The Gaston County Board of Education meeting on December 16, 2024, celebrated the remarkable achievements of Tiana Pettis, a senior basketball player from Bessemer City High School. Tiana was recognized for setting a new single-game scoring record in North Carolina high school basketball, scoring 65 points in a game on November 20. This impressive performance not only led her team to a 77-53 victory but also broke the previous record of 63 points set by Makayla Boykin in 2017.

In addition to her record-breaking game, Tiana has been having an outstanding season, averaging 47.9 points per game over the first eight games, with a shooting percentage of 71%. If she maintains this scoring average, she would surpass the previous record of 39.1 points per game held by Shay Ralph from the 1994-95 season.

The meeting highlighted Tiana's journey in basketball, noting her inspiration from her brother, Randall, who scored 60 points in a game in 2021, and her teammate, Janiyah Adams, who set a county record with 55 points. Tiana recently reached a personal milestone by scoring her 1,500th point.

The Board of Education presented Tiana with a certificate of recognition for her achievements, expressing pride in her accomplishments and wishing her continued success on the basketball court. The meeting also acknowledged the presence of her principal, Deneen Johnson, and coach Danny McDowell, along with family members who attended to support her.