It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Bennett Place in Center, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Center, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Sandy Bowen met with me when I was first making the hard decision to find a SAFE and loving place for my mom. She listened to all my emotion and to my logistical needs. She answered ALL my questions with empathy, knowledge and experience. She took that information and showed me several places taking into account how difficult it was to balance our financial situation with wanting the best care for my mom. At that point, i hesitated, procrastinated and avoided making a decision. When it became clear to me that i couldn't delay any longer, Sandy told me her honest opinion about the places that would provide what I was looking for. I was still apprehensive. This was not a position I'd ever dreamed of being in. So, I had to go look one more time at the place I felt drawn to. She gladly made the 2nd visit happen. I chose Clemmons Village. It was so clean, the residents looked content and well cared for. The financial aspect was a surprisingly good fit. But mostly, the staff at clemmons village were so kind, helpful and down to earth. Now these past few years have proven this to be the best decision I could've made. Even if we'd been better set financially, looking back i would chosen the same. Everything Sandy did during the whole process was as if she'd done it for her own family. She told the truth. She held my hand, so to speak. And she found exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't be more grateful. I 1000% recommend Sandy Bowen and Always Best Care... they truly live up to the name!”
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
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“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting White Deer Park Nature Center in Center, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local McNinch House Restaurant or visit Mordecai House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Center, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Center, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Center, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Will Wade said he didn’t want to win, he wanted to dominate.The first-year head coach got his wish Monday night in his inaugural game, which was essentially decided at halftime, and definitely over with 11 minutes remaining. When the red dust had settled Monday, N.C. State stood on the right side of a 114-66 decision over N.C. Central of Durham, a 48-point victory after which Wade repeated his preseason proclamation of Wolfpack redemption.“Everybody knows the reckoning is here,” Wade said on the court after th...
Will Wade said he didn’t want to win, he wanted to dominate.
The first-year head coach got his wish Monday night in his inaugural game, which was essentially decided at halftime, and definitely over with 11 minutes remaining. When the red dust had settled Monday, N.C. State stood on the right side of a 114-66 decision over N.C. Central of Durham, a 48-point victory after which Wade repeated his preseason proclamation of Wolfpack redemption.
“Everybody knows the reckoning is here,” Wade said on the court after the win, repeating his introductory press conference. “The Pack is back, and we are not to be messed with.”
While picking up its first win of the season, N.C. State scored its most points in a game since hitting for 116 in 2017.
The Wolfpack led wire-to-wire after jumping out to a 10-point lead 4:45 into the game. NCCU cut the Pack’s lead to six points with 11:41 remaining in the first half, but that was as close as it got after the opening two possessions. N.C. State used a 13-0 run to take a 19-point lead which only grew as the game progressed. The Wolfpack led by as many as 59 points late in the second half.
Wade and Co. received a full outing from the first-year roster, as seven players reached double figures and four players pulled down at least four rebounds.
Additionally, the Wolfpack looked much improved from its exhibition against South Carolina last week. Though the argument could be made that N.C. Central is a lesser opponent, it was clear N.C. State played with more unity, communication and effort than it did against the Gamecocks.
The Pack finished with 27 assists on 37 made shots, a far better ratio than the eight assists on 31 baskets against South Carolina. It also made nine of its 10 layups. The Wolfpack went 9 of 19 in its public exhibition.
There were defensive breakdowns that Wade showed clear frustrations about — a few open lanes and a few weak plays at the rim — but his team made up for those errors. N.C. State finished with 13 steals and held the Eagles to 43.8% field goal shooting and 27.8% from 3-point range.
It’s hard to pull out individual performances with virtually every player contributing positively. Musa Signa, who only scored four points in 15 minutes, recorded a team-high four steals.
Darrion Williams, voted the ACC preseason player of the year, showed exactly why the staff recruited him. He led the team with 19 points on 7 of 10 shooting, four rebounds and eight assists on one turnover. Williams made his fourth 3-pointer of the night with 7:29 remaining and gave the team 100 points.
Paul McNeil, the lone scholarship returner, added 16 points on 5-10 shooting, including four from deep.
What we learned from N.C. State’s season opener.
N.C. State entered its season opener with several goals, including starting quickly.
“You’ve got to get off to a good start. The longer you give folks hope, and the longer you string things out, the tougher it can be,” Wade said Friday. “They’re gonna fight like hell, they’re gonna be competitive, they’re gonna be all over it. It’ll be a good test for us.”
His team accomplished the goal. The Wolfpack started the game on an 8-0 run and forced N.C. Central to call a timeout 1:44 into the game. The Eagles scored on the subsequent possession, making their first basket, but N.C. State continued to lay it on.
Though N.C. Central made a push after the first timeout, N.C. State regained a double-digit lead midway through the first half. It used a 13-0 run to create a 19-point advantage with 7:57 in the half. It led by as many as 30 points with a minute remaining.
Its defense, especially on the 3-point line, also held up early. Central started 1 of 9 from the perimeter in the first half, and couldn’t move the ball effectively. The Eagles, who went scoreless for 3:44 midway through the opening period, only recorded two assists on 10 made shots.
Wade knew N.C. Central’s success driving opponents off the 3-point line could be a major challenge.
N.C. Central allowed opponents to take 3-point shots on fewer than 35% of their possessions every season under head coach LeVelle Moton. It ranked in the national top 50 11 times, and it was top 5 for the statistic in 2014-15, 2016-17 and 23-2024, according to KenPom.
“We’re not going to get a ton of 3s off against them,” Wade said. “They do a great job guarding the 3-point line.”
The Wolfpack offense, however, proved its coach wrong and had little issue getting the space to launch 3s. N.C. State went 8 of 17 from 3 in the first half. Williams and Tre Holloman shooting a combined 6 of 10, with Williams starting 3-3 from outside.
N.C. State’s success from the arc continued in the second half, scoring 11-23 from the perimeter. Seven different players hit a 3-point basket, including big man Jerry Deng and walk-on Jordan Snell. While the Pack probably won’t shoot this well every game, it was good to see so many players make shots and spread the floor.
Quadir Copeland was really excited about five-star freshman Matt Able and what he could contribute to the team. The young guard was limited in last week’s exhibition, but he showed off for the home crowd.
Able made tough shots like a veteran and bullied his way through opposing players for rebounds. He also proved valuable as a distributor and added four assists in the win.
The freshman contributed 14 points and six rebounds and one steal — in addition to his assists — in the win off the bench. Wade wants to shrink his rotation to eight guys on a regular basis, and Able showed he could be one of those players.
A new era of NC State men’s basketball has arrived. After months of building up to Will Wade’s first game on the sideline of the Lenovo Center, the Wolfpack is set to host NC Central on Monday night.The Pack is a 30.5-point favorite against the Eagles, according to BetMGM, to kick off Wade’s tenure in Raleigh.Although NC Central is the lowest-rated team on NC State’s schedule, according to KenPom, as the No. 327-ranked team going into the new season, that didn’t discourage the Wolf...
A new era of NC State men’s basketball has arrived. After months of building up to Will Wade’s first game on the sideline of the Lenovo Center, the Wolfpack is set to host NC Central on Monday night.
The Pack is a 30.5-point favorite against the Eagles, according to BetMGM, to kick off Wade’s tenure in Raleigh.
Although NC Central is the lowest-rated team on NC State’s schedule, according to KenPom, as the No. 327-ranked team going into the new season, that didn’t discourage the Wolfpack from scheduling the local team. Instead, Wade was intentional about putting the Eagles on the non-conference slate.
The 42-year-old coach, who has been longtime friends with NC Central coach LaVelle Moton, elected to add the Eagles to the Wolfpack’s non-conference competition in an effort to make buy-game funds the most impactful for the mid-major program.
“If we’re going to spend the money, we might as well keep the money in state. We might as well help out our people around us,” Wade said. “That’s more my philosophy than the overarching athletic department philosophy, and they may get mad at me for saying that. My point being, it makes a big impact for NC Central.”
NC Central, who will receive $90,000 for playing Monday night, will be able to use most of that payment for its athletic department as NC State is an easy 18-mile bus trip on the day of the game instead of spending a significant amount of it for a flight and hotel.
Wade, who also has UNCG and UNC Asheville on the schedule over the next two months for the same reason, can’t see a reason bad enough to avoid playing in-state mid-majors — even though most Power Conference programs refuse to schedule those around them nationally.
After all, Wade was on the other side of the negotiations the past two seasons at McNeese.
“It’s good for them, it’s good for the state and it’s good for the fans,” Wade said. “I don’t see much downside to it. The downside, for me and this is why people don’t do it, is that these teams are fired up to play against us. Every kid at Central thinks they should be playing at NC State. They’re all going to think that, especially when you have the in-state kids. Those kids are all going to be excited to play us, and they’ll have an extra edge to them. That’s the tradeoff, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives.”
As NC State prepares to embark on its path back to the NCAA Tournament, it will do so in front of a sold-out crowd against NC Central. The program’s ticket sales are up, and the home schedule features two other in-state mid-major programs with the likes of Kansas, Duke and UNC later in the season, and it is partly a direct result of Wade’s scheduling philosophy.
“It’s great to play any of the teams in this state,” Wade said. “I think it’s good for our fans. If you’re going to ask people to pay to watch us play … you might as well do it with teams they’re familiar with.”
TV:Tipoff time: 7 p.m.Location: Lenovo Center (sold out)Streaming: ACC Network ExtraTalent: Andrew Sanders (play-by-play) and Casey Morsell (analyst)
Radio:Network: WRAL 101.5 FM or The Varsity Network AppTalent: Matt Chazanow (play-by-play) and Chucky Brown (analyst)
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247Sports Embed ResourceRALEIGH, N.C. -- The Will Wade era at NC State started out with a bang with a convincing 114-64 win over NC Central in front of a sold-out crowd at Lenovo Center. Darrion Williams scored 14 points in the first half alone and finished with a game-high 19 points and eight assists while Tre Holloman also reached double-digits in the first half before finishing with 15 points in his Wolfpack debut.In total, the Wolfpack finished with seven players in double figures scoring whil...
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Will Wade era at NC State started out with a bang with a convincing 114-64 win over NC Central in front of a sold-out crowd at Lenovo Center. Darrion Williams scored 14 points in the first half alone and finished with a game-high 19 points and eight assists while Tre Holloman also reached double-digits in the first half before finishing with 15 points in his Wolfpack debut.
In total, the Wolfpack finished with seven players in double figures scoring while shooting 58 percent as a team and tying the program record with 19 3-pointers made. That, along with a 27-9 assist-to-turnover ratio and 1.652 points per possession clip led to a dominant showing from the Wolfpack on offense as it notched the first win of the Wade era in Raleigh.
Here are the full stats from NC State's blowout win over NC Central in the season opener for the 2025-26 season.
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NC State men's basketball has built hype all throughout the offseason with the hiring of Wil Wade, but it has reached a fever pitch with the first sellout for a season opener since the Lenovo Center was opened in 1999.RALEIGH, N.C. -- The 2025-26 season for NC State men's basketball opens in exactly one month against NC Central on Nov. 3. Will Wade will coach his first game inside the Lenovo Center where history will be made in front of a sold-out crowd. That will mark the first time since Nov. 19, 1999 that the Wol...
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The 2025-26 season for NC State men's basketball opens in exactly one month against NC Central on Nov. 3. Will Wade will coach his first game inside the Lenovo Center where history will be made in front of a sold-out crowd. That will mark the first time since Nov. 19, 1999 that the Wolfpack's season opener will be sold out.
That's a remarkable accomplishment for the Pack, especially considering that ACC Championship and Final Four banners were hung in the season opener just last year. But that's the power of the Wade hire as the NC State fan base continues to go all in on men's basketball this offseason.
NC State's matchup against Georgia on Nov. 19, 1999 marked the first and only season opener to be sold out inside the Lenovo Center prior to the Nov. 3 matchup with the Eagles. Herb Sendek led the Wolfpack to a 67-63 win over the Bulldogs to open the building, but the 19,5000-seat arena has not been filled for a season opener since.
The name was then the Entertainment Sports Arena -- or ESA, for short -- and has changed named to the RBC Center, PNC Arena and now Lenovo Center since that point. In the second year of the Lenovo partnership, the Wolfpack has a product that has fans in a frenzy with 2,000 additional season tickets sold, pushing the mark over 10,000 already for the season.
But the excitement being generated in Raleigh is about so much more than just the Wade hiring, it's about the program and the product expected to hit the court. With a roster that includes key additions like Darrion Williams, Tre Holloman, Ven-Allen Lubin, Terrance Arceneaux and so many others, the Pack has the pieces to make serious noise this season.
"All of us together are a force," Wade said last month. "We're NC State, we're red. Blood's red, right? Not blue—blood's red. So RED, and then it's going to be a reckoning for the ACC and for college basketball. You're gonna have to deal with this. You haven't had to deal with this because we haven't always been on the same page.
"This is about all of us tying in together, all of us being on the same page, all of us rowing in the same direction. This isn't the Will Wade Wolfpack. It's not the Boo Corrigan Wolfpack. This is all of us together. This is NC State. This is all of us working together. We've got an incredible administration, we've got incredible players, we've got a great staff, and we've got one of the best fan bases in all of college athletics.
"I think we have the best fan base in college basketball. We just haven't always been aligned and on the same tune. We're aligned now. And when we're aligned, there's nothing we can't do. There's nothing we can't do. And they're gonna see November 3—that thing's gonna be sold out."
Now that the game is officially sold out and history is set to be made, it's time to prove it. Wade and his program are ready to bring the "Red Reckoning" to the Lenovo Center.
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- NC State football plays its lone home game in October on Saturday afternoon against Campbell, with the Wolfpack looking to bounce back from two tough losses in ACC play. State needs a comfortable win as it prepares for a gauntlet of a schedule on the back half starting next week against Notre Dame.
Here's how our staff sees the game going down.
Michael Clark
It's been a brutally disappointing few weeks for NC State. However, Campbell is far and away the weakest opponent on the Wolfpack's schedule.
Last month, East Carolina - a common opponent - dismantled Campbell, 56-3. The Pack routes the Camels behind multiple touchdowns on offense and the defense finally generating some takeaways.
Final Prediction: NC State 48, Campbell 7
Charlie Gribble
It's a new week for NC State football and what comes with that is a new opportunity as the Campbell Fighting Camels come into Carter-Finley Stadium. After having a week to digest, it's hard to wrap your head around the performance from the Pack against the Hokies. Given the circumstances surrounding the VT program, it's comfortable to say it is the worst loss of the Dave Doeren era.
It'll be a true testament to see how NC State comes out against a vastly inferior opponent in Campbell. Regardless of what's to come after this season, it'll take Dave Doeren's best coaching job to keep this team together as the Wolfpack close in on what is a brutal stretch of league games next week.
I've got the Wolfpack getting back on track against the Camels and covering.
Final Prediction: NC State 55, Campbell 10
Spencer Thomas
After dropping two straight to Duke and VT, the Wolfpack are looking to get back in the win column before a big trip on the road next week. CJ Bailey looked like the CJ fans know and love, connecting on 26 of 34 passes for 240 yards. The caveat to this was Hollywood Smothers being shut down early, limiting the Wolfpack to being a one-dimensional team. I expect the Wolfpack to establish that run game early with the help of Duke Scott as well to make the team whole again.
The NC State defense will have to keep the Camels' QB Kamden Sixkiller on his toes early because they are a throw-first type of offense. Sabastian Harsh and Brandon Cleveland should add to the number of times Sixkiller has been sacked this season (11). By shutting down the throwing game, the Wolfpack will be in the driver's seat to take this one over and send NC State fans happy. I expect the Wolfpack to win this one 35-7, thanks to a dominant performance by CJ Bailey and the shutdown aspect of the defense.
Final Prediction: NC State 35, Campbell 7
Chris Ragone
NC State welcomes the Campbell Camels to Carter-Finley on Saturday, and not a moment too soon. The Pack have lost two straight, and are in need of a "get-right game" in the worst way. That comes this week.
QB CJ Bailey, RB Hollywood Smothers, and the rest of the offense should find this week quite a bit easier than the previous two. On the other side of the ball, an underpowered opponent will allow a defense, that is sporting some fresh faces, a chance to get some game experience and develop some additional confidence.
The Pack rolls from the opening kick...
Final Prediction: NC State 48 Campbell 10
Aron Disher
NC State can't possibly stumble in this one, right? Well, many of us felt the same way last week—and we all saw how that turned out. Over the past two weeks, it feels like nothing but negative energy has surrounded this football program. This matchup against Campbell presents the perfect opportunity to reset, get back on track, and re-energize the fan base.
Facing a mid-major always carries some risk because the fallout of actually losing would be disastrous. Still, these games also give you a chance to show what you're capable of—or in NC State's case, get back to the basics and play clean, disciplined football. Honestly, this game couldn't come at a better time for the Pack. It's the ideal chance to regroup.
As for the actual prediction, as I already said, I expect the Wolfpack to use this game to rediscover their identity and lean into what they know works best. If they do, the Pack should have no trouble putting up lots of points on Campbell's defense. That being said, if NC State doesn't walk away winning by multiple touchdowns, the game may feel like a loss in the eyes of many fans.
Final Prediction: NC State 51, Campbell 17
Cory Smith
When this game was announced years ago, most scoffed at the fact that NC State would even play against Campbell. Years later, the Camels are in a bad place at 1-4 overall with a 50-plus point loss to ECU and allowing an average of 41 points per game despite not playing a single Power Four team this year.
This should be a slaughter for the Wolfpack, and it could be even more lopsided than I'm predicting if the defense is able to force turnovers. This game will be about getting out to a hot start and reestablishing dominance in the trenches before allowing younger players snaps late to pull out a comfortable win.
Final Prediction: NC State 41, Campbell 10
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