Eastern Carolina 2A Conference Preview

The Eastern Carolina 2A Conference has been arguably one of the most competitive conferences in the state of North Carolina for a few years now. Traditionally, schools such as Kinston, Goldsboro and Ayden-Grifton are all but expected to contend for regional appearances and/or a state title berth. Even North Lenoir, Greene Central and South Lenoir have all historically been known as extremely competitive programs eager to take on any challenger. In the 2016-2017 season, expect a highly competitive match-up literally every night in conference play. <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Predictions</strong></p> <strong>State Title Contender: Kinston High School</strong> Well, Kinston has dominated NC in the past decade, winning the 3A State Title in 2008 and dominating in 2A competition winning the state title in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Also to note, they appeared in the 3A State Title game in 2007 as well, with regional berths in 2009 and 2011. With that being said, you can never put contention past this program. With the improvement of nationally recognized 2019 6’5” wing <strong>Damian Dunn</strong>, promising 6’7” wing <strong>Dericko Williams </strong>(2019), heady point guards <strong>Taji Moore</strong> (2018), <strong>Tracy Whitfield</strong> (2018), 6'3" inside outside threat <strong>Daimian Burnette</strong> (2017)<strong>,</strong> 6’5”junior rebounding machine <strong>Reginald Clark Jr</strong>. and a slew of skilled guards and experienced big men, Kinston has the tools once again to make a deep run. <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Darkhorse Teams: Greene Central, North Lenoir, Goldsboro</strong></p> Greene Central has all the tools to surprise everyone. 6'7" sophomore power forward <strong>Imajae Dodd</strong> (2019) is a difference maker. The young athletic post rebounds the ball well, protects the rim and dunks everything around the basket. Has all the makings of a future star. Pair him with 6’4” double-double threat <strong>Don Pigford </strong>(2017) who is an outstanding athlete of his own, Greene Central has a dynamite 1-2 punch. Junior guards <strong>Rhaheem Edwards</strong> and <strong>Don’Quez Davis</strong> alongside 6’5” sophomore wing <strong>Donta Johnson</strong> will provide depth and stability. North Lenoir has arguably the most underrated senior guard in Eastern North Carolina in point guard <strong>L’Shawn Davis</strong>. As a junior, the lightning fast guard had several games where he almost single handedly willed his team to victory on both ends of the floor. Senior wing <strong>LaDarius Hines</strong> plays bigger than his size on both ends of the floor. Twin brothers <strong>Jacob Morris</strong> and <strong>Keithan Morris</strong> are strong defenders that help with ball-handling duties. 6’4” Junior wing <strong>Quwuan Barnes</strong> will open a few eyes with his play this season and 6’2” freshman guard <strong>Chris Mitchell </strong>could work his way into good minutes by season end. Must also note 5’10” junior guard <strong>Keontae Kittrell</strong> who showed glimpses of a guard that could come in and contribute at a high level this season during summer play. Goldsboro is a darkhorse team. Despite losing promising 2018 big man <strong>Tyzhaune Claude</strong> to relocation (Cox Mill HS), they still are no slouch. Senior guard <strong>Jaryan Hargis</strong> is as crafty as you’ll find at the lead guard spot. He could be primed for a breakout season. 6’3” sophomore wing <strong>Isaiah Wilder</strong> is sturdy, smart and ready to accept a larger role as a sophomore. Seniors <strong>Ronnie Tookes</strong>, <strong>Darryl Gaddis</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Cogdell</strong> should all provide solid minutes and production as well. Also, be on the lookout in the future for freshman guard <strong>Christian Bullock</strong>. <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>On The Verge</strong></p> Ayden-Grifton has as much talent as any team in NC. Their success will totally depend on whether or not they can figure out how to translate their raw talent into wins. 6’4” senior guard <strong>Tyree Wiggins</strong> can score with anyone. 6’3” senior wing <strong>DJ Suggs</strong> can do a little bit of everything. 6’0” sophomore <strong>James Richardson</strong> is an athletic guard that can score it and play solid defense. This team has everything from size inside with 6’7” senior post <strong>Ricky Johnson</strong> to depth on the wing with the aforementioned players. Scoring the ball doesn't appear as if it will be an issue for certain. Should they figure things out, they will be an extremely tough out this season. <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Rebuilding</strong></p> South Lenoir may be considered the team at the bottom of this conference, but that just speaks volumes to just how deep and competitive the conference is. If South Lenoir were to compete in almost any other 2A conference except this one, they would finish in the top 4.  Compact 6’1” junior <strong>guard Shykiem Wooten</strong> will become a 3 year varsity starter this season who can lock down on defense and get to the rim with ease. He plays a physical brand of basketball that makes life hard for small guards. Could attract some college interest this season. Senior transfer <strong>Devion Staten</strong> had several big games at his previous school and could provide an extra scoring boost. 5’10” sophomore guard <strong>Shamon Wooten</strong> possesses a ton of quickness and a crafty isolation game. 6’4” junior wing <strong>Justin Dixon</strong> is a versatile do it all type of player that will provide size on the wing. Senior guard <strong>Roger Monroe</strong> and junior guard <strong>Hunter Weeks</strong> will provide energy and knockdown shooting ability. Make no mistakes. Even though South Lenoir is considered to be rebuilding, they have the talent to win on any given night. <strong>Conference Power Ranking</strong> <ol> <li>Kinston</li> <li>Greene Central</li> <li>Goldsboro</li> <li>North Lenoir</li> <li>Ayden-Grifton</li> <li>South Lenoir</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Pre-Season All-EC2A</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Damian Dunn – Kinston - 6'5" So</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Imajae Dodd – Greene Central – 6'7" So</p> <p style="text-align: left;">L’Shawn Davis – North Lenoir – 5'11" Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Taji Moore – Kinston – 6'0" Jr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Tyree Wiggins – Ayden-Grifton 6'4" – Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Dericko Williams – Kinston – 6'7" So</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Shykiem Wooten – South Lenoir – 6'1" Jr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Jaryan Hargis – Goldsboro – 5'10" Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Isaiah Wilder – Goldsboro – 6'3" So</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Don Pigford – Greene Central– 6'4" Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Reginald Clark Jr. – Kinston – 6'5" Jr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Devion Staten – South Lenoir – 5'10" Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Quwaun Barnes – North Lenoir – 6'4" Jr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">DJ Suggs – Ayden-Grifton – 6'3" Sr</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Darryl Gaddis – Goldsboro - 5'9" Jr</p>