PACIS Preview
The PACIS is one of, if not the strongest conferences in the country. Every year it produces players that play at the highest level of college basketball. This year is no different. Here is a look at the way the conference should breakdown.
Greensboro Day-The Bengals coached by NC Hall of Fame inductee Freddy Johnson should be in store for another run at a state championship. They return 2018 John Newman, a Clemson commit is a combo-guard is athletic and can get off the floor in a hurry for blocks and rebounds. He is one of NC’s top defenders and is a nightmare for opponents. 2018 guard Will Dillard (above) is one of the most athletic players in the state, can jump out of the gym. Can knock down the mid-range shots and can step out behind the three-point line. A strong defender who has a bloodline of playing college basketball. 2021 Carson McCorkle is also one of the most athletic kids in the 2021 class, McCorkle at 6-foot-3, has good size for the shooting guard position and has the confidence to compete at the varsity level. He has a textbook jump-shot that he can use all the way past the 3-point line and make shots consistently. He runs the floor well and has great court vision and has a tight handle with the basketball. 2018 Alex Michael is a tough, skilled guard who has a smooth stroke that stretches out to the three point line. 2018 Trip Greene, is a player that coaches love simply because he brings all the intangibles that you want from your PG, defensively he gives it’s a 100% and has solid lateral quickness and hands. Tripp is what many would call a ‘‘pesky” defender, you may get one step on him but he recovers quickly and contains his opponent very well. 6’5 Cason Pierce played sparingly during his freshman year but he will have his chance to shine in due time, one thing you can see from him even though he is not getting much playing time is that he truly understands the game.
Wesleyan Christian-Former Maryland Terrapin Keith Gatlin has another strong squad again this season led by Wake Forest commit Jaylen Hoard. Hoard has a good frame and build for the wing spot, has a quick first-step and can get off of the floor in a hurry. Can score off the dribble or knock down the set shot. Maryland commit Aaron Wiggins is big and athletic at 6’8. A defensive nightmare that can take defenders off the dribble or post up. 6’10 Deandre Wilkins is a raw player with nice potential, he’s also a very gifted football player which always help when toughness is needed for bigs to bang inside the paint. He has decent hands and nice timing on blocking shots defensively, he doesn’t leave his feet too early which allows him to stay out of foul trouble. 6’3 Shawn Walker is a true PG that understands how to get everyone involved while getting his own offense going, has a very long wingspan and nice height for a PG. his IQ for the game is above average without a doubt, the son of a D1 coach and you can clearly tell by the way he runs the show for his team.
High Point Christian-HPCA, always one of the top teams in the state will return some firepower off a team that finished 18-10 last season. Returning is 2018 Lance Boykin, 6’6, 2018 Andrew Gordon 2018 Kyle Watkins, a versatile scorer who fills up the stat page with his many contributions.
Forsyth Country Day-The loss of Tripp Greene and his nearly 20 points per game will be hard to replace. Howard West will have his hands full this season but he is one of the best coaches in the state. Returning is Chase Splitter and his 5.8 points per game along with Chase Walter, a 6-foot-2 guard who averaged nearly 7 points per game last season.