NCHSAA 4A Bracket: Players and teams to watch
The 4A division does not disappoint as it is absolutely loaded with talent, in just about every game that will be played, there is a college prospect on the court. With multiple teams that have a chance to take the…
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Continue ReadingThe 4A division does not disappoint as it is absolutely loaded with talent, in just about every game that will be played, there is a college prospect on the court. With multiple teams that have a chance to take the championship, we can expect to see some very competitive games.
#1 Millbrook comes in at the #1 seed and will look to be refocused after taking a loss in their conference tournament last week. They are a team that is deep with talent which is always a good thing when the state tournament comes. Senior leadership is one of the areas that we feel they will have an advantage over quite a few teams, players such as Colin Lewis, Isaiah Lewis and Phillip Burwell are all double figures scorers that can get it going any given night. Not to look ahead but this squad could possibly see a rematch with Leesville Road sooner than later.
Why not us in the motto that #8 Pine Forest has taken going into the conference and state playoffs. They have a team with a good amount of seniors and one of the better unsigned seniors in the area in Forward Miles Ray who can jump out the gym but also has shown his ability to score the ball.
Knightdale vs. Overhills: Overhills is the underdog but they have been playing pretty well as of late, they have a star in Sophomore Guard Cinque Lemon and have been getting solid play from Junior Jase Ford and Senior Lexuus Fasce who are both players that colleges’ should be keeping an eye on. Knightdale is a deep team but one player we really like from their squad is 2021 Forward Jalen McDonald, he’s a high flyer with plenty of potential to be a good player.
Anytime you have a team with the size that #5 Holly Springs brings, you have to keep an eye out for them. 2020 6’7 Forward Kaleb Scott is a player that has picked up quite a bit of interest and we all know about the senior big man Kadin Shedrick that’s has been outstanding and is headed to UVA next year.
#12 Broughton features a talented senior backcourt in PG DJ Thomas and Tynias Peace, both can fill it up scoring wise and play the game with toughness. One of the keys to making a run in the tournament is stellar guard play, and that’s what they bring to the table for their squad.
#4 Seventy-First rolls into the playoffs after winning a conference championship but will have to adjust as they will be without one of their starters. Seniors Demauriea Nickelson & BJ McLaurin both will need to have big time performances to help their team make a deep run, as well as solid play from Senior Guard Thomas Hendricks.
For South Central to be a #3 seed is a bit of a head scratcher but we are sure that it will only motivate the squad to play at a high level. They have an experienced team and have played one of the tougher schedules in the state for a public school which included a championship game appearance at John Wall invitational. The names you know are star unsigned senior guard Shykiem Phillips and UNC Commit Dayron Sharpe but South central has more than that with players like Jahzeer Baker and Shy’Quan Jones that have stepped up and played well in quite a few showings.
If #19 Cardinal Gibbons hopes to make a run in the playoffs they will need Senior Forward Mike Walsh to play at a very high level. We have seen him put together some nice showings this season and if he can do the same in the playoffs, it will only help his recruitment.
#11 Pinecrest is a team that could be very dangerous, once they get rolling and have shots dropping, they are a tough team to beat. 2021 PG Bradlee Haskell will have his opportunity to show the state how special of a player he can be as the potential matchup with Athens Drive and their star Guard DJ Robertson awaits if they can get the 1st round win.
#10 Panther Creek vs. #23 Cary: There are at least two names in this matchup that you will want to know about, Panther Creek Senior Forward Justin Mckoy is an absolute beast, averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. Cary HS features Unsigned Senior Guard Jett Fortuny who is dropping just under 20 PPG, and has a nice overall skillset that D2 programs should be all over.
#2 Wakefield is a team that is strong and we feel can make a nice run in the state playoffs, they have a bit of everything you need to win games. Unsigned Senior Guards Elijah Shabazz and Trae Smith are both college prospects that can play the game at a high level, as well as players such as big man Kharye Cayne.