NCHSAA 1A State Title Contenders: Five Early Favorites

<p><em>The Bishop McGuinness Villains took home the NCHSAA 1A State title this past season, but with six seniors gone from last year's team including Most Outstanding Player, Cameron Caroway, there could be a new winner in 2019-20. </em></p> <h5>1. Henderson Collegiate Pride</h5> <h6>2018-19: 31-3, 14-0 conference</h6> <p>The Henderson Collegiate Pride fell by a point in last year's State Final game and they return everybody from last year's squad hungry for vengeance. It's hard to imagine them not being the favorite at the 1A level led by 2020 guard <strong>Kalib Matthews</strong>, who's already committed to Queens. The addition of 2021 guard <strong>Nick Green </strong>will add to their already strong core of 3-point shooters of Matthews, 2021 <strong>Kaleb Brooks</strong> and 2021 <strong>Akhiris Holden</strong>. They're in for a special season after going 31-3 in 2018-19.</p> <h5>2. Washington County Panthers</h5> <h6>2018-19: 26-2, 10-0 conference</h6> <p>The Washington County Panthers are another squad due to have a strong season. They fell in the Final Four of last season's state tournament to Henderson Collegiate. As the only No. 1 seed that made it to the Final Four, they return four of their top five scorers from last season led by 2020's <strong>Cedez Norman, De'Andre Downing, Quymel Chesson</strong> and 2022 forward <strong>Omar Harris</strong>. Harris is due for a breakout year after averaging 8.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as a freshman.</p> <h5>3. Northwest Halifax Vikings</h5> <h6>2018-19: 25-2, 12-0 conference</h6> <p>The Northwest Halifax Vikings are back in 2019-20 and return their top three scorers from 2018-19. They were a No. 3 seed in last year's state tournament but fell in the third round to Roxboro Community. 2020s <strong>Danyus Daniels, Josh Norman</strong> and <strong>Cadrilyus Squire</strong> are back looking to avenge their early exit. Daniels was a walking double-double putting up 18.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game along with 2.0 blocks per contest. After putting in work all summer, look for him to lead the way once again.</p> <h5>4. Princeton Bulldogs</h5> <h6>2018-19: 23-3, 12-0 conference</h6> <p>The Princeton Bulldogs return three of the top four scorers from a year ago after making it to the second round of the state tournament. 2021 guard <strong>Jaheim Taylor</strong> did a little bit of everything this past season, leading the team in scoring (16.6 ppg) and steals (3.0 spg). 2022 <strong>Nayshin Waller</strong> is another player in their backcourt due for a strong season. He produced 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals per contest in 2018-19. </p> <h5>5. Granville Central Panthers</h5> <h6>2018-19: 19-9, 12-2 conference</h6> <p>The Granville Central Panthers have a dynamic duo of<strong> Terence Harcum Jr.</strong> and <strong>Jamari Mann</strong> ready to do damage after falling in the third round of last year's state tournament. Harcum averaged 25.7 points per game in 2018-19 and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he averaged 30 points per contest as he's improved his outside shooting a ton. Mann led the team in 3-pointers made last season with 73. He should eclipse 20 points per game in 2019-20. Add in 2021<strong> Tyler Coley</strong> and 2020<strong> J.J. Tilley</strong> and what they bring to the table and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them make a deep run in the 1A State Tournament in 2019-20.</p>