10 Teams to Keep an Eye on in the HoopState

<p>There are a number of teams in the state of North Carolina with some talented prospects in their rotations. Here's a look at 10 teams to get out and watch this season. </p> <h5>Moravian Prep (National)</h5> <p>The Moravian Prep National team is playing a loaded schedule against some top teams across the country and state of North Carolina. One event to catch them in this season is the John Wall Holiday Invitation which begins on Dec. 26. They also have The Burlington School (12/17) and Word of God (1/18) on the schedule. They're led by 2020 five-star forward <strong>Josh Hall,</strong> 2020 guard <strong>Shakeel Moore</strong> and other talented prospects college coaches will want to see.</p> <h5>Word of God</h5> <p>Michigan commit <strong>Isaiah Todd</strong> leads a totally new group at Word of God Christian Academy this season. Some names to keep an eye on are 2020 point guard <strong>Chase Forte</strong>, 2020 guard <strong>Quandre Bullock</strong> and 2020 shooting guard <strong>Po'Boigh King</strong>. They'll be in this year's John Wall Holiday Invitational along with tournaments in Milwaukee, Washington D.C. and the Chick-Fil-A Tournament in South Carolina. They'll be another team from the state that should be battle-tested by season's end.</p> <h5>Greensboro Day School</h5> <p>Greensboro Day School has quite the talented group from top to bottom heading into the senior seasons of a prolific backcourt in <strong>Cam Hayes</strong> and <strong>Carson McCorkle</strong>. The Bengals will appear in games against some of the top teams in the state like Christ School to open the season on Nov. 9 then The Burlington School, Cannon School and Ravenscroft. They also will appear in the Bass Pro Tournament at Missouri State in January. To top all that off, they'll be looking for their fourth NCISAA state title in a row.</p> <h5>Kinston</h5> <p>The Kinston High School Vikings are set to get strong senior seasons from <strong>Isaac Parson</strong> and <strong>Chance Minott</strong> in the backcourt with 2021 junior <strong>Dontrez Styles</strong> as the anchor in 2019-20. They're another team that's set to appear in the John Wall Holiday Invitational on Dec. 26 and are also hosting their own event on Jan. 18 while facing off against Farmville Central. Look for them to be a contender in the 2A State Title picture.</p> <h5>Millbrook</h5> <p>The Millbrook Wildcats are stacked from top to bottom with their rotation of New Mexico commit <strong>Noah Dorsey</strong>, 2020 forward <strong>Sam Hood</strong>, 2021 forwards <strong>Eric van der Heidjen</strong> and <strong>Will Felton</strong> and 2020 forward <strong>Jalen McCoy</strong> will pose quite the matchup problems at the 4A level. They'll be a team to watch in the John Wall Holiday Invitational and the headliner in the sixth annual Millbrook Showcase on Dec. 7.</p> <h5>Farmville Central</h5> <p>The defending NCHSAA 2A State Champions went undefeated in 2018-19 with a record of 32-0 and return their dynamic duo of 2020 point guard <strong>Justin Wright</strong>, who's headed to NC Central, and 2021 guard <strong>Terquavion Smith</strong>, who's headed to NC State. 2020 guard <strong>Samage Teel</strong> is a breakout player to watch as they look to make another state title run. They'll face Kinston on Jan. 18.</p> <h5>Vance </h5> <p>The Vance High School Cougars will have quite the formidable frontcourt with 2020<strong> Daniel Ransom</strong> and 2022 forward<strong> Daniel Sanford</strong> on the court. We've heard good things about 2023 guard <strong>Jaylen Curry</strong> as well. They'll be a team watch in this year's Charlotte Hoops Challenge and in the Ashbrook Holiday Hoopfest Dec. 26-28. </p> <h5>Independence</h5> <p>Independence High School is due for a strong season, especially opening on the road at North Mecklenburg on Nov. 19. A few days later on Nov. 22, they'll face Northside Christian Academy in the Queen City Classic. 2021 forward <strong>Omarion Bodrick</strong> is an exciting player to watch when he's on the hardwood. He plays well with 2020 <strong>Anthony Allen</strong> manning the point guard position. 6-foot-4 senior <strong>Nygell Verdier</strong> is another player to watch in the backcourt as well.</p> <h5>Henderson Collegiate</h5> <p>Henderson Collegiate is probably one of the deepest teams on the wing and in the backcourt at the 1A level. They've got 2021 <strong>Javonte Waverly</strong>, 2020 Queens commit <strong>Kalib Matthews</strong>, 2021 guards <strong>JaQuaveon Venable</strong> and <strong>Nick Green</strong> and 2021 wing <strong>Akhiris Holden</strong> to work with in a rotation of lengthy and competitive guards. They've put together quite the challenging schedule with the likes of Piedmont Classical (Nov. 7), Combine Academy (Nov. 23) and Independence (Jan. 4) on their radar. It will be interesting how they respond as a unit to facing teams with bigger size.</p> <h5>Liberty Heights</h5> <p>Liberty Heights High School is a team with tons of potential in their wheelhouse for the 2019-20 season. They've got 6-foot-6 shooter <strong>Kahari Rogers</strong>, who holds a few D1 offers, then 6-foot-4 <strong>Kamryn Edwards</strong>, who's confidence has grown over the past few months. 2020 forward <strong>Tay Williams</strong> is a name that will be known by season's end given what he can do at 6-foot-9 with the ball in his hands. They'll be a team to watch in this year's Governor's Challenge in Salisbury, Maryland and in the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic to open the season on Nov. 8-9. </p>