NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs: Final Four Preview

Jay Anderson March 5, 2020 @ 12:42 PM

The High School Basketball season is almost to an end as the NCHSAA 2A Final Four approaches. Here's a look at this year's Final Four field. <h5 style="text-align: center;">Henderson Collegiate (25-10) vs. North Edgecombe (27-2) - March 7 - Noon (Minges Coliseum)</h5> The Henderson Collegiate Pride and North Edgecombe Warriors will clash for a ticket to the 1A State Title game. The Warriors defeated the Granville Central Panthers 90-71 to advance to the Final Four. I’Jheaur Sharpe, Marvin Tucker, Amarion McCrae and D’Shun Edwards are a rotation that look poised to make a run but Henderson Collegiate lays in waiting to return to the state title game. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="770286" first="Akhiris" last="Holden"] led the way for the Pride in a 72-62 over Edenton in the Elite Eight. Holden put up 26 points and eight rebounds on 12-of-14 shooting from the field (86 percent). Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="575163" first="Javonte" last="Waverly"] posted 12 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals while [player_tooltip player_id="770282" first="Kalib" last="Matthews"] had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. As they've progressed, Holden has been an X-Factor on both ends and will look to continue their quest to their first state title. <h5 style="text-align: center;">Winston-Salem Prep (21-8) vs. Chatham Charter (32-1) - March 7 - 4:30 PM (Tarton Complex)</h5> The Winston-Salem Prep Phoenix and Chatham Charter Knights face off at Catawba Valley Community College at Tarton Complex for a chance to go to the State Title game. The Phoenix got a big game from [player_tooltip player_id="838054" first="T.J." last="Mills"] in a victory over Mountain Island Charter 85-69. Mills posted 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field (59 percent). His performance was followed up by a triple-double from Stephen Minor. He had a strong game again 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as he continues his breakout campaign in the playoffs. Chatham Charter got a close 74-72 victory over Lincoln Charter thanks to senior forward Jordan Hamilton, who posted 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Connor Murphy is another senior that went off in their Elite Eight victory with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Another prospect to keep an eye on is junior Trevor Golden, who went off for 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. They're a team that should pose as a challenge for Winston-Salem Prep.