NCHSAA Favorites: 1A Preview

<p>The NCHSAA season is finally underway as January rings in the 2021 year. Here’s a look at an early Top 8 of 1A squads to watch in the HoopState. </p> <h5>1. Henderson Collegiate Pride (1-0)</h5> <p>The Henderson Collegiate Pride look to return the the 1A State title game after being named co-champions in 2019-20 alongside Winston-Salem Prep. They defeated conference rival Voyager Academy 96-55 behind strong performances from [player_tooltip player_id="575163" first="Javonte" last="Waverly"], [player_tooltip player_id="1082597" first="Omahj" last="Evans"] and [player_tooltip player_id="770286" first="Akhiris" last="Holden"]. They’re a deep squad with aspirations of winning another state title.</p> <h5>2. Princeton Bulldogs (2-0)</h5> <p>It’s been smooth sailing so far in 2020-21 for the Princeton Bulldogs as they’ve outscored opponents 162-75 through the first two victories. [player_tooltip player_id="838059" first="Jaheim" last="Taylor"], [player_tooltip player_id="854880" first="Aden" last="Taylor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="985975" first="Tyrese" last="Whitley"] are fun to watch given their abilities to do multiple things on both ends. They should make some noise when the state tournament arrives.</p> <h5>3. Granville Central Panthers (2-0)</h5> <p>The Granville Central Panthers are 2-0 on the young season led by [player_tooltip player_id="574412" first="Terence" last="Harcum"] Jr. (App. State), unsigned guard [player_tooltip player_id="838063" first="Jamari" last="Mann"] and emerging sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1113664" first="KJ" last="Green"]. They’ve got a solid trio of players that play together and move the ball well offensively and defend as a unit on the defensive end. Look for them to be a top squad at the 1A level. </p> <h5>4. John A. Holmes Aces (1-0)</h5> <p>The John Holmes Aces return led by an electric scoring guard in [player_tooltip player_id="1078985" first="Jewell" last="Coston"] looking to do more damage in 2020-21. He’s an emerging senior name due to lead a squad that went 23-2 in 2019-20 and 9-1 in Albemarle Athletic Conference action. They’ve got a 51-26 win over conference-foe Pasquotank County already. Look for them to make a run to the state title game.</p> <h5>5. Lincoln Charter Eagles (1-0) </h5> <p>Lincoln Charter Eagles return junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="848088" first="Sam" last="Cogan"] and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1113404" first="Carter" last="Seitz"] in 2020-21 who both put up 18 points apiece to power the squad to a 77-44 victory to open the season. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1006292" first="Troy" last="Fulton"] also had 12 points. They’re a sharpshooting yet efficient group that should make a deep run in the NCHSAA State playoffs after going 27-3 in 2019-20 and 12-0 in the Southern Piedmont Conference.</p> <h5>6. Mountain Island Charter Raptors (2-0)</h5> <p>The Mountain Island Charter Raptors went 23-6 last season and 14-0 in PAC 7 action this past season and senior returners [player_tooltip player_id="1113403" first="Marquis" last="Williams"], [player_tooltip player_id="1113401" first="Gabriel" last="Stephens"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1113402" first="Najee" last="Steward"] look to make a deeper run. They lost in the fourth round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs last season to Winston-Salem Prep and return looking to go a lot further in 2020-21.</p> <h5>7. Wilson Prep Tigers (0-0)</h5> <p>The Wilson Prep Tigers haven’t gotten their 2020-21 season underway just yet but they’re a talented group led by [player_tooltip player_id="932063" first="Nasiar" last="Blackston"], [player_tooltip player_id="932062" first="Devyn" last="Bullock"], [player_tooltip player_id="1013512" first="Eric" last="Wynn"], Adrian Land and newcomers [player_tooltip player_id="848086" first="Nayshin" last="Waller"], [player_tooltip player_id="1104960" first="Brandon" last="Anderson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1076358" first="Daidien" last="Sutton"]. Look for them to make a ton of noise at the 1A level in 2020-21.</p> <h5>8. Louisburg Warriors</h5> <p>The Louisburg Warriors will have a young core leading the way in [player_tooltip player_id="854889" first="Jordan" last="Durham"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1076341" first="Tymar" last="Kearney"] but, they’ll have a veteran sharpshooter on the wing in Ethan Wood and some size on the interior in sophomore forward Marcus Portis. They’re another squad that has yet to play this season, but they’ll be in action on Friday against South Granville.</p>