NCHSAA Favorites: 3A Preview

<p>The NCHSAA 2020-21 season finally underway as public school basketball heats up in the state of North Carolina. Here's a look at some early favorites at the 3A level.</p> <h5>1.  Freedom Patriots (1-0)</h5> <p>Freedom Patriots return juniors Quentin Rice and Tyler Ledford from last year’s  29-1 squad and 11-1 in the Northwestern Conference. They were set to face Westover in the 3A State Title game before the pandemic cut things short in 2019-20. They’re off to a 1-0 start in 2020-21 and should be favored to return to the title game this season.</p> <h5>2. Kings Mountain Mountaineers (1-0) </h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="947095" first="Isaiah" last="Tate"] and the Kings Mountain Mountaineers are set to turn a corner in 2020-21. Tate posted 31 points (10-of-14 FG) and 10 assists in their opening win over Stuart Cramer. [player_tooltip player_id="1113865" first="Zeke" last="Cannedy"] is a new name to track after posting 21 points (8-of-10 FG) and four steals as well. Senior guard <strong>Matt Toms</strong> also had eight rebounds and eight assists.</p> <h5>3. Weddington Warriors (2-0)</h5> <p>The Weddington Warriors have a strong cast of prospects in [player_tooltip player_id="848074" first="Chase" last="Lowe"], [player_tooltip player_id="572987" first="Brock" last="Bowen"], AJ Cook and [player_tooltip player_id="1028003" first="Kyle" last="Frazier"] in 2020-21. They’re 2-0 already with Lowe averaging 12.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 6.0 apg and 4.0 spg and Bowen producing 11.0 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.5 rpg through their first two wins. Cook and Bowen have combined to make nine 3-pointers. Look for them to make waves in the Southern Carolina Conference. </p> <h5>4. Clayton Comets (2-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="838043" first="Justin" last="Bell"] and Owen Woznichak are off to hot starts for the Comets as they look to repeat as Greater Neuse champions and return to the state playoffs where they fell in the fourth round last season. They’re an underrated squad at the 3A level. </p> <h5>5. Huss Huskies (2-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1008884" first="JJ" last="Moore"] is posting 22.5 ppg, 8.0 apg and 6.5 rpg for the Huss Huskies as they’re off to a 2-0 start in 2020-21 season. They’re a scrappy group with seniors<strong> Kendall Corry</strong> and <strong>Noah Caulder</strong> in the rotation as solid contributors after going 26-5 and 11-1 in the Big South Conference.</p> <h5>6. Cox Mill Chargers (2-0)</h5> <p>The Cox Mill Chargers have two wins already under their belt against Jay M. Robinson. <strong>Marcus Morgan, Noah McClanahan</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id="1113884" first="Zach" last="Riddle"] (Shenandoah commit) are some notable prospects in their rotation to keep eyes on. Look for them to make some noise in the South Piedmont Conference.</p> <h5>7. Northern Guilford Nighthawks (1-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="577864" first="Nolan" last="Hodge"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1113888" first="Jackson" last="Helms"] are two versatile playmakers to keep eyes on for Northern Guilford. Helms put up 23 points, five assists and three steals in their season-opening win over Rockhingham County. Hodge finished with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. They’re a long and talented squad that can make a state playoff run when it’s all said and done. </p> <h5>8. Terry Sanford Bulldogs (1-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="787668" first="Davis" last="Molnar"] and the Terry Sanford Bulldogs are set to make some noise following their season-opening win over Westover, 52-47. He posted a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to pace his squad to a win over a talented Westover squad. They’re one to watch out of Fayetteville.</p>