NCHSAA 4A Preview: Top Backcourts, Part I
The public high school basketball season is right around the corner as practices begin. Here’s a look at Part I of some backcourts to keep eyes on at the NCHSAA 4A level. Weddington: Chase Lowe Chase Lowe 6'4" |…
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Continue ReadingThe public high school basketball season is right around the corner as practices begin. Here’s a look at Part I of some backcourts to keep eyes on at the NCHSAA 4A level.
Weddington: Chase Lowe Chase Lowe 6'4" | SF Weddington | 2022 State NC & AJ Cook AJ Cook 5'10" | SG Weddington | 2022 State NC (2022s)
Lowe and Cook are quite the 1-2 punch at Weddington High. They went unbeaten all year in 2020-21 finishing at 18-0 on their way to the 3A State Title and look to move up to the 4A stage and to do the same. While Lowe & Cook are just a few names to know in the backcourt, they’re the leaders that return from last year’s state title team. Lowe holds offers from Army and Elon while Cook was recently offered by Guilford College.
Ardrey Kell: Evan Smith Evan Smith 6'4" | PG Ardrey Kell | 2022 State NC (2022) & Brandon Nelson Brandon Nelson 6'2" | SG Indian Land | 2023 State SC (2023)
Smith and Nelson were in last year’s 4A State Title game and return looking to avenge coming up short in overtime as the leaders of this year’s group that went 10-1. Smith is an impressive lead guard that gets to his spots on the floor and can distribute the ball. He led the squad with 7.0 apg in 2020-21. Nelson was a top shooter from behind the arc, knocking down 31 percent of his 3-pointers. His role should grow with some key departures.
Richmond County: Paul McNeil Paul McNeil 6'6" | SG Richmond County | 2024 State #172 Nation NC Jr./ Jamarion Wall Jamarion Wall 5'11" | PG Richmond County Senior | 2024 State NC / Javian Drake Javian Drake 5'10" | PG Richmond Senior | 2024 State NC (2024)
Richmond County should be a team to watch in 2021-22 with a strong trio of guards led by Paul McNeil Paul McNeil 6'6" | SG Richmond County | 2024 State #172 Nation NC Jr., the top prospect in the 2024 class. He’s a sharpshooter and high-level creator and Wall and Drake are quite the complimentary guards as Drake is the ball-handler and playmaker and Wall is another creator and shooter with range that they have in their arsenal. They should be a fun group to watch this season.
Wake Forest: Dashaun Grant Dashaun Grant 6'0" | CG Wake Forest | 2023 State NC & AJ Smalls AJ Smalls 6'2" | SG Wake Forest | 2023 State NC & Nigel Lucas Nigel Lucas 6'1" | CG Wake Forest | 2023 State NC (2023s)
Wake Forest High is a budding program with a trio of guards to keep eyes on in Grant, Smalls and Lucas. The trio all averaged double-figures in scoring this past season with Grant posting 15.0 ppg, Smalls post 14.5 ppg and Lucas posted 10.6 ppg. Grant is even more impressive as a rebounder (5.3 rpg) and playmaker (3.5 apg) that can do multiple things. Smalls is impressive off the bounce and Lucas will emerge as a 3-point threat. They’ll be a top team to keep eyes on in the NAC-6.
Millbrook: Jacob Lawton Jacob Lawton 5'8" | PG Millbrook | 2024 State NC (2024) & Jaylan Bowen Jaylan Bowen 5'11" | CG Millbrook | 2022 State NC (2022)
The Wildcats will reload with some key departures but Lawton and Bowen are two names to keep an eye on in the backcourt in 2021-22. While they’re not the biggest, they make big plays on both ends of the floor utilizing their quickness and strength to make an impact. Lawton is an emerging young prospect that can handle the ball and run the offense. Bowen is a sharpshooter and creator off the bounce that can also distribute. They’ll be fun to watch along with some other names in the Millbrook High rotation.