NCHSAA 3A: The Contender Series

<h5>The high school basketball season is well underway in the state of North Carolina. Here’s an early look at five squads to keep an eye on at the NCHSAA 3A level that are playing well.<br /> <br /> </h5> <h5>South Central High </h5> <p>South Central had a bit of a down season in 2020-21 due to Covid but they’re right back at the top of things on the 3A stage with unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="848084" first="Neeko" last="Taylor"], [player_tooltip player_id="848081" first="Joe" last="Thompson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="577851" first="Omar" last="Harris"]. Taylor leads the way with 16.0 ppg, 5.0rpg and 3.0 apg, Thompson is right behind him with 12.5 ppg,3.5 rpg and 1.5 apg, and Harris is posted 8.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. They’re a trio set to make waves at the 3A level. Also keep an eye on junior sharpshooter Jahmir Wright. </p> <h5>Central Cabarrus High </h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1218085" first="Jaiden" last="Thompson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1154633" first="Chase" last="Daniel"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1158774" first="Carson" last="Daniel"] are another 3A backcourt trio to keep an eye on with their ability to affect the game on both ends. Thompson is putting up 21.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 spg and 2.0 apg, showing off his ability to get the rebound out the net and make plays. [player_tooltip player_id="1154633" first="Chase" last="Daniel"] is posting 20.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and 3.5 spg while his brother Carson is posting 10.5 ppg, 3.5 spg and 2.5 apg and 2.0 rpg. They’re quite a scrappy bunch that set quite the tone on the floor together and off to a 2-0 start to the 2021-22 season.</p> <h5>Southern Guilford High</h5> <p>Southern Guilford is off to a 2-0 start led by their sophomore duo of Jucqarie Love and Jamais Ferere. They’re both two wiry, athletic guards that can create for themselves and others when they’re on the floor. They aren’t the only ones to keep an eye on either. 6-foot-7 sophomore Eli Slaughter is another name to watch in the rotation. There’s a nice blend of experience and youth with this group to keep an eye on them as contenders.</p> <p><span style="color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem;">CB Aycock High</span></p> <p>CB Aycock went just 4-9 in 2020-21 but they’re off to a 3-0 start in 2021-22 led by the backcourt duo of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1323452" first="Jaidyne" last="Dunn"] and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1076337" first="Kamran" last="Prince"]. Dunn is posting 18.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.5 apg and 1.5 spg, showing off his ability to fill up the stat sheet at 6-foot-1. Prince is right behind him with 13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and 1.5 spg. Unsigned forward Kris Reid is another prospect to watch. He’s posted 13.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 1.0 apg on the young season. They’re a much-improved group looking to make noise this season. </p> <h5>Southern Nash High</h5> <p>Southern Nash is off to a 2-0 start already with 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1046006" first="Jordan" last="Vick"] leading the way with 21.5 ppg, 5.0 spg, 4.0 apg and 4.0 rpg as a top prospect in the class. Ty Taybron is an unsigned senior that’s producing 15.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.0 spg. He’s a late-bloomer that’s emerged as a name to know in their rotation early with two victories already over Fike. They’ll face South Granville on Friday night.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>