NCHSAA 1A: The Contender Series, 2nd Edition

<h5>With the second half of the high school basketball season set to kick off this week, here’s a look at the 2nd edition of The Contender Series for the NCHSAA 1A level.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Hayesville High (11-0)</h5> <p>Hayesville High remains unbeaten on the year at 11-0 following their victory in the Maroon Devils Christmas Classic. [player_tooltip player_id="1123942" first="Jake" last="McTaggart"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1219922" first="Kolbe" last="Ashe"] are two unsigned senior names to keep eyes on as is junior shooter Ethan Hooper. They’re a well-coached group with some depth at their disposal. They should be a strong squad at the end of the conference schedule with a 3-0 record under their belt already. </p> <h5>Chatham Charter (13-1)</h5> <p>Chatham Charter remains a top contender at the 1A level with just one loss entering the New Year. Junior prospects [player_tooltip player_id="1257290" first="Adam" last="Harvey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1360334" first="Aamir" last="Mapp"] continue to lead the charge for their squad. Harvey is putting up 15.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 3.2 apg while Mapp is posting 12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.6 apg as well on the wing. They’ve won six straight games since losing by a point in overtime to Uwharrie Charter Academy. Look for them to make waves in the state playoffs.</p> <h5>KIPP Pride High (8-0)</h5> <p>KIPP Pride High remains unbeaten at 8-0 following an 82-58 victory over Rocky Mount Prep on Tuesday night. [player_tooltip player_id="955855" first="Chicale" last="Ward"], [player_tooltip player_id="854922" first="Khyelle" last="Ingram"] and <strong>Tre Hardie </strong>have proven to be a formidable trio with Ward posting 24.6 ppg, Ingram logging 17.6 ppg and Hardie with 12.3 ppg. They’ve got an opportunity to be quite the talented squad as they’re already 5-0 in conference action. If they can continue their winning ways, look for them to be a contender when the playoffs arrive.</p> <h5>Winston-Salem Prep (7-2)</h5> <p>Winston-Salem Prep has won six games and counting heading into the New Year. [player_tooltip player_id="1226608" first="Yohance" last="Connor"] is the leading name, despite being a member of NC’s 2025 class, as he’s put up 19.4 ppg and 11.6 rpg as an active prospect on all three levels. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1273256" first="Jamison" last="Graves"] has put up 16.8 ppg while [player_tooltip player_id="1360343" first="Areon" last="Matthews"] is another 2023 prospect to keep eyes on with his length and ability at 6-foot-4. He’s put up 13.2 ppg, 13.1 rpg and 2.2 bpg in the frontcourt. They’ve got a nice blend of youth and veterans that should be quite the formidable opponent by the end of February.</p> <h5>Thomasville High (7-2)</h5> <p>Thomasville High has won five games in a row and counting with 2023 Johnathan Gladden and 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1279111" first="Malachi" last="Mcknight"] as a few names to know for this squad. They’re off to a 3-0 start in conference play with a few more non-conference games remaining on the slate. Since following to Oak Grove back on Dec. 21, they seem to have hit another gear as a group and it’s shown in the results. Look for them to be a talented bunch by the arrival of the playoffs.</p>