NCHSAA 4A: The Contender Series, 2nd Edition

<h5>The 2nd Edition of The Contender Series kicks off the New Year with a look at five squads playing well on the NCHSAA 4A stage and the prospects to keep an eye on for them.</h5> <h5> </h5> <h5>Weddington High (11-0)</h5> <p>Weddington High is one of two squads that remains unbeaten in The Contender Series, showing no signs of slowing down since moving up to the NCHSAA 4A level from 3A. Unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id="848074" first="Chase" last="Lowe"] continues to lead the charge for them with 17.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.8 spg while shooting 54 percent from the field. He’s a 6-foot-5 versatile wing that makes plays for himself and others getting to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="577872" first="AJ" last="Cook"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1028003" first="Kyle" last="Frazier"] are two other unsigned seniors that are leading the way as well. Cook has knocked down 41 3-pointers this season and is producing 15.0 ppg along with 3.3 rpg and 3.1 apg. Frazier is posting 15.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg while shooting  45 percent from the floor and 31 percent from behind the arc. He’s made 30 3-pointers on the season. Lowe, Frazier and Cook are a trio to get eyes with the potential to make a deep run in the state playoffs.</p> <h5>Richmond County Senior High (11-0)</h5> <p>Richmond County Senior High is a young group that remains unbeaten on the season at 11-0. They’re led by 6-foot-6 hybrid wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id="1076334" first="Paul" last="McNeil"], who headlines the top of the 2024 class in the state. He’s put up 23.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.3 spg and 1.3 bpg to make his presence felt on the floor. The role players are right behind him as well with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1163509" first="Javian" last="Drake"] and junior [player_tooltip player_id="1163962" first="Dakota" last="Chavis"]. Drake is putting up 11.0 ppg, 2.7 apg and 2.4 spg. Chavis is averaging 8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.8 spg in the backcourt. A sleeper name to know is [player_tooltip player_id="1278009" first="Zion" last="Baldwin"]; he’s a 6-foot-3 athletic, energy guy in the 2023 class that’s posted 7.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.8 spg on the season. This squad’s depth has shown and will carry them far in this year’s state playoffs.</p> <h5>North Mecklenburg High (12-1)</h5> <p>North Mecklenburg High continues to be a top squad in the 704 area with an 11-1 record entering the New Year. [player_tooltip player_id="1121033" first="Jordan" last="Crawford"] (College of Charleston) and [player_tooltip player_id="1028009" first="Davion" last="Cunningham"] are a top senior backcourt duo while 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id="1154560" first="Isaiah" last="Evans"] has shown his development on the wing already and continues his growth. 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1076344" first="Christian" last="Foy"] is another prospect in NC’s sophomore class to keep an eye on with his ability to make an impact down low. The Vikings are an impressive bunch of veterans and youth that should be a strong squad in the state playoffs.</p> <h5>Grimsley High (10-1)</h5> <p>Grimsley High has emerged as a solid squad on the NCHSAA 4A stage under head coach Darren Corbett. They suffered their first loss of the season in the HAECO Invitational Championship against private-school power Greensboro Day School. Senior trio [player_tooltip player_id="1358915" first="Tyler" last="Albright"] (Duke- baseball), [player_tooltip player_id="1358920" first="Jordan" last="Wall"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1358921" first="Jayden" last="Watlington"] have stepped up in a big way as they enter the bulk of their conference schedule. Albright leads the way in the backcourt with 15.4 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.2 rpg and 3.5 spg. He’s an all-around guard with a high IQ for making plays. Wall is right behind him with 15.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.4 apg. He’s a 5-foot-10 guard that can operate on all three levels. Watlington is the third option in the backcourt that’s producing 10.3 ppg,m 3.9 rpg and 2.7 apg. They’re a guard trio that shares the ball and has found a way to turn it into success on the hardwood. </p> <h5>Jordan High (9-2)</h5> <p>Jordan High has won five-straight games since losing their second game of the year to Millbrook High back on Dec. 7. They’re playing a strong brand of basketball led by 2023s [player_tooltip player_id="1343866" first="Clash" last="Peters"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1350176" first="RJ" last="Bridges"] and lead 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1343876" first="Jayan" last="Walker"]. Peters is posting a double-double average of 12.7 ppg and 11.0 rpg along with 2.1 bpg. Bridges is a two-way presence, averaging 9.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 spg and 1.9 apg, using his skills to make an impact in a variety of ways. Walker is an athletic backcourt presence that’s posting 12.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 spg and 1.5 apg in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="1143945" first="Walker" last="Woodall"] is also a sharpshooter to keep an eye on, averaging 8.7 ppg on 45 percent shooting from behind the arc. They’re a deep squad that’s learning to play together under a first-year head coach in Derek Ross and playing well.</p>