NCHSAA 1A West Favorites, 3rd Edition

<h5>The NCHSAA regular season is almost complete. Here we take a look at the 3rd edition of 1A West Favorites to win the state crown.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Hayesville (20-0)</h5> <p>Hayesville High remains unbeaten at 20-0 heading into postseason play. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1219922" first="Kolbe" last="Ashe"] and Jack Mctaggart are two big contributors to their unbeaten season as they head into their conference tournament tonight. 2023 Ethan Hooper is one to know as well with his ability to make plays and knock down shots. </p> <h5>Winston-Salem Prep (18-2)</h5> <p>2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1273256" first="Jamison" last="Graves"] has been a newcomer to watch with this group as he’s posted 18.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 3.5 spg. They’ve won 17 games in a row. [player_tooltip player_id="1360343" first="Areon" last="Matthews"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1226608" first="Yohance" last="Connor"] are two other names to know with this group. Matthews is a rim-protector swatting 2.3 bpg. Connor is averaging a double-double 17.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg. Don’t be surprised if they make a deep run in the playoffs.</p> <h5>Bessemer City (17-3)</h5> <p>Bessemer City has won 10 games in a row with [player_tooltip player_id="1379484" first="Randall" last="Pettus"] as one of their leading names. Pettus is filling up the stat sheet with 25.8 ppg, 6.9 apg and 6.6 rpg on the year. [player_tooltip player_id="1326638" first="Keyshawn" last="Adams"] is another sizeable prospect to know, putting up 15.2 ppg, 13.6 rpg and 3.8 bpg as a presence in the paint. <strong>Nazari Smarr </strong>is another 2023 name to keep eyes on as well for this group.</p> <h5>Mount Airy (15-4)</h5> <p>Mount Airy has won eight games in a row heading into postseason play. [player_tooltip player_id="1085521" first="Brooks" last="Sizemore"] has led the way for them with 14.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.1 apg and 2.1 spg with his ability to knock down shots on the perimeter. Sophomore Tyler Mason has been a head-turner as well with 12.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 1.9 spg. They should surprise some teams out of the 1A West.</p> <h5>South Stokes (18-4)</h5> <p>South Stokes has won six games in a row heading into conference tournament action. Nathaniel Sisk and DJ Goolsby are two senior names to know with them while sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1273265" first="Isiah" last="Lash"] is another name to know with size on the interior. With some experience at each position, the Sauras are an underrated squad to keep an eye on in the 1A West.</p>