NCHSAA 2A East Favorites, 3rd Edition

<h5>With the final week of the high school regular season complete, we take a look at some 2A East favorites to win the state crown.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Farmville Central (19-3)</h5> <p>The defending 2A State Champions already have three losses under their belt with juniors [player_tooltip player_id="854917" first="Jah" last="Short"] and [player_tooltip player_id="854911" first="Jayden" last="Pitt"] leading the charge for them in 2021-22. They’ve been a tough out, especially in conference action, as they’ve won eight games in a row. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1076368" first="Alex" last="Moye"] and freshman MJ Williams are two prospects to track early with this squad as well as a 2A East favorite. </p> <h5>Cummings (16-0)</h5> <p>Cummings High will look to complete their perfect regular season on Friday night in their final game in conference play against Graham High before beginning their conference tournament. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1382077" first="Johnniyus" last="Sharpe"] has led the way for them in more ways than one as have seniors <strong>Zion Crawley</strong> and <strong>Dylantae James </strong>and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1131338" first="Kaden" last="Hammond"] is another young name to know. They’ll be a squad out of Burlington to keep a close eye on out of the 2A East with some talent to keep an eye on.</p> <h5>Kinston (17-2)</h5> <p>Kinston High went 11-0 in conference action and rides a nine-game winning streak into the postseason portion of the schedule. They’ll close things out tonight against North Lenoir. [player_tooltip player_id="577842" first="Jeremy" last="Dixon"] and 2023 big man [player_tooltip player_id="854918" first="Horace" last="Smith"] are a few of the names to keep watch on as they look to make a run in the state playoffs.</p> <h5>Goldsboro (15-4)</h5> <p>Goldsboro High has won 10 games in a row heading into postseason action thanks largely to the play of 2023 big man [player_tooltip player_id="949375" first="Ta’Korrie" last="Faison"]. Faison has put up solid production as he’s surpassed the 1,000 point mark in his career, posting 26.8 ppg, 15.4 rpg and 3.5 bpg in his junior campaign. 2023 Tajmari Joyner is another 2023 to keep an eye with this group with the potential to make a run in the state playoffs.</p> <h5>St. Paul’s (16-5)</h5> <p>St. Paul’s High is another team in the 2A East region that’s riding a winning streak into postseason action. They’ve won 11 games in a row with Red Springs on the road tonight. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1032850" first="Jeyvian" last="Tatum"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1317697" first="Josh" last="Henderson"] are looking to go out with a bang in their final season. 2023 big man Marcus Galbreath Jr is another one to keep an eye on in the frontcourt at 6-foot-8.</p>