NCISAA 2A Preview – Who to Watch?
In this article:
The 2A classification in the NCISAA is LOADED with talent, with enough teams that can make deep runs in the state tournament to have to count on two hands. Check below for all the teams to watch and who will…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2A classification in the NCISAA is LOADED with talent, with enough teams that can make deep runs in the state tournament to have to count on two hands. Check below for all the teams to watch and who will be leading them towards the promised land.
The Burlington School- The Burlington School may be back-to-back champions, but a lot of turnover has occurred within the program. Coach Ryan Bernardi has moved on to national powerhouse Prolific Prep, and dynamic duo Kobe George Kobe George 6'3" | PG Winston-Salem Christian | 2023 #213 Nation NC and Avion Pinner Avion Pinner 6'9" | PF Concord Academy | 2023 State NC have moved to defending 3A champs Concord Academy. However, the Spartans bring back a diverse and talented group to go for state championship number three in a row. Returners Zion Walker Zion Walker 6'2" | PG The Burlington School | 2024 State NC and Myles Hooker, the latter coming off a severe injury, will provide leadership and experience to the Spartans. Ashton Troutman Ashton Troutman 6'7" | SF Uwharrie Charter | 2023 State NC and Steven Lassiter Steven Lassiter 6'6" | PF The Burlington School | 2023 State NC will provide offensive ability to the forwards group, and other guys like Ty Outlaw and Cam Flippen Cam Flippen 6'2" | PG The Burlington School | 2025 State NC will provide depth and ability to the roster as a whole. TBS has to be counted on to be the favorite with such a deep roster that they have.
Trinity Academy- The Tigers have a deep team, and it starts with Trevor Barrett Trevor Barrett 6'2" | PG Trinity Academy | 2024 State NC . The senior guard is a plus shooter who can score the ball from all three levels and would be a welcome addition to lots of programs. Kevon Vanderhorst Kevon Vanderhorst 6'1" | PG Trinity Academy (Raleigh) | 2023 State NC is a fast stockriser as a 2023 guard who led Team Curry 17U in APG at the UAA finals, and having him dominate the ball will help create opportunities for everyone else. Clash Peters Clash Peters 6'8" | PF Word of God | 2024 State NC is an intriguing name in the class of 2024 who is already picking up low major D1 offers as an interior undersized 5 man and will get to have much more of a statewide opportunity to show his talent. With this group of talent and a lot more always waiting to have their turn, Trinity will stay a force this year.
Gaston Day- Gaston Day is a scrappy squad that brings back a lot of their talent and should push to be champions this year in the class. Callum Richard Callum Richard 6'11" | C Gaston Day | 2023 State NC is fresh off committing to East Tennessee State and the rangy big with great interior touch should be the engine that powers the Spartans this year. Collin Fayed and Evan Montanari Evan Montanari 6'2" | SG Gaston Day | 2023 State NC will provide the outside scoring for this group in the backcourt, and don’t count out Kurt Hunter and Chase Owens to provide some real support. A name to watch is 2026 Ayron Jackson. He was 6’4 last season and seems to have gotten bigger in his first year in high school; he’ll be worth monitoring as the season continues.
Northwood Temple- Cannon Keziah Cannon Keziah 6'1" | CG Northwood Temple Academy | 2023 State NC will lead a Northwood Temple squad that does lose a lot of production, including ECSU commit Jaquantae Harris. The Eagles biggest strength this year will be the insane amount of size they now have in their frontcourt. 3 players will now be over 6’11, including returner John Baldwin John Baldwin 6'11" | C Northwood Temple | 2023 State NC , who was the Eagles main presence down low. He will now split time with the “Twin Towers”, who consist of 7 footer Daniel Mbaeteka and 7’1 Harold Oluses. Mbaeteka will look more like the prototypical post scoring big man, while Oluses figures to be athletically oriented like modern 5s. While this team is not the frontrunner in 2A, the addition of this size alone, added by Keziah returning, makes Northwood Temple a team to watch this season.
Wayne Country Day- Collin Tanner Collin Tanner 6'6" | SF Combine Academy | 2023 State NC was the engine that made this WCD team run, and his loss will not help things in Goldsboro. However, this team is still full of talented players. Jordan Cooper Jordan Cooper 6'1" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2023 State NC and Nayshin Waller Nayshin Waller 6'3" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2023 State NC will be the two guards to watch in the Chargers backcourt. Cooper is much more of a perimeter scorer and a passer, while Waller does his damage inside, scoring at the rim with his larger frame. Carlos Vasquez Carlos Vasquez 6'5" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2024 NC is a 2024 combo guard that will probably play more of the 3 and the 4. Kaylen Coles will be the teams leading rebounder as an undersized four. This team returns almost everyone, and even if their star name is gone, this entire team will find ways to replicate success.
Northside Christian- Losing Wesley Tubbs will hurt the Knights, but Northside Christian will absolutely show us new guys to watch on a state level. One of those may be Antonio Perkins Antonio Perkins 6'3" | SG Northside Christian Academy | 2023 State NC , a strong guard who can play both outside and inside as well as defend multiple positions. He will be part of a deep guard group that includes Kyrell Shaw Kyrell Shaw 6'4" | SG Northside Christian Academy | 2024 State NC , Joshua Bullock Joshua Bullock 6'0" | PG Northside Christian Academy | 2024 State NC and Jahmir Brown Jahmir Brown 6'2" | CG JL Chambers | 2023 State NC . With a low amount of frontcourt depth, this team may have to go to 4 or 5 guards at a time during the year. Two younger names to watch are 2026s KJ Shouse and Josiah Johnson. Their development may be key to a successful season.
Check back soon for the NCISAA 3A breakdown.