NCISAA 3A- Who To Watch?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asheville School- While the national spotlight may be off the Blues after losing social media darling Gus Yalden, the two guard tandem of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220895' first='Derin' last='Saran']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641138' first='Kaden' last='Holdbrook']</strong> will look to get revenge on 3A after their upset loss in the state tournament last year. Saran is a D1 level point guard who can score, pass, and rebound extremely well for his position. Holdbrook is a sniper who will help provide perimeter scoring for both the Blues and whatever D2/D3 school he ends up at. A name to watch in the frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='1426738' first='Ryan' last='Soulis'], who has now appeared for the U-18 team for Greece this summer. He is skilled offensively and an athletic presence down low. Sleepers will include wings <strong>Murathan Kocaman</strong> and <strong>Michael Mora</strong>, both skilled wings. The Blues will have a lot of talent to compete with the class and should be one of the favorites this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High Point Christian- Last year's state heartbreaking championship loss is guaranteed to be on the minds of this group as they look to bounce back this year. Floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1241703' first='Darius' last='Kane'] is back for one more ride with the Cougars; he's a great finisher and scorer inside the arc and plays with effort and passion on defense. Isaiah Sanders is just a junior but was All-State last year, and he will add shooting and some real quickness to that backcourt. <strong>Taft Johnson</strong> and <strong>Adam Garner</strong> highlight the forwards group, with Garner an elite vertical and above the rim threat. Look out for 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641150' first='Tobius' last='Baker']</strong> to make an impact in his first season, and you can see how HPCA should be just as ready to compete with everyone in 3A this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southlake Christian- Micah Handlogten has left a gaping hole in the Southlake Christian front-court, but I still believe this team has plenty of room to excel. [player_tooltip player_id='1363365' first='Christian' last='Monroe'] will lead this squad as a versatile scorer and shooter, and will get even more shooting help from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1241724' first='Maddox' last='Watson'], who was a 40% shooter from deep last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1363364' first='Larson' last='Gazzaway'] will provide some size and strength as a tweener forward this year, and <strong>Jordan Allen</strong> will be a name to watch. Only 6'4 but 280 pounds, he may be able to provide some valuable experience and physical size for a team that may now lack it. Monroe and Watson will be enough for the Eagles to still contend in this class, and we should see this team win a lot of games this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concord Academy- Concord Academy may be the defending champions, but it's what they added that is more exciting. [player_tooltip player_id='577871' first='Avion' last='Pinner'] (pictured) is an elite defender and loves to hustle all over the floor. He deserves high levels of attention from almost any program. [player_tooltip player_id='956789' first='Noah' last='Van Bibber'] is one of the elite shooters in both the class and the state and the Winthrop commit will be tasked to handle the bulk of the scoring load for this squad, but [player_tooltip player_id='1008884' first='JJ' last='Moore'] should also provide some assistance. Moore had an outstanding live period, and his elite quickness should help the Eagles get out in transition as well as him getting downhill in the half court. A big unknown and name to watch for is 6'10 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641137' first='Peter' last='Asceric']</strong>, who has come over from Serbia. He is a major unknown in his skillset and ability now, but anyone playing legitimate minutes in the Serbian top league's U19 has to be able to contribute in high school. Overall, this Eagles squad has major talent and will be near the top of the pile this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cape Fear Academy- The Hurricanes should be locked and loaded this year as a team returning many guys. [player_tooltip player_id='1176150' first='Vytas' last='Nausedas'] is an athletic wing who is a mismatch for many smaller defenders, and a prototypical college player. He should be a signee somewhere soon and will flourish once his jumper takes a couple more steps. Big forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641139' first='Saransh' last='Padhy']</strong> will be a force inside, as he can jump above the rim and play as a big defender. Names to watch that will be intriguing are sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641140' first='Isaiah' last='Gibson']</strong> and lean forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641141' first='Thomas' last='Watkins']</strong>. Expect a big year once again from this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->