NCHSAA 4A West Preview – Who To Watch?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out our pre-season class previews is the ever-stacked NCHSAA 4A West class. Check below for who we think will be some of the top teams in the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weddington- Weddington lost a lot of their talent that carried them to consecutive state titles, but they have put together a scrappy group of guys that should keep them towards the top. <strong>Nolan Dunphy</strong> will be the heart and soul of the team as a leader and do-it-all kind of guard. He scores when needed but really contributes as a defender, both on and off the ball. <strong>Aidan Cook</strong> is the younger brother of former Warrior legend AJ, and he can shoot it from deep too. His marksmanship will be key as a lead role guy this year. <strong>Pete Bombardier</strong> and <strong>Jack Ellyson</strong> also can knock it down from deep, making this seem like the best group of shooters in NC. <strong>Noah Muteb</strong> and <strong>Berni Tah</strong> will be the forwards that make up for their lack of size overall with a lot of physicality and heart. They will fight hard down low to get rebounds and play interior defense. This group will be super scrappy and a name to watch as giant killers all year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Meck- North Mecklenburg continues to be a basketball factory, with their next big name being 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1154560' first='Isaiah' last='Evans']. He is such a high motor guy that uses God-given length and athleticism to impact the game on both ends. Offensively, he battles hard getting downhill and above the rim, and defensively he is a monster in the passing lanes and on the ball. You do not want to swing the ball with him in the gap unless you're ready for him to swipe it and go the other way for a big time dunk. [player_tooltip player_id='1225671' first='Ashton' last='Pierce'] is a top 2026 name in the state if not the country, with his crafty scoring ability and playmaking highlighted over the summer. He plays beyond his age with maturity and leadership. Tayvion Roach and [player_tooltip player_id='1076344' first='Christian' last='Foy'] are other names to watch for this squad as they just are so deep. The Vikings will be able to go 9 or 10 deep with talent this year, and end up near the top of the pile once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers- The big name in Jaylen Curry might have left the state, but Chambers is locked and loaded with the rest of its guys back and ready to compete with anyone this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1277983' first='Nick' last='Dorn'] looks to have taken a huge leap forward so far in 2022 and looks to be a natural scorer at every level. He can really shoot the ball from long range, which is his calling card. [player_tooltip player_id='1076352' first='Maurio' last='Hanson'] has gotten a lot better as well with his development in the post. He's got a good amount of skill and does well with his back to the basket as a scorer and passer. A name to watch is 2026 <strong>Tarris Bouie</strong>, a 6'3 guard who isn't finished growing and looks to be oozing potential as a scorer and creator. This squad is strong and well-coached once again, so don't be surprised to see them ending up deep in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers Park- Myers Park brings some real talent back this year, starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1180892' first='Sir' last='Mohammed'] and [player_tooltip player_id='997734' first='Elijah' last='Strong']. Mohammed is a do-it-all kind of wing that excels at getting the ball inside and finishing at the rim. He hustles and makes winning plays all the time, and is a big time leader as well. Strong is a bigger forward at 6'8 and uses his body well in the post as well as attacking the rim. He also crashes the boards well on both ends to secure possessions for his squad. [player_tooltip player_id='1076350' first='Bishop' last='Boswell'] is a new face that should play the combo guard role for them well, as he can score it but really knows how to pass it. He sets up his teammates just as well as he sets himself up. [player_tooltip player_id='1624572' first='Sam' last='Walters'] is a hard-nosed guard that can shoot it but really brings winning intangibles to any program. He is so coachable and works his tail off to continue to grow. <strong>Sadiq White</strong> is another big wing that plays closer to a guard with his athleticism and ability to run the entire court in transition, and loves to play above the rim. This team is so talented and chock full of college commits that they should be the favorites to win the state title this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grimsley- The Whirlies are an intriguing squad that hold a lot of younger talent and may be ahead of schedule to compete at the top this year. <strong>Zacch Wiggins</strong> looks to be lined up for a breakout sophomore season, with his unique blend of athleticism, size, and skill for his young age. He plays the forward spots well and attacks the hole with force consistently. His defense is also above average and can guard multiple spots on the floor. <strong>Nick Keith</strong> is a big time scorer who is also looking to explode this year. He's a bit wild but that kind of attitude when developed is what makes an elite scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='998197' first='Nick' last='Elliott'] will provide scoring in the form of an elite deep ball shooter and cutter, the kind of player that every program needs. [player_tooltip player_id='1164543' first='Alex' last='Taylor'] is a football-first guy, but his elite athleticism and physicality translates well to the court. He should help rebound the ball at a high rate and defend well this year. These guys should be competing for a title this year, and will be near the top for years to come with all of these guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->