The WingMan Report: Hidden Gems in the State
In this article:
The state of North Carolina has crossed the midway point in the high school basketball season. Here we take a look at some hidden teams and prospects across the 1A and 2A landscape. Look out for Eastern Randolph High! The…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe state of North Carolina has crossed the midway point in the high school basketball season. Here we take a look at some hidden teams and prospects across the 1A and 2A landscape.
Look out for Eastern Randolph High!
The Eastern Randolph Wildcats haven’t lost a game since Dec. 2 and they’re one of the higher-scoring teams in the state, averaging 82.3 ppg as a team in 2022-23. They’re a fast-paced bunch led by a trio of 6-foot-4 senior big man DaVonte Brooks DaVonte Brooks 6'4" | SF Eastern Randolph | 2023 State NC , efficient 5-foot-10 senior guard Pierce Leonard Pierce Leonard 5'10" | CG Eastern Randolph | 2023 State NC and 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Tim Brower Tim Brower 6'2" | SG Eastern Randolph | 2025 State NC . They put up 95 points in their victory over the Trinity Bulldogs on Tuesday night while shooting 55 percent from the field as a team. They’re a well-rounded team that forces turnovers (17.3 steals per game) while only turning it over 9.8 times per contest. They take care of the ball and they get on the glass. As a team, they’ve generated 315 offensive rebounds and 309 defensive rebounds.
A lot of that has to do with the length of Brooks. Brooks finished with 18 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Leonard led the way for them with 29 points (12-20 FG) with junior 6-foot-1 swingman Nicah Taylor Nicah Taylor 6'2" | CG Eastern Randolph | 2024 State NC right behind him with 27 points (11-of-18) along with three made 3-pointers. Brower finished with 14 points as the fourth double-figure scorer for the Wildcats. They’re a team to keep an eye on in the 1A West so far at 14-1.
Washington County Panthers unbeaten in the 1A East
The Washington County Panthers are currently unbeaten so far at 9-0 after a 95-53 victory over Tarboro High. Darius Lewis Darius Lewis 5'10" | SG Washington County | 2023 State NC led the way with 24 points on six made 3-pointers while Amari Chesson Amari Chesson 6'2" | CG Washington County | 2024 State NC stepped up with 17 points, 13 rebounds and five steals to show off what he could do. Their backcourt duo of Le’Shaun Jackson Le’Shaun Jackson 5'10" | PG Washington County | 2023 State NC and Darius Lewis Darius Lewis 5'10" | SG Washington County | 2023 State NC have proven to be a handful for opponents so far. Jackson led the playmaking front with 11 assists to go along with 12 points and seven rebounds. Lewis has proven to be a top perimeter shooter to keep an eye on with the Panthers. He’s shooting 45 percent from 3-point land through their first nine games of 2022-23, averaging 18.2 ppg, 3.6 spg, 2.0 apg and 2.2 rpg. He’s an unsigned senior name that’s slowly climbing up the radar. Jackson has proven he can run the point guard spot masterfully, averaging 6.6 apg to go along with 17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 2.6 apg. He’s another unsigned senior floor general to get eyes on.
Then there’s emerging junior 6-foot-5 forward Ke’Vontae Lucas Ke’Vontae Lucas 6'5" | SF Washington County | 2024 NC . He’s proven to be a handful in the frontcourt, pouring in 11.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.9 spg, 2.7 apg and 1.1 bpg to show off his athleticism and ability to do more than score the ball. As for Chesson, he’s a 6-foot-2 junior guard that’s starting to find a role on the boards and defensive front. Keep an eye out for this squad.
Marcel Freeman Marcel Freeman 6'0" | PG North Johnston | 2025 State NC not slowing down anytime soon for North Johnston
North Johnson High sophomore guard Marcel Freeman Marcel Freeman 6'0" | PG North Johnston | 2025 State NC hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in 2022-23 as he’s averaging 26.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 4.1 spg as the Panthers are currently 12-1 and 1-0 in conference action following a victory over Spring Creek on the road on Monday night. Freeman cruised in that one with 25 points (12-of-22 FG), showing off his ability to get to the paint and make things happen. So far, he’s yet to score less than 18 points in a game and has notched a career-high 42 points already back on Nov. 29 against Hobbton High. He’s a 2025 name to get to know in the 2A East at the guard spot.
Reidsville Rams are already 3-0 in conference play
The Reidsville Rams are off to a fast start in conference action in the 2A West at 3-0. They’re currently unbeaten on the season at 10-0, led by freshmen big man Kendre Harrison Kendre Harrison 6'8" | C Reidsville | 2026 State NC and freshman floor general Dionte Neal Dionte Neal 5'10" | PG Reidsville | 2026 State NC , two names that colleges will get to know over the next few seasons. Neal finished with 21 points (9-of-13 FG), 12 steals and 10 assists and Harrison finished with 20 points (9-of-11 FG), 13 rebounds and three blocks in their victory over West Stokes High on Tuesday night. Runs of 22-10 in the first quarter and 22-5 in the third quarter were enough to do away with the opponent as they’ve shown they’re a tough duo to contend with on the hardwood.
Harrison is a 6-foot-8 presence producing 21.8 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 3.5 bpg and 1.6 spg while Neal is averaging 20.8 ppg, 12.2 apg, 6.4 spg and 4.6 rpg in just their first season of varsity action. Look for them to break some records when it’s all said and done and they’re also hot commodities on the football field.