The Wingman Report: NCHSAA 1A West Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NCHSAA 1A level has been a talented one at the top. Take a look at five teams in the 1A West to keep eyes on as the regular season finale approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Mountain Heritage Cougars (18-1)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain Heritage Cougars are currently 18-1 and 9-0 in conference play heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1773311' first='Max' last='Smoker'] has been the breakout performer this season for the Cougars. He's a 6-foot-7 prospect that's producing 21.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 3.0 bpg that's committed to Goshen College after his senior season. The other unsigned senior name to watch with this group is 6-foot-5 wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='1773312' first='Jesse' last='Shelton'], averaging 9.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.9 bpg as the Cougars exert their dominance in conference play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Eastern Randolph Wildcats (19-1)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eastern Randolph High has been one of the biggest surprises in the 2022-23 out of the 1A West. They're currently 19-1 and unbeaten in conference play heading into the final weeks. [player_tooltip player_id='1743435' first='DaVonte' last='Brooks'] has been unstoppable in the paint, averaging 25.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg and 3.0 spg in the Wildcats' frontcourt. Right behind him is sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1743446' first='Tim' last='Brower'], with 15.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.3 apg and 2.9 spg on the season after they've recently clinched the regular season conference crown. Another name to keep an eye on is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1743445' first='Nicah' last='Taylor']. He's a 6-foot-2 wing posting 11.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg on the wing and in the frontcourt for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>South Stokes Sauras (16-4)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Stokes High is off to a 16-4 start and currently unbeaten in conference play at 9-0. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1274327' first='Barry' last='Hairston'], 2024 Isaiah Lash and 2023 Jonah Fie are three names to know with the Sauras. They're coming off a 74-31 victory over East Wilkes. Hairston is a shifty guard that can fill it up while Lash has shown he can operate on the wing and utilize his athleticism at 6-foot-3. Fie is a 6-foot unsigned senior guard that does well to impose his will in the backcourt on both ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Bishop McGuinness Villains (16-5)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop McGuinness High is currently 16-5 and 9-0 in conference play heading into the final weeks of the regular season. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1273256' first='Jamison' last='Graves'] and Andrew Schrage have paced the backcourt while 2024s [player_tooltip player_id='1411239' first='John' last='Campbell'] and 6'9 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1731146' first='Cal' last='Barrett'] shore things up on the wing and in the frontcourt. They've been battle tested with their non-conference slate and could make a late run in the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>North Stokes Vikings (18-3)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Stokes High is right on South Stokes heels in the conference standings at 8-1 with just two weeks left in the regular season. Samuel Collins and William Greer are two tough unsigned seniors to keep an eye on with this group. 6-foot-1 wing Collins posted 25 points in their victory over Starmount High while Greer finished with 26 points, imposing his will in the paint and at the free-throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->