NCISAA 3A Final Four Preview (2022-23)

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It’s been smooth sailing for the top four seeds, so to speak, as No. 1 – 4 find themselves in the Final Four of the NCISAA State Playoffs. Take a look at the matchups/prospects to keep an eye on Tuesday night as teams look to punch their ticket in Saturday’s final.

No. 1 Concord Academy vs. No. 4 Asheville School

Concord Academy escaped Saturday’s quarterfinals with a single-digit victory as did Asheville School as both schools have some notable big men to keep eyes on. Both teams met once before on Nov. 19 and Concord Academy took that meeting 67-55, but don’t expect such a big deficit in this game this time around with higher stakes. Avion Pinner Avion Pinner 6'9" | PF Concord Academy | 2023 State NC had 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first meeting and will look to build on the season he’s having. He’s averaging 15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 2.4 bpg. Winthrop commit Noah Van Bibber Noah Van Bibber 6'4" | SG Concord Academy | 2023 State NC also had 13 points on three 3-pointers as well.

Unsigned senior floor general Derin Saran Derin Saran 6'4" | PG Asheville School | 2023 State NC has led quite the charge for the Blues with Kaden Holdbrook Kaden Holdbrook 6'2" | CG Asheville School | 2023 State NC (Macalester College) and the emergence of junior forward Ryan Soulis Ryan Soulis 6'10" | C Asheville School | 2024 State NC has helped as well. Saran finished with 27 points against Calvary Day School while Holdbrook had 19 points and Soulis had 15. They’re a group that’s peaked at the right time heading into a pivotal matchup on Tuesday night. Look for things to stay close all night long.

No. 2 Greensboro Day School vs. No. 3 Gaston Christian School

A 59-58 overtime victory over High Point Christian Academy got Greensboro Day School in this year’s NCISAA Final Four as Virginia Tech signee Jaydon Young Jaydon Young 6'4" | CG Greensboro Day | 2023 State #206 Nation NC has played stellar for them down the stretch. Unsigned seniors Julius Reese Jr Julius Reese Jr 6'3" | CG Greensboro Day | 2023 State NC and Joseph Bachman Joseph Bachman 6'8" | PF Greensboro Day | 2023 State NC are two other names to watch with their squad as well. They’ll certainly get all they can handle from a talented Gaston Christian School bunch.

Gaston Christian School is led by 2026 point guard Cameron Newman Cameron Newman 5'11" | CG Gaston Christian | 2026 State NC . He led the way for them as an eighth grader last year and continues to improve. He’s producing 15.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.9 spg in his freshman season as he leads their backcourt. 2024 wing Joe Rhyne Joe Rhyne 6'3" | SG Gaston Christian | 2024 State NC has emerged as well, putting up 13.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.4 spg while shooting 45 percent from 3-point land. He’s made 110 3-pointers in 2022-23. 6-foot-11 junior big man Gabriel Mabor Gabriel Mabor 6'11" | C Gaston Christian | 2024 State NC is their X-Factor in the paint. Mabor had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks against Cape Fear Academy. Look for him to do similar against GDS.