The Wingman Report: NCHSAA 3A East Teams to Watch

The NCHSAA 3A East has some talented teams and prospects to keep an eye on in 2022-23. Take a look at some teams to keep an eye on in the NCHSAA 3A East as the final week of the regular season approaches.

Northwood Chargers (19-2)

Don’t let the two losses fool you. One came to Camden High (NJ) and the other against NCISAA-power Cannon School, by only 10 points. Other than that, the Chargers haven’t lost a game since Dec. 28 and are 10-0 in the Central Conference with Eastern Alamance High (2/7) and Western Alamance High (2/10) left on the schedule to close the week. UNC commit Drake Powell Drake Powell 6'6" | CG Northwood | 2024 State #58 Nation NC has put together a solid season on both ends of the floor with 18.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.1 apg., 1.5 spg and 1.4 bpg in his junior season. Fred Whitaker Fred Whitaker 5'11" | PG Northwood | 2024 State NC Jr. has been solid alongside him in the backcourt with 9.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.9 rpg and 1.7 apg. Big men Kenan Parrish Kenan Parrish 6'9" | C Northwood | 2023 State NC and Max Frazier Max Frazier 6'8" | C Northwood | 2023 State NC have complimented them in the frontcourt. Parrish is producing 9.4 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Frazier is averaging 8.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.3 spg.

Northern Nash Knights (22-0)

The Northern Nash Knights are unbeaten still in 2022-23 heading into the final week of the regular season. They’re 12-0 in the Big East Conference and 22-0 on the year following a convincing 79-63 victory over the Franklinton Rams this past Friday. Their trio of unsigned senior Jamal Townsend Jamal Townsend 6'0" | CG Northern Nash | 2023 State NC and juniors Randall King Randall King 6'2" | CG Northern Nash | 2024 State NC and Demondre Haymon Demondre Haymon 6'6" | PF Northern Nash | 2024 State NC have proven to be a formidable combination while the likes of Roncellis Marshall, Jessiah Atkinson, Izeal Mallory and Roncellis Marshall have filled in the gaps when needed and in effect, allowed this team to show their depth. Towsend leads the charge with 14.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.2 spg, showing his strength on both ends of the floor at the lead guard spot. King is averaging 13.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5 spg and 1.8 apg. Haymon is averaging 10.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.1 bpg. They’ll close the regular season schedule with Southern Nash (2/7) and Rocky Mount (2/10) in conference action.

Southern Durham Spartans (16-5)

The Southern Durham Spartans have emerged as the leader in the Northern Lakes Athletics Conference this season at 9-0 and 16-5 overall on the year. They’re led by the backcourt duo of Jackson Keith Jackson Keith 6'6" | CG Southern Durham | 2025 State NC and Camren Daniels Camren Daniels 6'5" | SF Southern Durham | 2024 State NC , two prospects that when they’re on are hard to defend. Keith is putting up 20.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 bpg and 1.1 spg while Daniels is averaging 12.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.2 spg. Unsigned senior point guard Dedric Rogers Dedric Rogers 6'2" | PG Southern Durham | 2023 NC is posting a team-high 3.5 apg to take the pressure off Keith and Daniels in the backcourt as well. They’re a tough defensive-minded group that’s allowed 53.2 ppg while scoring 69.6 ppg as a team. They’ll close out the week with Vance County (2/7) and Carrboro (2/10).

E.E. Smith Golden Bulls (17-3)

The E.E. Smith Golden Bulls have won 15 games in a row since getting off to a 1-3 start. They’re the leaders in the All-American Conference currently at 11-1 with two tough ones left with Terry Sanford (12/8) and Westover (2/10) on the slate. College of Charleston signee James Scott James Scott 6'9" | PF EE Smith | 2023 State NC has led the way on both ends of the floor in the frontcourt with 23.9 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.9 bpg and 1.2 spg. He’s played strong around the rim all season long and is hard to stop when E.E. Smith really gets going on both ends. Unsigned senior guard Malik Brunson Malik Brunson 6'0" | CG EE Smith | 2023 State NC is another name to keep an eye on as he’s putting up 10.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.6 spg and 2.2 apg. He’s a strong guard that likes to get downhill and make things happen in the paint. 2023 forward Travis Stroud is another one to watch on the wing and in the paint. He’s averaging 8.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 2022-23.

White Oak Vikings (16-4)

The White Oak Vikings are having a strong season in the Central Conference coming off a 60-42 win over Richlands High this past Friday. They’ve won six in a row with Kaemon Noel leading the charge with 15.8 ppg and 7.7 rpg while sophomore Curtis Jackson Curtis Jackson 6'3" | CG White Oak | 2025 State NC and Jamison Avila Jamison Avila 6'0" | CG White Oak | 2025 State NC have shored things up in the backcourt. Jackson is producing 14.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.5 spg while Avila is averaging 7.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.1 spg. Jackson is an underrated playmaker that’s starting to find his confidence on the court while Avila has shown he can knock down shots on the perimeter and defend. Big man Antoni Kade Ogumuro is coming along as well with 7.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Another name to keep eyes on is AJ Strickland AJ Strickland 5'9" | CG White Oak | 2025 NC off the bench. He’s putting up 4.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 1.2 apg. They’re a young group but their schedule has prepared them for a potential run in the state playoffs.