NCISAA 4-A: 5 Seniors Bound For A Breakout 2023-2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too early to talk a little High School basketball in the state of North Carolina. And given that this is the Tar Heel state, maybe I'm a little late. With that being said, now is the perfect time to preview what the 2023-2024 season has in store, especially in the NCISSA 4-A. The 2022-2023 season came to a close with the Christ School Greenies (31-4) led by second-year head coach Josh Coley, winning their seventh state title with a 53-48 win over Carmel Christian (28-4) in February. But that was a couple of months ago. And you've got to have a short memory in the NCISAA 4-A because next season is already up for grabs. This division is stacked top to bottom with talent, and there are a couple of guys from the c/o '24 that I've had my eye on for a while now that are bound for a breakout year. Let's get right into it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1030027"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1030027' first='Alex' last='Olander'] had a promising junior year for the Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, N.C. Averaging 17.7 pts and 5.5 rebounds, he played a key role in the Raven's respectable 25-7 season. With Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1278113' first='Harrison' last='Poole'] leaving the program, expect Olander to have an even bigger presence as one of the go-to guys on this Ravens roster.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOne of the most gifted on-ball defenders I've seen all year. At 6'4'', 215 lbs, his presence on the defensive end is what sets him apart. He's got strength, he's got speed, and he can channel these pieces of his game into orchestrating big-time plays on both ends of the floor. Can lock down 1-5 while staying out of foul trouble. Strong offensive rebounder that accounts for a ton of second-chance buckets. Grabs defensive boards with a purpose, and can get out in transition and to the rim. Takes pride in taking charge's and diving for loose balls. He's the type of overall competitor you want leading your ball club.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2290092' first='Jackson' last='Rein']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Ravenscroft School","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"DB Elite","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Staying with the Ravenscroft School for a second, another key guy on this roster is [player_tooltip player_id='2290092' first='Jackson' last='Rein']. A first-year starter this season for the Ravens, Rein had a breakout junior year. As the primary big on this high-scoring Ravens offense, Rein averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and shot 44.4% from deep. With three-point specialists [player_tooltip player_id='1316016' first='Dakota' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1278113' first='Harrison' last='Poole'] gone, expect Rein to take over shooting from behind the arc.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eHe's a spot-up shooter. Great feel for the game. Knows how to get to his spots and when to let it fly. Does a great job of getting shots up early to establish a rhythm. A problem at the high post. Since defenders have to guard him honestly, he can be lethal from mid-range or use his explosiveness to penetrate the lane. Get's to the line often. Hit's his free throws. One of the best, most consistent three-point shooting bigs I've seen all year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1030010"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"With a 71-64 loss to the Ravenscroft School in the state quarterfinals, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1030010' first='Austin' last='Swartz'] and the Cannon School to be right back in the mix this season.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eSimply put, [player_tooltip player_id='1030010' first='Austin' last='Swartz'] was the guy on this Cannon roster this past season. The 6u00225' junior is one of the most elite scoring guards I've seen all year. Real versatile on the offensive end of the floor. An elite shotmaker. Shoots the ball well from well beyond the arc. Gets to the lane often. Tough finisher. Can play the role of a true point guard at any time. Great distributor. Always finds the open man, is unselfish with the rock, and puts his teammates in the best positions to score. Never still on the court. Always moving. Moves well without the ball, and does a great job of playing off of ball screens. He's an elite defender and can match up with 1-5 on any given day. One of the most complete players I've had the chance to watch. You will be seeing more of the Cannon School guard in the months to come.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1127312"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The All-State junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Jaeden' last='Mustaf'] led Carmel Christian to the state championship this season and will be back with something to prove as we head into 2023-2024.rnrnThe combo guard's length is what sets him apart. At 6''5', he can match up against 1-5 with ease on both ends of the floor. Plays efficient team defense. Real strong rebounder for a guard. Does a great job of getting out in transition and pushing the pace. Plays fast, but with poise. Can bring the ball up or play on the wing, and knows how to get to his spots. Finds cracks to the basket, and has a real feel for dishing the rock to open teammates while in pursuit of the rim. One of the staples of the Carmel offense. Expect multiple triple-doubles, highlight plays, and a deep playoff run for [player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Jaeden' last='Mustaf'] in his senior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1496977"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Coming off a state championship with the Christ School,  junior small forward Lleyton Thomas - Johnson is on the path to a strong senior campaign with the Greenies.rnrnDespite a slow start to the season, Thomas - Johnson saw the floor a decent amount for the Greenies this season and played an important role in their championship run. At 6u00224', he's long, he's athletic and can defend. As the season progressed he proved his worth behind the arc, shooting 41 percent from deep. He has a strong presence on the perimeter and can knock down well-guarded shots. Expect Thomas-Johnson to have an even bigger presence on a Christ School roster that will be without a couple of key graduating seniors next season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642864b69cd47"} /-->