NCHSAA: 2023-2024 Dark Horse Watchlist
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Yesterday we covered the NCISAA, home to some of the most prominent prospects and programs in North Carolina. Today, let’s turn our attention to the NCHSAA, an overlooked, underrated association that brings up big-time players. The 2022-2023 season ended with four teams crowned as their class state champion. That was in March. And if you’ve found the grit to watch a 6 a.m. off-season workout, you know that next season is already up for grabs. The 2023-2024 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Let’s meet four programs, one from each class, that are dark horses to take the title.
Mountain Heritage: 1A
Mountain Heritage, located in Burnsville, N.C., had a program-best 2022-2023. The Cougars capped off the season undefeated in conference play (12-0), with a 26-2 regular season record, and the #1 overall seed in the West region of the NCHSAA-1A state playoffs. The Cougars cruised past the North Rowan Cavaliers in the first round with a statement 62-44 win. Rounds 2-3 tested Mountain Heritage, with the #1 seed escaping both games with only an 8-point margin of victory. The Cougar’s season took a turn in their fourth-round match-up against the fourth-seeded Bishop McGuinness Villains. A late-game offensive run by Bishop McGuinness was too much for Mountain Heritage to handle, and the Villains stole the game in what was arguably the biggest upset in these playoffs.
A four-point loss in the fourth round to the #4 overall seed is not the way Mountain Heritage envisioned their season-ending. The off-season started the moment Barry Johnson’s team got on the bus to head back to campus, and they’ve been working ever since. This team will be back in business in 2023-2024, and that will be largely because of 6’4″ power forward Maverick Gilley. With a Mountain Heritage team that will have to navigate the departure of several key seniors, expect Gilley to show up and show out for the Cougars. Gilley is an under-the-radar type of prospect who is bound for a standout senior year as the presumable starting power forward for this Cougar team. Expect a lot of offense to be run through this guy at the high post next season. Gilley has shown flashes of being just the type of big this team will need next season. He’s versatile in the pick and roll, a consistent mid-range shooter, and is more crafty than people give him credit for underneath the rim. Maverick Gilley has a lot of people looking to him to lead this team back to where they were this season, and the 6’4″ forward has what it takes to get them there.
Lincoln Charter: 2A
Lincoln Charter, located in Denver, N.C., exceeded expectations last season in more ways than one. The Eagles finished the season undefeated in conference play (13-0), with a 25-12 regular season record, and the #8 overall seed in the West region of the NCHSAA-2A state playoffs. Lincoln Charter dominated rounds 1 and 2 with a 30-point win over Brevard and a 35-point win over Burns. The success didn’t end there. The Eagles took down #1-seeded North Surry in an epic 88-85 win. A 16-point win over East Gaston propelled the Eagles to the state semifinals where they met Reidsville at a shot to play in the championship game. The Eagles played them tight for the first 20, but the Ram’s second-half surge gave them the edge. Lincoln Charter’s season ended with a 77-60 loss to Reidsville.
No one expected the 8-seed Eagles to make a run to the semifinals, let alone in the dominant fashion they did through rounds 1-3. The Eagles will use last season as momentum with class of 2024 guard Kelan Flowers running the point. At 6’1″ pushing 6’2″, Flowers is a tough, physical kind of guard who shows it on every possession. His strength and explosiveness allow him to get to the basket on his own terms. Has a quick step. Finds lanes to the basket. Creative shotmaker. Flowers has established himself as one of this team’s go-to bucket-getters while still holding down point guard duties. He’s unselfish with the ball, has a high basketball I.Q., and is a vocal leader on the bench and the floor. Kelan Flowers knows what it’s like to compete for a state title. He was right there last year. And you better believe he’ll be there again in 2023-2024.
West Charlotte: 3A
The guys on this West Charlotte roster must have been paying close attention and drawing inspiration from Florida Atlantic University for what they did in March because the Lions had a Cinderella story of their own. West Charlotte finished the regular season flirting with a below .500 record. The Lions finished the regular season 15-14, earning the #22 overall seed in the West region of NCHSAA-3A state playoffs. The Lions entered the first round underdogs against the 11-seed Franklin High School and played like it up until late in the fourth quarter when they took a three-point lead and hung on to it for dear life. West Charlotte escaped the first round with a 61-58 win. In a 22 vs. 26 second-round matchup against Lake Norman, West Charlotte put the pedal to the metal with a statement 80-54 win. Rounds 3 and 4 proved tougher for the Lions as they edged past Northwest Cabarrus and Ben L. Smith courtesy of a couple of late-game buckets. The 22-seeded Lion’s historic run came to a stop in the state semifinals against 1-seeded Central Cabarrus. The Lions were put back in their cage with a disappointing 78-51 loss. Their playoff dreams were woken up.
2022-2023 was nothing but a success for West Charlotte. The 22-seeded Lions, underdogs in every game but one, showed up and showed out when it mattered most. As 2023-2024 approaches, the Lions intend to prove their postseason success was not a fluke. And as long as class of 2026 forward Markus Kerr Markus Kerr 6'5" | SF JL Chambers | 2026 State NC is in the back-court, they have a good shot. At 6’4″, Markus Kerr Markus Kerr 6'5" | SF JL Chambers | 2026 State NC is one of the best overall prospects in his class. His size, strength, and speed elevate his game to new heights. As just a freshman, Kerr added a significant presence on both ends of the floor and showed the capability to make big-time plays. He’s got a high basketball I.Q., has an even better feel for the game, and plays under control. These are rare traits for a 15-year-old. He’s an active defender on the perimeter and plays an in-your-face, annoying style of defense opposing guards dread. Kerr is a big-time shot-maker who’s athleticism allows him to create off the dribble and get to the rim with poise. As this blue-collar West Charlotte team looks to add some more respect to their name, expect Markus Kerr Markus Kerr 6'5" | SF JL Chambers | 2026 State NC to get it for them.
Enloe: 4A
Enloe High School, located in the heart of Raleigh, N.C., is a reborn program. Since former Eagle point guard Emmanuel “Poobie” Chapman took over as head coach, this program has gotten their swagger back. They can compete with the best of them. Enloe’s postseason ended much sooner than many expected with a first-round loss to Hillside. The 46-36 defeat was the Eagle’s lowest-scoring performance of the season and did not accurately reflect the talent and will of the program. Coach Chapman has gotten the program to the point where a first-round loss is unacceptable, and you can believe that the guys on this roster will accept that this off-season.
The Eagles will be back next season as a competitor in the critically acclaimed CAP-6 Conference and to make some serious post-season noise. Class of 2024 forward Gift Moses Gift Moses 6'6" | SF Enloe | 2024 State NC will help get them over the hump. The name matches the game. Gift Moses Gift Moses 6'6" | SF Enloe | 2024 State NC is one of the most talented rim protectors I’ve seen all season. He wrapped up a strong junior year for the Eagles averaging 9 ppg, 8 rpg, and 3 bpg. The 6’6” wing is a problem in the paint. He’s long, he’s quick, and he’s as athletic as they come. What sets him apart is his commitment to defense. He’s vocal on ball screens, takes pride in boxing out, and gets grown-man rebounds. Real good at running the fast break off of misses. Can make the right outlet pass, take it up himself, or run the floor to get an easy bucket. Good team player. Even better team leader. A guy who freshmen can learn from and coaches can teach. Gift Moses Gift Moses 6'6" | SF Enloe | 2024 State NC will be an instrumental part of the Eagle’s postseason aspirations in 2023-2024.