NCHSAA: 336 All-Area Team
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As we enter the Dog Days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2023-2024 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Let’s look at five of the most talented prospects from the 336 representing the NCHSAA.
At 6’5″, Zacch Wiggins Zacch Wiggins 6’5″ | SF Wesleyan Christian | 2025 State NC is one of the most dynamic wings in the class of 2025. His game is all over the place in the best way possible. Wiggins is an elite scorer, premier defender, and obsessive competitor. Rarely do you find a prospect that is as committed to the process of perfecting their craft as Zacch Wiggins Zacch Wiggins 6’5″ | SF Wesleyan Christian | 2025 State NC . This is a guy who loves to work. And it shows up in every facet of his game. Wiggins poses a lethal threat to score with and without the ball. That’s what makes him dangerous. He’s crafty in the lane and can make tough finishes, shoots a knock-down mid-range jump shot off balance, and has a sniper for a three-ball that goes in more often than not. Off the ball, Wiggins has the patience to wait for plays to develop and find his spots. His raw athleticism provides a quick first step, a sharp cut to the basket, and the ability to absorb contact and finish big-time plays. Wiggins is a force on the defensive end of the floor. He’s got the build, reach, and grittiness that makes him a big-time defender. His size and length allow him to match up with and lock down 1-5, winning most of them. He’s got an active hand in the passing lane that accounts for swipes and steals that set him up for fast-break success. Wiggins has just the right amount of competitive fire and a little swagger that make him a fierce prospect to match up against. With a Grimsley team looking to take home the title in 2023-2024, expect Zacch Wiggins Zacch Wiggins 6’5″ | SF Wesleyan Christian | 2025 State NC to be front and center.
At 6’2″, TayShawn Mann TayShawn Mann 6’2″ | CG Ben L. Smith | 2025 State NC is a strong, physical combo guard who has the tendency to take over games. That’s just who he is. Mann is a freak athlete and channels that into an aggressive style of play. He is an adept scorer with a wide range of offensive firepower. Mann is the kind of guard who sets the tone from the jump and goes hard until the clock hits zero. He’s vocal in the offense, unselfish with the ball, and has proven he can and will do whatever it takes to win. Mann gets most of his work done in and around the perimeter. He’s a gifted downhill driver who can get to the basket, a consistent pull-up shooter, and moves well without the ball. Mann has a high basketball I.Q. and is an elite decision-maker. He plays with purpose and poise. While scoring is a headline of his game, Mann can shift into a facilitator role when need be. He’s got excellent court vision, an everyone-eats mentality, and does the most damage when his teammates are involved. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen from Mann on defense. He’s a strong, stocky guard who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line. He moves his feet exceptionally well and can relocate in a flash on skips and switches. Manns lateral quickness is some of the best I’ve seen in the class of 2025. He makes big-time plays in the clutch and doesn’t shy away from tough defensive assignments. With a Ben L. Smith squad looking to prove their 2022-2023 playoff run wasn’t a fluke, expect TayShawn Mann TayShawn Mann 6’2″ | CG Ben L. Smith | 2025 State NC to settle the bet.
Shamarius Peterkin Shamarius Peterkin 6’3″ | CG Mount Tabor | 2025 State NC is the most explosive guard in the class of 2025. His speed enhances every part of his game, especially on the offensive end. At 6’3″, with his speed, Peterkin is one of the fastest-rising prospects we’ve seen in a while. His lateral quickness, foot mobility, and full-court sprint are the foundation of his game. Peterkin’s got a quick handle. He is a problem with the ball in his hands from anywhere on the floor. He can play on and off the ball with patience and poise. Peterkin is crafty in the lane, a big-time finisher, and knows how to get to his spots. He’s got a consistent mid-range game and an evolving three-ball, when polished, will add yet another level of versatility to his game. Peterkin is a competitor on defense. He’s got the length, size, and speed that make him a big-time defender. His athleticism allows him to get takeaways that put him in a prime position to score in the fast break. Peterkin is a strong defensive rebounder who competes on the glass every time a shot goes up. He has excellent awareness and control of his body and stays out of foul trouble. Peterkin is a competitive, reliable defender who can get the job done. With a Mount Tabor program with a monumental season on the line, Shamarius Peterkin Shamarius Peterkin 6’3″ | CG Mount Tabor | 2025 State NC will be the guy that gets them over the hump.
Jaylon Bumpass Jaylon Bumpass 6’2″ | CG Ben L. Smith | 2024 State NC is a guard from the class of 2024 that has been a stock riser I have kept my eye on for a while now. Every season this guy impresses me more. At 6’2″, Bumpass is a strong, physical combo guard who is an elite two-way player. He’s a dynamic scoring threat, can create open looks with the ball in his hands, and has that dog mentality that lets him take over games. Bumpass is an all-around elite prospect who impacts the game in more ways than one. His athleticism sets him apart. Bumpass is an elite athlete with the hops and speed to prove it. He’s an explosive player who plays under control simultaneously. Defensively, Bumpass can defend 1-3 given his frame. He’s a valuable piece of this team’s defensive identity and his energy is one of the cornerstones of their defensive success. Heading into his senior year, Jalen Bumpass is a name to know. This is a prospect who will continue to see his name rise in the rankings and start to earn the big-time attention he deserves.
Nick Keith Nick Keith 6’2″ | CG Grimsley | 2026 State NC is a prospect from the class of 2026 with the potential to be one of the best point guards in the state. As a freshman in 2022-2023, Keith’s game developed into a true floor general. He gained confidence running the point in big-time moments, found his voice as one of the young leaders of this ball club, and learned how to excel in his role as this team’s primary ball-handler. Keith is a floor general in every meaning of the phrase. He’s a guard with an elite handle, decision-making ability, and will to win. He’s an unselfish passer who knows his teammate’s games to the tee and where to get them open looks. Keith excels in the pick and roll and has the skills to make play after play. He’s a patient guard who waits for plays to develop and where to find the open man. Keith is a quick guard who has found his calling collapsing defenses at the paint and dishing the rock for an open look. What makes Keith a problem is his ability to score in addition to his pass-first nature. At 6’1″ with time to grow, Keith is a strong, physical guard who can attack the basket with purpose and finish tough plays at the rim. His build allows him to play through contact and stay poised when defended well. His ability to score on all three levels makes him a dynamic scoring threat. I’ve seen improvements with his three-ball that give me optimism he will even shoot better than he did in 2022. Keith is a scrappy defender who moves his feet well to stay with his man. He’s a disciplined player who knows how to defend without fouling. Nick Keith Nick Keith 6’2″ | CG Grimsley | 2026 State NC is another young prospect that has continued to grow with this Grimsley program. Expect him to make some noise for himself and his squad this fall.