NCHSAA Team Camp: Triad Standouts
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Team Camp in North Carolina peaked in June, with some of the best prospects and programs showcasing who and what they’re all about. Teams all over the Tar Heel state took the hardwood to compete with the best. Among them were teams from the NCHSAA representing the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to some big-time prospects and programs. Let’s look at the standout prospects in NCHSAA team camp play from the Triad.
Mount Tabor is a program to know in Winston-Salem. The Spartans have put a couple of nice seasons together and have produced some big-time prospects in the Tar Heel state. One of them is class of 2025 Shamarius “Snook” Peterkin. After a program-best 24-2 regular season and number 2 seed in the West region of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs, the Spartans are looking to cement themselves as one of the Triad’s newest powerhouses. And Sharamarius Peterkin is the right one to lead the charge.
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.
Aidan Cauthen
Aidan Cauthen
Staying with Mount Tabor, another prospect who caught my eye is class of 2024 shooting guard Aidan Cauthen. Cauthen played an instrumental role in the success of this team in 2022-2023, and I expect him to have an even bigger role in 2023-2024. Aidan Cauthen is another under-the-radar prospect out of Mount Tabor that many will regret sleeping on.
Standing a true 6’4″, Cauthen is a shooting guard who’s got some height on his side. His 6’4″ pushing 6’5″ frame pairs well with his ability to shoot the ball. Cauthen is able to knock off balance shots along the perimeter and contested threes from behind the arc. He is a sharpshooter with an excellent feel for the game. Cauthen is effective with and without the ball in his hands. He’s an underrated finisher at the rim who can absorb contact and make tough plays. He spaces the floor well and knows how to get to his spots around the arc. On the defensive end of the floor, Cauthen has a strong physical presence. His athleticism and attention to detail allow him to capitalize off turnovers in the fast break. He’s a vocal, committed defender who gets after it. Cauthen has been overlooked his entire high school career. With one more season left with Mount Tabor, expect him to show up and show out all of 2023-2024.
Grimsley has been a staple of Greensboro high school basketball for decades. Here is a program that prides itself on consistently putting a competitive roster on the hardwood year in and year out. 2022-2023 was no different. The Whirlies finished the regular season 23-4, 13-1 in the conference, and as the #4-seeded team in the West region of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs. An early playoff run, highlighted by wins against Marvin Ridge and Audrey Kell respectively, came to a halt with a heartbreaking 44-43 loss to Charlotte Catholic in the third round. With a Grimsley squad that will return bulk of their championship roster, the expectations in the Bob Sawyer Gymnasium will be high. Class of 2025 forward Zacch Wiggins Zacch Wiggins 6’5″ | SF Wesleyan Christian | 2025 State NC will be the first to embrace them.
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.
A couple of miles down the road is Ben L. Smith, another competitive high school program in Greensboro. 2023-2024 was a storybook season for the Golden Eagles. Smith finished the regular season 24-3, 13-2 in the conference, and despite an uncharacteristically low #10 seed in the West region of the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs, was one of the final eight programs still standing. A pound-for-pound, dog fight of a match-up against West Charlotte ended Smith’s season. It was one of the hardest losses this program has taken. But the Golden Eagles will be back in 2023-2024, ready to build upon the momentum forged last season. Luckily, they got their guy TayShawn Mann TayShawn Mann 6’2″ | CG Ben L. Smith | 2025 State NC ready to run it back.
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.