NCHSAA: 2A Title Favorites

<!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The high school basketball season is right around the corner as PrepHoops takes a look at the early 2A favorites in the NCHSAA ranks set to make their mark on the 2023-24 season.</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Farmville Central Jaguars</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1076359' first='Tyler' last='Whitehurst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1076333' first='Hampton' last='Evans'] replace their losses from last year's 2A title squad as they look to reload. The Jaguars went 32-1 en route to the state championship. With [player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams'] back leading the backcourt and other new names ready to emerge, look for them to be a tough out in the 2A East once again as they look to win back-to-back state titles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Reidsville Rams</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 2026 names [player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'] are both back and they'll add [player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe'], Cummings High top performer from a season ago, to an already unstoppable attack. They lost their lone game in the state title game with just Harrison and Neal in the rotation, finishing 26-1 in 2022-23. Look for their trio to lead them deep into the postseason once again given their talent levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Goldsboro Cougars</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1076371' first='Amari' last='Latham'], [player_tooltip player_id='2268948' first='Andre' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1076339' first='Jaquan' last='Green'] are the leading returners set to do more damage in the 2A East after finishing 28-3 this past season. They'll all have to contribute in bigger ways heading into their senior seasons. They're always a scrappy bunch who has a late bloomer or young prospect to get eyes on every year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Salisbury Hornets</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wake Forest commit [player_tooltip player_id='1126297' first='Jayden' last='Harris'] still has [player_tooltip player_id='1226609' first='Macari' last='House'], [player_tooltip player_id='2268938' first='Bryce' last='Dalton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1226610' first='Hank' last='Webb'] among a slew of others to rely on as he looks to go out with a bang as a top shooter in the state. Harris will certainly play with a sense of urgency with the Hornets given his cast of 2025s to bring along in 2023-24. Last year's varsity experience should do them well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Hendersonville Bearcats</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hendersonville High had a strong 2022-23 outing led by 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1360306' first='Malachi' last='Simpson']. He'll have [player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='CJ' last='Landrum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2091767' first='Coby' last='Retana'] back as well with some pieces to replace. Simpson will be looked upon to do a whole lot more heading into his junior year in the 2A West though unsigned senior Landrum and 2025 guard Retana should also show their respective development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->