NCHSAA Games of the Week – Week 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the first day of basketball for public schools with football starting this Friday, we're in line to see some impressive opening weekend games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Norman @ Pine Lake Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big non-conference clash to start the year as 4A contenders Lake Norman will head down I-77 to take on 2A contenders Pine Lake Prep. The Wildcats are a deep group, led by 6'9 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1409597' first='Trent' last='Steinour'] and 6'5 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1226603' first='Tre' last='McKinnon'], but also have good talent at the point guard position with [player_tooltip player_id='1907231' first='Nick' last='Arnold'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1990413' first='Josh' last='Yates']. They can run hard with a deep group, and they'll shoot it well in transition with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1334260' first='Santana' last='Lynch']. Their positional size will cause problems for many opponents, but Pine Lake will be able to match up with them better than most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Pride, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2279853' first='Robert' last='Magner']</strong> will probably be tasked with guarding Steinour, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2280389' first='Lucas' last='Strickfaden']</strong> on McKinnon. Both are physical wing/forward types that have athleticism and strength to guard at multiple spots. Strickfaden is a slasher while Magner is a shot maker and taker on the offensive end, and his performance will determine if the Pride can pull off the upset. [player_tooltip player_id='2175509' first='Joseph' last='Bruce'] and <strong>Lucas Morgan</strong> can also impact the game with their shooting and playmaking abilities, and will need a few outside shots from both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, Lake Norman is the better team, but Coach Tony Dunbar and the Pride will be ready to go at home to open the year. Expect a close slugfest for all 32 minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sanderson @ Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanderson will face a test on the road at new-look Heritage Friday night, as new head coach Gibson Pyper and the Huskies are ready to bounce back from a difficult year last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Sanderson, it all runs through preseason POY [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] this year, a dynamic shooter who is continuing to expand his shot creation ability inside the arc. He may be able to get some more open looks this year due to both his improvement on his own game and the emergence of guys like <strong>Patrick Dalton</strong> and <strong>Gordie Balas</strong>. Those two should be able to provide some on ball talent that allows Fife to work as a cutter and off-ball player at times as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage returns one of the top players in the NAC, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2322735' first='Levi' last='Beckwith']</strong>, who is a combo forward that can create his own shots as well as thrive as a screener and cutter off the ball. Defensively he can guard multiple positions and plays harder than many at his size and position. [player_tooltip player_id='1634642' first='KJ' last='Cox'] will be the other guy in the frontcourt, with impressive do-it-all ability on offense but excels in shooting the ball from deep. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2891338' first='Cameron' last='Jones']</strong> is also a 2026 who is starting to make noise as someone with natural talent and good at the rim finishing/touch. He's on the verge of breaking out into a really impressive player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both these teams still have a ways to go to become elite, but they are two of the biggest potential overachievers in the Triangle area this upcoming season. They could make some noise in their respective conferences regardless of the outcome on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dudley @ Mallard Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An inter-region clash is the final game on our list as Dudley heads down to Charlotte to take on Mallard Creek. Dudley returns some of the more intriguing and talented guards in the Triad area, as [player_tooltip player_id='2055662' first='CJ' last='Jones'] is a rapidly developing bucket-getter who shined in grassroots/offseason events over the past few months. Expect him to come in this year as the go-to guy for them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2320793' first='Nasir' last='Newkirk'] </strong>is also an athletic freak on the football field that does damage attacking the rim on the basketball court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Mavericks, it's another year of watching [player_tooltip player_id='1682378' first='Rassell' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1365518' first='Jaylyn' last='Connor'] get better and better. Young is a dynamic combo guard who, while standing at 6'2, is electric at putting pressure on the rim and facilitating for his teammates. Multiple high mjaor schools are in the mix for him. Connor is more of a true marksman, heading towards triple digit 3PM in his junior year and continuing to develop as a scorer. He should be a guy who firmly ends up at the D2/D3 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallard Creek should have this one under control, as their guard pairing has more experience than Dudley's. However, don't be surprised if Dudley either keeps this one close or finds a big game from either Jones or Newkirk, as they have the potential to go off at any given time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->