NCHSAA Games of the Week – Week 1

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hopewell (1-0) @ Butler (0-0)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopewell looks to continue their winning ways as they head down 485 to take on Butler, a program that will not back down from a tough test. [player_tooltip player_id='1281454' first='Quay' last='Watson'] just broke the school's all time scoring record on Friday, and will look to extend that this year as a dynamic 3 level scorer that will head to UNC Pembroke next year to continue playing. He's got some really solid pieces around him, like preseason all-conference pick [player_tooltip player_id='1281455' first='Derrick' last='Eley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220163' first='Jullian' last='Mack']. Tayari Hines was also a name that gained traction for them in fall league events and is shaping up to potentially be another dynamic wing piece they can use.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Butler, it's the [player_tooltip player_id='1591916' first='Tyler' last='Showalter'] show this year after he had an awesome spring and summer. The 6'6 wing will look to fill it up from multiple levels and showcase his impressive athleticism tomorrow night. [player_tooltip player_id='2321491' first='Reece' last='Starnes'] will also be vital inside in order for this group to change it up and keep attacking in different ways than just from the perimeter, and Terrence Badio is a name coming up from JV this year that could be in line to make some noise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm liking Hopewell in this one to get a win on the road, but look for Watson and Showalter to go punch for punch tomorrow night as they both have big evenings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enloe (0-1) vs. Panther Creek (0-0)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enloe and Panther Creek match up on Tuesday evening as two solid teams in Wake County that could be surprise packages in 4A if things go according to plan. The Eagles are led by a very underrated senior duo in [player_tooltip player_id='1704163' first='Gift' last='Moses'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1731130' first='Owen' last='Pedersen'], both sizeable wings that do different things. Pedersen is a solid shooter, scorer, and defender that gives a great two way presence for them at all times, while Moses will be one of the best interior defenders and rim protectors in the Triangle area while only standing at 6'6. [player_tooltip player_id='1281028' first='Jamyr' last='Coleman'] will look to improve on his freshman season as he continues to handle point guard duties for them as well, and could be a big area stockriser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For PC, they'll be leaning on [player_tooltip player_id='1614288' first='Chris' last='Uwayo'], the senior sensation, to lead them over the course of the season. He's a knockdown shooter and has no trouble creating his own looks when the offense needs a spark. Zy'Vaun Puckett was a lengthy wing I've had eyes on since the summer and it should be a big jump in Year Two for him as the game continues to slow down. Then looking at the rest of the starting five including names like Ja'Tez Ward, [player_tooltip player_id='1076332' first='Greg' last='Ehlinger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2085686' first='Logan' last='Ware'], you can see why this group should have a deep run in the state playoffs. Ehlinger and Ware bring real size and floor spacing ability to the table, while Ward is a shifty undersized combo guard that can step in and run the show when Uwayo needs a break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PC should run away with this one in the second half, but I like how much talent and competitiveness will be on the floor tomorrow. Should be a fun game to keep track of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">AC Reynolds (0-0) @ Cox Mill (0-0)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday afternoon holds our final game of the week, as AC Reynolds makes the drive down to take on Cox Mill. [player_tooltip player_id='1076354' first='Langston' last='Boyd'] has committed to GA Southern, but will be looking for sustained success in his last year of college hoops. He's joined by sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1931994' first='Tyler' last='Brown'], who had a big summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2225832' first='Team' last='Curry'] and is looking like a legitimate forward prospect for D1 schools. [player_tooltip player_id='1409605' first='Sean' last='Dunn'] rounds out the main threats for this group as a knockdown shooter and scorer, and should see a lot more looks with [player_tooltip player_id='1180893' first='DJ' last='Boyce'] transferring to UFCA this year. They'll need a few other pieces to improve and help round out their depth, but their top level talent is impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For AC Reynolds, [player_tooltip player_id='1225449' first='Grant' last='Clayton'] will be an imposing matchup for Brown on the offensive end, as the junior is wise beyond his years and really plays with high IQ and vision every time he's on the court. He's a high post threat as a passer and a back to the basket scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='1361283' first='Declan' last='Brown'] is a great secondary option for them as a big wing scorer that really strokes it from beyond the arc. He's physical too, making him multi-dimensional. [player_tooltip player_id='2093870' first='Kaelan' last='Gilliland'] and Zach Dickey fill out the backcourt as solid presences who can shoot and pass the ball well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a tight one throughout, and I'm excited to see who comes out on top. There's a lot of high level talent for college coaches to get eyes on in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->