NCHSAA Games of the Week – Week 2
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With public schools in line for a full week of games due to no holiday breaks, we’re expected to see some great matchups. With plenty of fun mid-season tournaments going on this weekend, we’ll cover those soon, so the games…
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Continue ReadingWith public schools in line for a full week of games due to no holiday breaks, we’re expected to see some great matchups. With plenty of fun mid-season tournaments going on this weekend, we’ll cover those soon, so the games covered are just one off matchups across teams non-conference schedules. With two occurring in the Triangle and one in the Triad, read below for our three games of the week, and the players/teams expected to shine.
Millbrook (0-1) @ Garner (1-1)
Millbrook dropped their first game of the year last weekend against a strong Richmond team, and it doesn’t get any easier with a trip to Garner on deck Thursday. The Wildcats are led by 2025 Colt Langdon Colt Langdon 6'7" | SG Millbrook | 2025 State #114 Nation NC , the sharpshooting combo forward that will have his pick of HM schools. Alex Olander Alex Olander 6'4" | SF Millbrook | 2024 State NC will slot in as a great shooting transfer from Ravenscroft in the frontcourt, and Kyrie Heredia Kyrie Heredia 6'4" | SF Millbrook | 2024 State NC is an unsigned senior to know playing on the wing. In the backcourt, heart over height guy Jacob Lawton Jacob Lawton 5'8" | PG Millbrook | 2024 State NC and two-way threat Brandon Callahan Brandon Callahan 6'3" | SG Millbrook | 2024 NC man the backcourt. This group is deep and talented, and should get back on track soon.
For Garner, they’re led by the sibling duo of Darius Whitner Darius Whitner 6'2" | CG Garner Magnet | 2026 State NC and Tayshaun Whitner Tayshaun Whitner 6'0" | PG Garner Magnet | 2024 State NC . Both play great, intense defense and know how to facilitate for their teammates. Kingston Beale Kingston Beale 6'4" | SF Garner Magnet | 2026 State NC is one of their go-to scorers who continuously attacks downhill and puts pressure on the rim, and Cam’ren Reyes does the same except he can also get to his mid-range spots for jumpers. Ghab Scott Ghab Scott 5'10" | PG Garner | 2025 State NC and Keaton Bloms Keaton Bloms 6'6" | PF Garner | 2025 State NC are both good additional pieces, Scott as a high intensity point guard and Bloms as a screening forward.
This should be an absolute dogfight, and it will be a tight contest for all 32 minutes. I’m going to refrain from making a prediction on the score here, instead predicting Langdon and Reyes to have big nights for their respective squads once again.
Orange (2-1) @ Jordan (0-2)
Jordan is still looking for the first win of their young season, and Thursday’s game will not be an easy win as Orange comes to town. For the Panthers, Cole Cloer Cole Cloer 6'6" | SF Orange | 2026 State NC is one of the most dynamic players in his class and the state as a whole, and should be expected to play a large role in the outcome due to his scoring prowess and ability to impact the game defensively with his length. Kai Wade Kai Wade 5'11" | CG Orange | 2026 State NC has been a great complementary scorer so far and excels at getting to the free throw line, and Ryan Honeycutt Ryan Honeycutt 6'6" | C Orange | 2024 State NC provides a post presence they need down low with a sturdy frame and great rebounding traits.
Derek Ross Jr Derek Ross Jr 5'11" | PG Jordan | 2025 State NC . has continued to run the show for Jordan just like he did last year, as the pint-sized point guard continues to really attack defenses and either score the ball or hit his teammates for open looks. Zion Wells Zion Wells 6'4" | SF Jordan | 2025 State NC is the other part of their great back court, with long arms which allow him to finish well around the rim as well as knock down perimeter jumpers. He’ll also probably draw the defensive assignment on Cloer. Julian Lowe Julian Lowe 6'3" | SG Jordan | 2027 State NC has also been performing well as a complementary scorer.
This is going to be another tight game, with Jordan playing a gauntlet of a schedule that includes this game. I bank on the Falcons pulling out their first win of the season here, led by great efforts from all three aforementioned players.
West Forsyth (1-0) @ Atkins (0-1)
West Forsyth picked up a big win against Mallard Creek to open their year, but will now face another road test and have to take on a feisty Atkins team led by new coach Kishon Bishop. The Titans are led by ever-present point guard Jacari Brim Jacari Brim 6'2" | PG West Forsyth | 2025 State NC , who’s interior shot making ability, facilitating, and dogged on ball defense have earned him offers from multiple Division 1 programs in the last few months. Cameron White and Max Skillman Max Skillman 6'3" | SF West Forsyth | 2026 State NC will also be tasked with taking on larger roles for this group, White as an off ball secondary scorer, and Skillman is a versatile offensive weapon who can switch all over the floor on defense.
For Atkins, it all runs through Kaleb Roope Kaleb Roope 6'4" | CG Atkins | 2024 NC , the shooting guard who is beginning to pick up recruiting steam across the region this year. He’s able to score it from all parts of the floor, especially from deep. Laithan Atkins is another guy who had a strong first contest of the year, and should be expected to keep it going as a secondary scorer for this Camels group.
I expect West Forsyth to get to 2-0 on the road because of their superior point guard play, but don’t expect Atkins to go down without a fight. Roope should have a big game for them.