NCHSAA Top Performers – Week 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With public school basketball really getting going on Friday, we had plenty of opportunities to see state title contenders, impressive college level players, and all kinds of guys get off to good starts to the season. Check out 5 of our top performers from the NCHSAA ranks this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1031096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hammonds got off to a blazing start on Friday night, leading his AK team to a win over Providence with a stat line of 17 pts, 9 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 steals. He was all over the court affecting the game Friday as he did all last season. His playmaking and scoring numbers are unsurprising considering he has a knack for finding the open man and also taking his own looks when he can get them, but I was impressed with how hard he stuck his nose in and rebounded. The defensive pressure he caused was also a key in their victory. He should be picking up offers/making a commitment before the season is over.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2043560"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"VanBeurden showed off why he's a top 2026 in the WNC region in a dominant win for his group on Friday night. He finished with 20 points and 4 made threes, continuing to show off his ability to shoot the ball from deep. He's got good touch and figures out how to attack the lane with it, hitting some nice floaters and mid-range crafty jumpers through the night. Able to whip the ball around as a passer as well. Should be able to continue leading his team, which is on the rise as a 2A school to watch.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2292116' first='KJ' last='Younger']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Weddington","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Weddington is 1-0, and while [player_tooltip player_id='1890476' first='Grant' last='Hamilton'] had another solid performance, we have to give some props to his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2292116' first='KJ' last='Younger']. Younger had a monstrous 31 point, 10 rebound performance on Friday, looking like a man amongst boys around the interior. He's really physical and strong despite only being 6'4, and just bullies people around the rim for loose balls, layups, and rebounds. He's got some nice vertical pop as well that makes him a threat in transition. If he can continue to progress and play like this, he should be a target for regional schools.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1368142"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Jones is making his mark for RJ Reynolds, with his 31 point performance leading all scorers in the win over Western Guilford. He's a good shooter, as evidenced by his 5 threes, where he really makes a mark by staying consistent and being . He got to the line as well, slicing through the defense and putting pressure on defenders to make a play. On defense, he's solid and can affect the game by getting in passing lanes and knocking the ball away from opposing ball handlers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1754423"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Eatman was the focal point in Green Level's opening night win, as they look to compete for a NCHSAA 4A state title. He had 17 points on an efficient 7/11 night from the field, also knocking down 3 three pointers to go with it. He's got an ability to create really well, with composure to attack off the bounce and not get bullied by physical defenders. His two way versatility was also on display Friday as he recorded 3 steals and made impact plays on the defensive end. Look for him to continue to make an impact for the Gators this year.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655b6ce2ebbd0"} /-->