2023 In Review – NCISAA 3A Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 2023 winding down, its time to take in all that's occurred so far in the 2023-2024 season. With non-conference play winding down, the NCISAA 3A class is a very open race, with defending champs Greensboro Day strong but not world beaters like last year. Read below for some of the top storylines and players so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trio of Triad Teams at the Top</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a class that was always going to be pretty wide open in the race for a state title, it seems there's three main contenders that will be playing for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forsyth Country Day would be the betting favorite as of right now, with an 11-2 record with a two point loss to Cannon and a four point loss to NC GBB. [player_tooltip player_id='1078979' first='Bobby' last='Cannon Jr'] has been electrifying as a slashing forward with outstanding length and rim protection so far. [player_tooltip player_id='1556663' first='Q' last='Williams'] was outstanding as a coach on the floor and a commanding presence at the point guard spot when I saw him, and he has kept that level of play up all year. [player_tooltip player_id='997745' first='Iverson' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='854910' first='Draven' last='Pilson'] provide college level physicality, size, and defense at the wing positions, and [player_tooltip player_id='1976853' first='Jahon' last='Foster'] has been a sparkplug/sixth man type of guy off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Greensboro Day, defending their title as well as losing four starters from that team, their 12-4 record and 3rd place finish in a strong HAECO Invitational field has showed that concerns about a rebuilding year were unfounded. Will Otto has been steady and transitioned to be more of a scorer compared to a facilitator, but still has both tools in his arsenal. [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] has also stepped up from being a glue guy to having more of an assertive scoring role, one that we saw on display this summer in grassroots action. [player_tooltip player_id='2305899' first='Jaden' last='Palmore'] has also developed into a higher level pass-first PG, while [player_tooltip player_id='2055661' first='Kohi' last='Strickland'] has progressed from his EYBL action into a defensively oriented wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HPCA was my sleeper pick headed into the season, and their depth as well as top end talent has come to the forefront as they're 12-2 with a championship victory in the Myrtle Beach Classic. [player_tooltip player_id='1864069' first='Isaiah' last='Sanders'] is a classic do it all point guard who just picked up tournament MVP, leading the charge in both scoring and assists for his team. [player_tooltip player_id='1635130' first='Adam' last='Grier'] is a long, athletic guard who is able to guard multiple positions but is developing a three level scoring game in front of us. [player_tooltip player_id='1907233' first='Max' last='VanWeerdhuizen'] is a sharpshooter who spaces the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id='1931127' first='Jaiquan' last='Clay'] is an undersized forward who plays the big spot for them, and brings immense rim protection and athleticism for his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Charlotte Area Teams are Nipping at Heels</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With this class being wide open, both Concord Academy and Gaston Christian fit nicely into the second tier of contenders. They're both groups that have played a very strong strength of schedule but haven't come out unscathed (CA is 8-10 and GCS is 9-8), but have lots of talent and guard play that can carry them deep into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concord Academy is led by Indiana State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1742881' first='Sean' last='Birmingham'], a 6'7 wing/forward who scores the ball well at multiple levels on the floor, especially with his jumper. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1297327' first='Jake' last='Benham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2306038' first='Ian' last='Howard'] are great scoring guards that can shoot and drive the ball to the mid-range respectively, and <strong>Andre Rudy</strong> has shown he can be a playmaking guard. <strong>Alex Kornacki</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2275324' first='Icare' last='Bakadisula'] will be difference makers in the frontcourt if they can develop and find their form later in the season, but CA will still be a tough out no matter what in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaston Christian is led by former Duke standout Chris Duhon, but their high level talent extends onto the court as well. Their trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1809464' first='Makoi' last='Mabor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1672429' first='Cameron' last='Newman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1809463' first='Joe' last='Rhyne'] will continue to lead them as far as they can go. Newman is a shifty, quick little point guard who has shown the ability to make plays for himself and others. Rhyne is a sharpshooter and secondary playmaker for the group, while Mabor has shown the most upside as a physical, rim running big man who is a terror around the rim on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams will get to face each other in a rematch from earlier in the season, where the Eagles won by 8. However, it'll be a close matchup between two teams that could end up in the last four of the state tournament, if not further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Triangle Teams Winning, but Unproven</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only remaining undefeated team in the class, as well as two teams with top 10 MaxPreps ratings, all hail from the Triangle. Cary Christian is 7-0, Grace Christian (Raleigh) is 10-5, and Wake Christian is 10-3 as they head into conference play after their holiday tournaments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a two man show for the undefeated Knights, as [player_tooltip player_id='1665790' first='Andrew' last='Neal'] is averaging over 27 PPG while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2320725' first='David' last='Wisniewski Jr'].</strong> is averaging a massive double double with 17 PPG and 13 RPG. Coach Bill Thompson has his group off to their best start in possibly his entire tenure, but still needs to play more teams of note. Their best win is a scrappy victory over Calvary Day, but they'll have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves as January comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grace Christian of Raleigh is 10-5 but one would say they've gotten out and played a tougher schedule, with their best win coming against Ravenscroft. [player_tooltip player_id='854906' first='Quasim' last='Oden'] has returned from an early season injury to lead this group from the guard spot as a high impact floor general, while [player_tooltip player_id='2092926' first='Michael' last='Phillips'] has shown dynamic athleticism on the high school stage, reminding us that he may be a bonafide D1 prospect when all is said and done. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1076365' first='Steven' last='McLeod'], <strong>Noah Kyritsis</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2322421' first='Dylan' last='Couse']</strong> are all senior leaders who made impact plays for them when they need it. I'd say they have a lighter schedule the rest of the way except for a big matchup with FCDS in January which will tell us a lot about both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Chad Robbins has continued to turn his Wake Christian group into one of the best teams in recent school history, as they're 10-3 so far. The brother duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1281019' first='Beckett' last='Coon'] and <strong>Berkley Coon</strong> have been electrifying scoring wise, both scoring over 16 PPG and knocking down 69 threes between them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532751' first='Brady' last='Williams']</strong> has also been scoring it at a high clip, as the three of them have been a dynamic trio that opposing teams have found difficult to stop. With wins over Ravenscroft and Trinity Academy, this group will need to keep winning and developing confidence to be a team who makes a really deep run in Feburary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Christian (Sanford)</strong> has two next level prospects to know in [player_tooltip player_id='1120968' first='Ma'Kyi' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2268821' first='Nate' last='Jones']. Butler is a 2024 who leads the team and ranks fifth in his class in scoring at 19 PPG, while Jones is a 2027 who looks to be one of the better PGs in his class so far... <strong>Aidan Davies </strong>has been an electrifying post presence for <strong>Coastal Christian</strong>, averaging over 20 PPG while not making a single three pointer on the year. He attacks hard inside and fights hard on the glass... [player_tooltip player_id='1694957' first='Dane' last='Cassada'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1225664' first='Preston' last='Copeland'] are some of the top names in the class that we haven't mentioned yet. Cassada is a jumbo point guard with great vision and instincts, while Copeland is a HM forward who has played hard inside and rebounded the ball well despite plenty of extra attention coming his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->