Around the State: 2A Catawba Valley Conference

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Two teams in the Catawba Valley Conference remain unbeaten while four are currently 1-0 in the conference standings as the holiday break approaches. Take a look at the conference outlook and some early favorites to win in it all.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bandys High (8-0)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans have proven to be a formidable opponent already in 2023-24 led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='2093887' first='Landon' last='Vaughan'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2173937' first='Micah' last='Slaughter']. They've found some pieces in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2283885' first='Easton' last='Ledford'], [player_tooltip player_id='2301236' first='Christian' last='Etter'] and Dominic Robinson to be successful this season. Etter leads the team in 3-pointers made (12) while Vaughan has averaged 19.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 2.5 BPG on the interior. Slaughter is averaging 14.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.8 SPG while Ledford is averaging 13.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.6 APG and 2.3 SPG. They've shown how dominant they can be already in non-conference play, they'll just need the production to carry over. They're a well-balanced group that's slowly finding their identity in the Catawba Valley Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Lincolnton High (7-0)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman LJ Smith is off to quite the start for the Wolves on the varsity stage. He put up 27 points in Lincolnton's 77-47 victory over Bunker Hill to kick off Catawba Valley Conference action at 1-0. He's not alone either as junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2093879' first='Landen' last='Lyerly'] has emerged as have junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2301245' first='Cross' last='Arias'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2301246' first='Tyler' last='Mcclain']. Smith is posting 29.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 2.7 SPG on 56 percent shooting from the field and 46 percent shooting from deep. He's been efficient in leading his Wolves to a 7-0 start. Lyerly is averaging 10.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG and 4.0 BPG. Arias is producing 8.1 PPG and Mcclain is producing 7.6 PPG and 5.3 RPG. With an unbeaten Ashbrook still on the non-conference slate, look for Smith to continue his stellar play against a tough bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">West Caldwell High (6-2)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors are 1-0 in the Catawba Valley standings following a 67-53 victory over Newton-Conover High this past Friday. [player_tooltip player_id='1774476' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He's led the way for them this season with 26.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.4 APG and 2.4 SPG., Unsigned senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1030028' first='Nylan' last='Battle'] also had 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He's posted 12.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG. 3.1 APG and 1.4 SPG through eight games. They're a scrappy group with quick guards [player_tooltip player_id='1774477' first='Zion' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2301250' first='Jay' last='Maxwell'] in the fold. Thomas is averaging 9.6 PPG and 4.3 APG while Maxwell is averaging 8.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 2.4 APG. They'll be a tough squad to beat when January arrives given their non-conference schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->