Around the State: 2A Catawba Valley Conference
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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. There’s…
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Continue ReadingTwo 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.
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Bandys High (8-0)
The Trojans have proven to be a formidable opponent already in 2023-24 led by junior Landon Vaughan Landon Vaughan 6'9" | C Bandys | 2025 State NC and senior Micah Slaughter Micah Slaughter 6'0" | SG Bandys | 2024 NC . They’ve found some pieces in juniors Easton Ledford Easton Ledford 6'4" | SF Bandys | 2025 NC , Christian Etter Christian Etter 6'3" | SF Bandys | 2025 NC 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.
Lincolnton High (7-0)
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 Landen Lyerly Landen Lyerly 6'6" | PF Lincolnton | 2025 State NC has emerged as have junior guards Cross Arias Cross Arias 5'11" | SG Lincolnton | 2025 NC and Tyler Mcclain Tyler Mcclain 6'3" | CG Lincolnton | 2025 NC . 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.
West Caldwell High (6-2)
The Warriors are 1-0 in the Catawba Valley standings following a 67-53 victory over Newton-Conover High this past Friday. Jordan Patterson Jordan Patterson 6'3" | CG West Caldwell | 2025 State NC 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 Nylan Battle Nylan Battle 6'1" | CG West Caldwell | 2024 State NC 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 Zion Thomas Zion Thomas 5'6" | PG West Caldwell | 2025 State NC and Jay Maxwell Jay Maxwell 5'9" | CG West Caldwell | 2025 NC 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.