2023 In Review – NCHSAA 1A West Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With public schools about to enter conference play in the coming weeks, it's time to take a look back on the 2023 portion of this season in North Carolina. This article starts us off in the 1A West class, with some tough teams that will be in contention for a state title in Feburary/March. Read below for some top storylines and players to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Stokes Dominating So Far</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Stokes has really turned their program around after COVID, with this 11-0 start being the third year in a row a South Stokes team is over .800 winning percentage at the new year. [player_tooltip player_id='1274327' first='Barry' last='Hairston'] has continued to be a confident finisher around the rim, and looking great around the perimeter as a shooter both off the catch and the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1273265' first='Isiah' last='Lash'] is a nice slashing threat that attacks the glass hard and has a college level frame on him, and guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2319817' first='Brady' last='Clark'] and Michael Werts have been key to their success recently as complimentary pieces who can have their own day any night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Charlotte-Area Schools in the Chasing Pack</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carolina International and Mountain Island Charter are both schools that haven proven they can be impact contenders in the 1A title race so far this year. Mountain Island is led by impact freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2298570' first='Christan' last='Jones'], who's averaging 22 PPG so far on the seeason, and hasn't scored less than 20 since the first game of the year. He's a smaller guard at this point, but has good touch and feel around the basket. Caleb Nesbitt has played the role of an undersized forward for this group, being the second leading scorer and top rebounder for the Raptors, and the rest of their starting 5 has been contributing anywhere from 8-10 points a game in support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Carolina International, it's been a very balanced effort, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1504965' first='Malaki' last='Long']. He's averaging over 13 PPG, and knows how to create and run the floor in transition or the half court in order to get his team a bucket. Michael Davis is also averaging a similar amount, and the two are a dynamic scoring duo that has to be reckoned with on a nightly basis. [player_tooltip player_id='2415029' first='Landon' last='Griffin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1608353' first='Roy' last='Quick'] are the guys in the backcourt to monitor, two smaller guards that facilitate and distribute well to both operate as scoring options or shift the spotlight onto their teammates. Their 6-6 record belies the fact that they've played some tough teams from the Charlotte area so far, giving them toughness and experience heading into their conference season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop McGuinness in the Mix</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop McGuinness was a Final Four participant in 1A last year, and should be expected to be around the same level once again. Their senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1411239' first='John' last='Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1731146' first='Cal' last='Barrett'] are excelling so far, Campbell as a combo wing and Barrett as a hybrid post option. Campbell is a Hampden-Sydney commit who is disruptive on defense with his length, excels as a rebounder and playmaker, and has an offensive game that is progressing well. Barrett can step out and shoot it, but is more of a slasher who gets downhill and can make plays above the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1372455' first='Nicholas' last='Graves'] has begun to fill the role left behind by Jamison Graves (no relation) as a combo guard who really makes shots with precision from beyond the arc. They're 7-2 and have played tough teams in the HAECO Invitational this year, setting them up for success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Players to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanner Delattre is an over 20 PPG scorer for South Davidson as they look to be competitive in the Central Carolina 1A conference... Parker Ryan and Marco Tampoya are a lethal duo that are combining for 34 PPG for Christ the King in Huntersville. Both are slashers that like to get inside the arc to do their damage... D'Trevion Harris is averaging an outstanding stat line of 17 points and 14 rebounds per game so far for Cornerstone Charter. He's a 6'2 forward who is active under the basket and on the glass all game long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->