2023 In Review – NCHSAA 2A East Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 2023 in our rearview mirror and conference play approaching, it's time to continue the 2023 year in review for the current season. This edition takes us to the loaded 2A East class, with another heavy favorite and a ton of talented players that are on chasing pack teams. Read below for more info, top storylines, and some mentions of the top talent in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Farmville Going For 5 Out Of 6?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmville Central</strong> has looked the part of contenders to start the year, only losing their one contest to Reidsville in a 2A state title game rematch, which may be what we see in the championship game this year. Senior sniper [player_tooltip player_id='1076359' first='Tyler' last='Whitehurst'] leads them in scoring at over 14 PPG, while [player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams'] is a crafty lefty who averages 12 PPG and 7 APG while handling the ball most of the time for this group. [player_tooltip player_id='1076333' first='Hampton' last='Evans'] is a transfer from Greenfield where he's been an integral part of the frontcourt, rebounding the basketball well with his teammate Jayden Daniels. [player_tooltip player_id='1402878' first='Chris' last='Rhodes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1076368' first='Alex' last='Moye'] round out the key contributors in the rotation, which is deep and full of athletic guys Coach Williford uses in his trapping, pressing defense. They will still get Washington twice and another matchup with Wilson Prep, but the rest of this group's schedule is light enough to where they could be headed into the state tournament with just the singular loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Triangle Outskirts Teams Also In Contention</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwood</strong> and <strong>South Granville</strong> are both teams with deep supporting casts around some tough, talented star players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers are 9-2, are are led by potential NBA talent and UNC commit [player_tooltip player_id='1115509' first='Drake' last='Powell'], who leads them in all statistical categories. He's a true combo forward who does everything, and continues to work on his perimeter game. [player_tooltip player_id='1144259' first='Fred' last='Whitaker'] continues to show he's a college level prospect mostly as a point guard, and [player_tooltip player_id='1411220' first='Cameron' last='Fowler'] is one of the bigger risers of the HS season, showing he can play with the big boys on the John Wall stage as a wing/forward type guy. [player_tooltip player_id='1698850' first='Jake' last='Leighton'] is a knockdown shooter on the wing that regional coaches could use on their team next year, and [player_tooltip player_id='1225618' first='Beau' last='Harvey'] transferred in from Chatham Charter to play a supporting forward role for this group. With great size, experience, and talent, they should fare well against the rest of their schedule, which includes a highlight marquee matchup with Myers Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For South Granville, it's more of a two man duo that has gotten the job done en route to a 8-3 record, with no losses in state. [player_tooltip player_id='1382677' first='Pierce' last='Pettit'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1076363' first='Oliver' last='Roberts'] both average 15.2 PPG, but have different playing styles that set them apart somewhat. Both can shoot it from downtown, but Roberts is the primary ball handler, while Petit is entrusted to be the go-to scorer that takes every shot he can. <strong>Brenden Chamberlain</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1220114' first='Mason' last='Brown'] are two supporting guys who start and pull down boards, play good defense, and are just solid players for this group as well. They'll have two tough tussles with Southern Durham, and an interesting conference schedule to navigate before the tournament comes into view.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eastern NC Teams Gearing Up For Runs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goldsboro</strong> and <strong>Washington</strong> are both squads from the eastern part of the state that are looking to get deep in the tournament and potentially end up in a state title matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pam Pack has a dynamic duo in [player_tooltip player_id='1280985' first='Chaise' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220132' first='Javon' last='Williams'], who are both definite college level prospects. Smith is a dynamite downhill guard who attacks the rim with no mercy, but also makes tons of plays for others with the ball in his hands. He leads the team in multiple stat categories like scoring and assists. Williams is a bigger wing who gets to the rim but chooses his spots from deep with precision. Gary Payne also comes in as a football playing senior with strength and physicality around the rim, as he is averaging a double double through 11 games. Washington will actually face off with Goldsboro tomorrow, which will tell us a lot about both teams chances both against each other and in the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Goldsboro, the athletic forward [player_tooltip player_id='1076371' first='Amari' last='Latham'] is the unquestioned star of the show. He's averaging 22.6 PPG as he tries to show he can really score the ball in all areas of the floor, and be a go to guy for his group. He can run in transition but has looked better in the halfcourt creating his own shot. Nyrese Williams has been solid as a secondary scorer, and Maurice Tyler is a young wing with size who has rebounded the ball well in the early going, making him a 2026 to monitor. They have the aforementioned clash with Washington tomorrow, as well as conference matchups with North Johnston, but should be conference champions again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1030009' first='Shamel' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1062166' first='Charles' last='Matheka'] have continued their tear at East Carteret once again this season. The Mariners are hovering around .500 but the duo is combined averaging over 48 PPG and 10 APG... [player_tooltip player_id='1165176' first='Marcel' last='Freeman'] is still averaging 26 PPG over at North Johnston as the Panthers are a dark horse in the middle rounds of the tournament. He's got an old school game and does his damage mostly in the mid-post area of the floor... [player_tooltip player_id='2299524' first='Jayonta' last='Blanchard'] has helped Beddingfield get off to a 10-1 start, better than they've had in recent years. He and Jhion Ashby have been dynamic in scoring the ball so far... [player_tooltip player_id='1990353' first='Rue' last='Chapman'] has been his athletic and quick self for Southeast Onslow as they gear up for a state run as well. He's averaging over 6 steals a game making him one of the premier defensive players from the eastern half of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->