2023 In Review – NCHSAA 2A West 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 West class, with a heavy favorite, some dynamic scorers, and a ton of talented players. 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">Reidsville Poised to Be Kings Again</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reidsville</strong> should not be stopped from here on out, not that they have so far this year. The Rams are a perfect 9-0 with a championship from the John Wall Invitational, and have a dynamic trio in [player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']. Sharpe is the scoring combo guard that takes and makes shots in volume, operating mostly from the mid-range area and in. Neal is the little point guard who is an excellent passer with absurd vision, but can also score the ball really efficiently and act as a pest on defense. Harrison comes in as the physical, burly big who still has explosive athleticism and rim protection abilities, and dominates the block on offense. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1372144' first='Al-Jariq' last='Lee'] and <strong>Cam'Ron Jones</strong> continue to support the trio with spot up scoring and rebounding, but the offense runs through three guys. They should be hoisting another trophy with a perfect season under their belts unless something crazy happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Singular Stars Leading Other Contending Teams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Salisbury</strong> and <strong>Lincolnton</strong> are ranked 2nd and 3rd in the MaxPreps strength rankings currently, and both teams have something in common; they're led by a star player that takes over games for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the <strong>Hornets</strong>, thats [player_tooltip player_id='1126297' first='Jayden' last='Harris'], the Wake Forest commit who is now over 2,000 points in his career and is headed to Wake Forest next year. He is an incredibly fluid scorer, someone who can shoot it as well as drive the ball. He's got a big frame which makes him easily able to manhandle smaller defenders for his size as well. Braylon Taylor and [player_tooltip player_id='2268938' first='Bryce' last='Dalton'] both average around 9 PPG to buoy the Hornets as well, but it's mostly the "get the ball to Juke" show. They shouldn't have many problems with the remaining teams in the conference, and in the tournament it will just come down to who can slow Harris enough, which Cannon, Chambers, and Rabun Gap have shown they can do well enough to give the Hornets their three losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at <strong>Lincolnton</strong>, their 32 PPG scorer is [player_tooltip player_id='1280889' first='LJ' last='Smith IV'], the freshman phenom who is going to explode on national radars this spring/summer. He's really crafty and looks to get his own shot or find teammates when defenses throw the kitchen sink at him. He's more developed offensively at his age than many other older than him, which is a scary thought for every team coming in to play him. [player_tooltip player_id='2093879' first='Landen' last='Lyerly'] cleans up the glass when Smith misses (which isn't often), and [player_tooltip player_id='2301246' first='Tyler' last='Mcclain'] continues to provide a scoring punch when he's asked to or Smith is out of the game. This is a team that has won more games currently than all of last season, with their only blemish so far coming to Ashbrook. They'll be a tough out for any team when the tournament rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a ton of teams with similar levels and ceilings in this class, which means there will be some tight games and potential upsets during conference play, and could be some mayhem in certain sections of the bracket at the end of the year. Instead of shortchanging this many talented programs, we'll make sure to give recognition to many of them below in an extended section of Other Teams to Monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1360306' first='Malachi' last='Simpson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2171812' first='Peyton' last='Rodriguez'] are two names to monitor at <strong>Hendersonville</strong>, as Simpson is a long, fluid wing who can fill it up, while Rodriguez is a calm and heady floor general who knows how to make the right read... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1273282' first='Camden' last='Edmonds'] and <strong>West Stokes</strong> will go as far as he can, with the dynamic scorer pouring buckets in from everywhere on the court night in and out. [player_tooltip player_id='2448909' first='Derek' last='Studer'] and Keyon Rawley are his running mates, with Studer the sturdy post presence and Rawley a dynamic transition and open space athlete... </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1774476' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] has been averaging 26 PPG with <strong>West Caldwell</strong> as a three level scoring threat as well as a prolific rebounder. [player_tooltip player_id='1030028' first='Nylan' last='Battle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1774477' first='Zion' last='Thomas'] have both averaged in double figures for the Warriors as well, making their mark as complementary pieces...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1382675' first='Jaylen' last='Wilkerson'] is the go-to guy at <strong>Walkertown</strong> where he provides a lethal shooting presence as well as the ability to get into the paint and make plays. [player_tooltip player_id='1164552' first='Kadyn' last='Turner-Scott'] is also a capable shooter and secondary scorer as well...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bandys</strong> is led by physical post presence [player_tooltip player_id='2093887' first='Landon' last='Vaughan'], who is almost averaging a double double on the year with 19.2 PPG and 9.5 RPG. [player_tooltip player_id='2173937' first='Micah' last='Slaughter'] has been a capable perimeter threat, and [player_tooltip player_id='2283885' first='Easton' last='Ledford'] runs the wing which gives this group great positional size....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Top Individuals</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominic Payne - 32.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.1 APG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1131339' first='Makel' last='Smith'] - 31.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 49 FG%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2235104' first='Kam' last='Mcknight'] - 19.6 PPG, 3.6 APG, 41 3PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2225868' first='Tripp' last='Mcmillen'] - 18.2 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.6 SPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2279853' first='Robert' last='Magner'] - 17.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->