2023 In Review – NCHSAA 3A 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 3A East class, with a lot of teams in contention for the title and no real favorites. However, there's plenty of talent to keep eyes on, and there will be plenty of upsets in the tournament. Read below for the teams and players to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">This Is Swansboro's Best Team... Ever?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Swansboro</strong> is off to a hot 11-1 start right now and are shaping up to be near the top of the bracket if things ended today. It's a dual threat at the guard spots for this team, as [player_tooltip player_id='1990376' first='Jonah' last='Holt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Jermaine' last='Cunningham'] have been tearing it up for the Pirates so far. Cunningham plays with the ball in his hands and distributes well with quickness and vision, but can score it too. Holt primarily plays the off ball guard spot, rebounds it well and shoots it at a high clip. [player_tooltip player_id='1990377' first='Tay' last='Tangiora'] is a rangy forward who I saw in grassroots this summer, and he patrols the paint, attacks the rebounding battle all the time and runs the floor very hard in transition. This group has more talent than most, and could be in line for a special year. Their only setback was a tight loss to Laney, and will have some interesting conference battles with schools like Croatan and White Oak over the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fayetteville Teams In the Mix</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seventy-First</strong> graduated many seniors and talent last year, but they've gotten off to a hot 7-1 start. [player_tooltip player_id='2316265' first='Mylon' last='Campbell'] has taken a big step up and is averaging almost 19 PPG and can make shots from inside and out. He's a great free throw shooter and foul drawer, and has shown he'll stick his nose in on the glass as well. Guys like <strong>Noah Staples</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2375873' first='Jacquez' last='Foster']</strong> have been contributors to note, but it's been a very balanced effort outside of Campbell, with 7 or 8 guys all capable of making impact plays and being a supporting cast member on the night. They'll be going through plenty of tough road games and conference nights in January, so we'll see if their start is just luck or whether they're a real contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westover </strong>has the best individual talent from Fayetteville currently in [player_tooltip player_id='1076361' first='Ari' last='Fulton'], the NJIT commit. He's averaging over 20 PPG and 10 RPG as a long, physical wing that really knows how to make an impact on the defensive end. On O he likes to get to the rim, but has shown he'll step out and shoot the deep ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1448651' first='Almare' last='Josey'] brings the scoring combo guard element to this group, as he averages 13 PPG and takes plenty of shots night in and out. They also have a deep supporting cast, guys who play good defense, score in spurts, and help spread the floor for Fulton and Josey. They'll play a tough schedule and still have some non-conference matchups with Trinity Christian and Northern Nash next weekend to look forward to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Only Undefeated Team Left Is In Winterville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winterville's own <strong>South Central</strong> High is 8-0, and it's been a balanced effort so far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2319843' first='Ean' last='Behm']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2319849' first='Troy' last='Loftin']</strong> have both averaged over 12 PPG as talented scorers. They put the ball in play around the basket, but have made it clear they can step out and hit the three pointer when they need to. [player_tooltip player_id='1220128' first='Isaiah' last='Godley'] is a similar player to those two, dynamic at getting to the basket as well as rebounding the basketball at a high clip. They will have contests against Northeastern and Wayne Country Day to finish out non-conference play, but a conference slate that includes some teams that are down this year will have them confident in themselves headed into the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Monitor</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orange</strong> is starting to pick things up with [player_tooltip player_id='1281015' first='Cole' last='Cloer'] back in the rotation. They are 5-10, but the combination of him, [player_tooltip player_id='1682372' first='Kai' last='Wade'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1725012' first='Ryan' last='Honeycutt'] provide a trio that can compete with a lot of teams night in and night out... [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] is one of the top talents in the entire state, which provides <strong>Southern Durham</strong> with an advantage headed into the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='1454624' first='Camren' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1117525' first='Javier' last='Ortiz'] provide legitimate size on the wing which gives the Spartans a chance... <strong>Northern Nash</strong> has a unique blend of talent in their top trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1154635' first='Randall' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='2044045' first='Izeal' last='Mallory'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1948021' first='CJ' last='Rosser']. Rosser is a big stretch forward, while King and Mallory are both physical players that pound the paint with their strength and finishing... [player_tooltip player_id='1220133' first='Mason' last='Dobie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1693993' first='Kaleb' last='Spencer'] are two interesting prospects for <strong>First Flight</strong>. Dobie is a sniper from downtown while Spencer is a mandatory forward prospect for coaches to get eyes on with his strength and interior play...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->