2023 In Review – NCHSAA 3A 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 3A West class, with one of the best squads in the entire country, as well as some talented players and teams that will make noise. Read below for some of the top teams and players in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Central Cabarrus In Line For a Repeat</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know a lot about <strong>Central Cabarrus</strong> at this point, but it's not a complete preview if we don't break down how the team that hasn't lost in 45 games functions. It all runs through the twins, [player_tooltip player_id='1154633' first='Chase' last='Daniel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1158774' first='Carson' last='Daniel'], who facilitate and play outstanding defense at the guard spots. The two don't look to score every game but have shown they can when they play tough opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='1743939' first='Desmond' last='Kent Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2213545' first='Joshua' last='Dalton'], who are both not afraid to score and protect the paint on their own. They both have great length and should be priority targets for next level programs. [player_tooltip player_id='2319811' first='Emari' last='Russell'] is the fifth starter who also does a lot of the things the Daniel twins do in a similar frame. They will probably run the table all things considered, but will get their opponent's best shot night in and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Triad Teams In Contending Pack</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben L Smith</strong> and Southern Guilford are two teams in the Mid-State conference that are both 11-1, and on a collision course next Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Golden Eagles, [player_tooltip player_id='1947989' first='Gage' last='Lattimore'] is a senior captain who shoots the ball very well from behind the arc, and has been a very important part of the team with the ball in his hands. However, the main scorer has been [player_tooltip player_id='1786703' first='Jaylon' last='Bumpass'], who has made some clutch buckets and been a vital factor in the team winning the HAECO Invitational. Kenny Miller has also been an interesting athletic guard prospect to keep in mind for college coaches. Conference play remains, and there are some talented teams and players in the conference that will need to be dealt with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Guilford</strong> has a dynamic trio that leads them in everything they do, consisting of [player_tooltip player_id='2043250' first='Jyi' last='Dawkins'], Jucquarie Love, and [player_tooltip player_id='1273255' first='Jamias' last='Ferere']. Dawkins plays the wing/undersized forward slot and is a lefty that has a physical, crafty game for him to get downhill and attack the basket, as he averages over 20 PPG. Love is averaging 18 PPG and over a block and a half every game, with some extreme athleticism and explosiveness on his frame on the wing. Ferere is the leader of the guard with the ball in his hands, averaging 4.3 APG and over 17 PPG, showcasing why he can be a next level guard somewhere as either a scorer or a tempo pushing playmaker. They'll play Smith twice more and take on a similar conference slate, and will look to repeat as champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Big South Conference Home to Two Contenders</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook and Kings Mountain have been off to surprisingly good starts to the year, looking like they'll be contenders in the entire division as well as the two top teams in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>Ashbrook</strong>, Isaac Byers Jr is an electric scorer who averages over 20 PPG, and chips in everywhere with almost 6 APG and RPG. He can shoot the three, make plays for others, and flat out take over games as a high usage PG. [player_tooltip player_id='2301225' first='Jamari' last='Smith'] is a similar talented scoring guard, and [player_tooltip player_id='2301223' first='Jamarion' last='Patton'] plays well around the rim and as a bigger forward with his rebounding and interior defense ability. The Greenwave only recently picked up their first loss in a tight game against North Lincoln, but will be tested in conference play some nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kings Mountain</strong> will provide some of those tests, behind a top 2026 guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1672479' first='Bradley' last='Floyd']. He's got length, athleticism and an ability to handle the ball that is rare at his age and size. He's tracking to be a bonafide D1 prospect. Alongside him is [player_tooltip player_id='2301226' first='Caleb' last='Nixon'], a strong freshman who rebounds the basketball and shoots it very well from deep, and [player_tooltip player_id='1907234' first='Tucker' last='Robinette'] does a lot of the same in regards to outside shooting. Floyd is able to create and find those two when he can't score it himself. The Mountaineers have lost to Ashbrook, East Lincoln and Weddington, and will have a similarly tough conference schedule. The two teams will face off one more time January 30th at Ashbrook.</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='1976852' first='Jerquarius' last='Steinback'] is an under the radar name that has committed to App State, and once again is putting up gaudy numbers for <strong>Asheboro</strong>. He's averaging 24.4 PPG and 12.2 RPG as a bouncy, explosive forward who does great things around the rim on both ends... [player_tooltip player_id='1892438' first='Jackson' last='Fannon'] is averaging over 22 PPG and has made 42 threes across 11 games this season for <strong>East Lincoln</strong>, and is a stretch forward that would be a great fit at the college level. He shoots it extremely well and can match up at multiple positions... <strong>Hickory</strong> is undefeated and going to be a force to be reckoned with in states this year. A grouping of [player_tooltip player_id='1743968' first='Jamien' last='Little'], [player_tooltip player_id='1743967' first='Jay' last='Powell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1743964' first='John' last='Holbrook'] brings elite size and physicality to the table... [player_tooltip player_id='1909355' first='Loucas' last='Shoaf'] has stepped up and been great as a leader and scorer for Oak Grove so far this year. He's averaging 17.7 PPG and made 25 threes, continuing his tear from a great grassroots season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->