2023 In Review – NCHSAA 3A West Edition
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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…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Central Cabarrus In Line For a Repeat
We all know a lot about Central Cabarrus 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, Chase Daniel Chase Daniel 6'1" | PG Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC and Carson Daniel Carson Daniel 6'1" | PG Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC , 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. Desmond Kent Jr Desmond Kent Jr 6'5" | SF Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC and Joshua Dalton Joshua Dalton 6'9" | PF NC , 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. Emari Russell Emari Russell 5'10" | SG Central Cabarrus | 2025 State NC 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.
Triad Teams In Contending Pack
Ben L Smith and Southern Guilford are two teams in the Mid-State conference that are both 11-1, and on a collision course next Tuesday.
For the Golden Eagles, Gage Lattimore Gage Lattimore 6'2" | CG Ben L. Smith | 2024 State NC 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 Jaylon Bumpass Jaylon Bumpass 6'2" | CG Ben L. Smith | 2024 State NC , 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.
Southern Guilford has a dynamic trio that leads them in everything they do, consisting of Jyi Dawkins Jyi Dawkins 6'3" | SG Southern Guilford | 2026 State NC , Jucquarie Love, and Jamias Ferere Jamias Ferere 6'5" | SF Southern Guilford | 2024 State NC . 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.
Big South Conference Home to Two Contenders
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.
For Ashbrook, 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. Jamari Smith Jamari Smith 6'1" | CG Ashbrook | 2025 NC is a similar talented scoring guard, and Jamarion Patton Jamarion Patton 6'3" | SF Ashbrook | 2025 NC 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.
Kings Mountain will provide some of those tests, behind a top 2026 guard in Bradley Floyd Bradley Floyd 6'5" | CG Kings Mountain | 2026 State NC . 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 Caleb Nixon Caleb Nixon 6'3" | SG Kings Mountain | 2027 State NC , a strong freshman who rebounds the basketball and shoots it very well from deep, and Tucker Robinette Tucker Robinette 5'8" | CG Kings Mountain | 2026 State NC 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.
Other Teams to Monitor
Jerquarius Stanback Jerquarius Stanback 6'6" | SF Asheboro | 2024 State NC is an under the radar name that has committed to App State, and once again is putting up gaudy numbers for Asheboro. 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… Jackson Fannon Jackson Fannon 6'7" | PF East Lincoln | 2025 State NC is averaging over 22 PPG and has made 42 threes across 11 games this season for East Lincoln, 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… Hickory is undefeated and going to be a force to be reckoned with in states this year. A grouping of Jamien Little Jamien Little 6'1" | SG Hickory | 2025 State NC , Jay Powell Jay Powell 6'3" | SF Hickory | 2025 State NC , and John Holbrook John Holbrook 6'8" | PF Hickory | 2024 State NC brings elite size and physicality to the table… Loucas Shoaf Loucas Shoaf 5'10" | CG Oak Grove | 2025 State NC 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…