2023 In Review – NCHSAA 4A 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 final edition of the series takes us to the 4A East class, with some good teams and talented individuals alike across the class. I'm excited to see who the final teams standing are here because there will be upsets galore during the tournament. Read below for the teams and players to monitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wilmington's Finest are Frontrunners</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Hanover</strong> is undefeated and sits on top of the strength rankings for the class on MaxPreps, as the Wildcats have put together a revamped rotation this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1220122' first='Rodmik' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220121' first='Zeus' last='Batts'] are still doing their thing in the backcourt, and Allen especially looks to be a dynamic player that should be getting college looks sooner than later. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1225663' first='CJ' last='Kornegay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2077345' first='Nolan' last='Billings'] are two of the impact transfers the team has added in the frontcourt, and [player_tooltip player_id='1638784' first='Parker' last='Crittenden'] is the perimeter sniper that moves well without the ball and knocking down wide open shots. They will play some tough conference games and still have some more fun non-conference contests left against private and public school opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Next Level Stars Highlight Contending Teams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millbrook and Richmond County have both played difficult schedules and been trying to get their feet under them as they head into conference play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>Millbrook</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1272558' first='Colt' last='Langdon'] is the star of the show, a rangy forward who torches the nets from deep but also is developing shot creation abilities to let him create and drive with the ball much more. He's averaging almost 29 PPG and been the head of the snake so far for the Wildcats. [player_tooltip player_id='1030027' first='Alex' last='Olander'] has become a great secondary option since his transfer from Ravenscroft, scoring over 14 PPG and playing well as a balanced scoring threat from multiple spots on the floor. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1785531' first='Brandon' last='Callahan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1761401' first='Kyrie' last='Heredia'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1062157' first='Jacob' last='Lawton'] have all been important as secondary scorers and defenders that will help push Millbrook as far as they can go. The 4A Northern conference doesn't have many easy games though, and their two matchups with Wakefield will be good viewing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For <strong>Richmond</strong>, they are starting to roll heading into conference play, led by outstanding scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1864068' first='Paul' last='McNeil']. He's got the ability to score it from truly anywhere on the floor, and is not afraid to make plays in crunch time with the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1457946' first='Braylon' last='Barfield'] has been coming on strong as a 6'8 forward, rebounding the ball well and making plays in open lanes in transition. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1154822' first='Jamarion' last='Wall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1163509' first='Javian' last='Drake'] are talented guards in their own right, and don't get as much respect because they play behind a guy who's a top 10 player in the state. Their schedule should be lighter from here on out, and expect them to be right back in the later rounds of the state tournament this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wakefield Will Be Plucky</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines will be another team to watch out for in the 4A Northern conference as they've started off the season strong. [player_tooltip player_id='1707193' first='Syncere' last='Burnette'] has been one of the best stockrising seniors in the state so far, really doing it all for his team. He's a true floor general that makes great passes, plays tough defense, and gets to the cup with regularity. It's a very veteran team otherwise, with guys like <strong>Taj-Boone Chambers</strong>, <strong>Tristan Pretlow</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1634643' first='Caleb' last='Hardy'] making impacts with their offense and floor spacing around Burnette. They'll look to expand on their 12-2 record and see how far Burnette can guide them the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Teams to Monitor </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green Level</strong> is another huge contender in the conference with a four headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='1667677' first='Isaac' last='Ericksen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1864256' first='Leon' last='Tye Cain III'], [player_tooltip player_id='1639282' first='Trey' last='Manhertz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1754423' first='Israel' last='Eatman']. Ericksen is a junior who should be getting looks from D1 coaches soon, while Cain is a scrappy point guard that should end up at a good D2/D3 this year... <strong>Clayton</strong> is 4-0 in conference play after getting great seasons from their bigs [player_tooltip player_id='1212902' first='Justice' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1365466' first='Andrew' last='Grimes']. Both are forces to be reckoned with on the interior, and are complemented by the guard tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='2199482' first='Ant' last='Walters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1673520' first='Jeremiah' last='Henson'] nicely... [player_tooltip player_id='1698954' first='Will' last='James Jr'] is taking a big time leap as a playmaker and shooter this year for <strong>Holly Springs</strong>. He's assisted by [player_tooltip player_id='1794170' first='Jake' last='Cackovic'], the UNC baseball commit on the interior... [player_tooltip player_id='1889492' first='Najai' last='Hines'] is an interior force to be reckoned with at <strong>South Garner</strong>, averaging a double double of 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2285809' first='Loddie' last='Leach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2285804' first='Jayden' last='Littles'] are good in the backcourt for them, and Littles has shown he can really shoot it from deep so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->