2023 In Review – NCHSAA 4A East Edition
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
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 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.
Wilmington’s Finest are Frontrunners
New Hanover 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. Rodmik Allen Rodmik Allen 5'10" | PG New Hanover | 2025 State NC and Zeus Batts Zeus Batts 5'10" | PG New Hanover | 2025 State NC 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, CJ Kornegay CJ Kornegay 6'5" | SF New Hanover | 2025 State NC and Nolan Billings Nolan Billings 6'5" | PF New Hanover | 2025 State NC are two of the impact transfers the team has added in the frontcourt, and Parker Crittenden Parker Crittenden 6'3" | SG New Hanover | 2024 State NC 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.
Next Level Stars Highlight Contending Teams
Millbrook and Richmond County have both played difficult schedules and been trying to get their feet under them as they head into conference play.
For Millbrook, Colt Langdon Colt Langdon 6'7" | SG Millbrook | 2025 State #114 Nation NC 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. Alex Olander Alex Olander 6'4" | SF Millbrook | 2024 State NC 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 Brandon Callahan Brandon Callahan 6'3" | SG Millbrook | 2024 NC , Kyrie Heredia Kyrie Heredia 6'4" | SF Millbrook | 2024 State NC , and Jacob Lawton Jacob Lawton 5'8" | PG Millbrook | 2024 State NC 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.
For Richmond, they are starting to roll heading into conference play, led by outstanding scorer Paul 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. Braylon Barfield Braylon Barfield 6'7" | PF Richmond County | 2024 State NC has been coming on strong as a 6’8 forward, rebounding the ball well and making plays in open lanes in transition. Guys like Jamarion Wall Jamarion Wall 5'11" | PG Richmond County Senior | 2024 State NC and Javian Drake Javian Drake 5'10" | PG Richmond Senior | 2024 State NC 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.
Wakefield Will Be Plucky
The Wolverines will be another team to watch out for in the 4A Northern conference as they’ve started off the season strong. Syncere Burnette Syncere Burnette 6'2" | PG Wakefield | 2024 State NC 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 Taj-Boone Chambers, Tristan Pretlow and Caleb Hardy Caleb Hardy 5'11" | SG Wakefield | 2024 State NC 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.
Other Teams to Monitor
Green Level is another huge contender in the conference with a four headed monster of Isaac Ericksen Isaac Ericksen 6'8" | SF Green Level | 2025 State NC , Leon Tye Cain III Leon Tye Cain III 5'10" | PG Green Level | 2024 State NC , Trey Manhertz Trey Manhertz 6'6" | PF Green Level | 2024 State NC and Israel Eatman Israel Eatman 6'4" | CG Green Level | 2025 State NC . 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… Clayton is 4-0 in conference play after getting great seasons from their bigs Justice Mitchell Justice Mitchell 6'6" | SF Clayton | 2025 State NC and Andrew Grimes Andrew Grimes 6'8" | PF Clayton | 2025 State #307 Nation NC . Both are forces to be reckoned with on the interior, and are complemented by the guard tandem of Ant Walters Ant Walters 5'8" | PG Clayton | 2024 State NC and Jeremiah Henson Jeremiah Henson 6'0" | SG Clayton | 2025 State NC nicely… Will James Jr Will James Jr 6'4" | SG Holly Springs | 2025 State NC is taking a big time leap as a playmaker and shooter this year for Holly Springs. He’s assisted by Jake Cackovic Jake Cackovic 6'7" | C Holly Springs | 2025 State NC , the UNC baseball commit on the interior… Najai Hines Najai Hines 6'9" | C South Garner | 2025 State NC is an interior force to be reckoned with at South Garner, averaging a double double of 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. Guys like Loddie Leach Loddie Leach 5'9" | PG South Garner | 2025 NC and Jayden Littles Jayden Littles 6'3" | SG South Garner | 2025 NC are good in the backcourt for them, and Littles has shown he can really shoot it from deep so far.