The 919’s Top Area Sophomores This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With many sophomores, it's interesting to see whether they can make the sophomore jump, or fall into a sophomore slump. In the Raleigh area, we've seen plenty of guys accomplish the former, and make big leaps to where they should be legitimate college prospects to monitor. Read below for half a dozen guys who have made waves as 2026s in the Raleigh metro area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1907230"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Smalls finished up football season and joined the team late this season, but has wasted no time in making an impact on his Cardinal Gibbons backcourt. He's averaging over 18 PPG and posting pretty similar stats outside of points than what he did last year. He's a capable shotmaker, getting downhill and hitting the mid-range pull up with ease. Also a very good passer on the move, with good vision and an ability to fire fling passes in traffic for open teammates.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1281019"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1281019' first='Beckett' last='Coon'] has become a great scoring presence in the Wake Christian backcourt along with his brother Berkley, and continues to show why he's a name to monitor. While averaging 17.8 PPG and 3.1 APG, he's knocked down 65 threes on the season, showcasing his ability as a marksman. He's got a quick release and an ability to make shots off the bounce just as well as off the catch. Still working on putting on muscle on his frame and bulking up, but is a name to watch in the private school ranks for his shooting.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2516817' first='Hayes' last='Lewis']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Franklin Academy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Lewis is a name that continues to produce for Franklin Academy, with  a stat line of 15.8 PPG and 9.2 RPG impressive for a guard who's only 6 foot tall. He shows an extraordinary hustle and effort to attack the glass on both ends. While he's selective with shooting the deep ball over the course of the game, he's been efficient, shooting over 50% for the entire year. I like what he brings to the floor in terms of his energy, toughness, and willing to do the dirty work that wouldn't necessarily be asked of him at his position.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1672425"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Farrow and Kamaree Butler has formed a dynamic duo in the Lee County rotation, and I've liked how Farrow has done so far, averaging 15 points per game and over 4 rebounds as well. He's a good downhill driver that really knows how to get to the free throw line and draw fouls, shooting 55 free throws in 14 games. His ability to score and his athleticism is beyond what most average high schoolers have, and it's showing in his stat lines this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2326899"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Watkins is a name people need to get eyes on soon as he is rapidly rising in terms of guys to watch in the area. The 6'5 forward is averaging 13 PPG and 7.5 RPG on the season, as well as 29 blocks on the year. He alters shots at the rim by either blocking them or causing enough disruption to get the defender to miss, then corralling the rebound in order to get his team out and running in transition. A solid finisher around the basket, he's good at handling dump off passes and laying them in.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1682372"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Wade is a shifty combo guard who has been making noise alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1281015' first='Cole' last='Cloer'] for Orange HS this season. He's averaging 12.6 PPG and 4.4 APG acting as the primary ball handler and initiator for this team. He sets his teammates up well, but he's just as impressive creating for himself with the ball in his hands. With great lateral athleticism and an ability to quickly accelerate past defenders, it's hard to keep Wade from attacking downhill and picking apart defenses.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ac2c0b720ac"} /-->