NCHSAA 3A: Opening Round Bracket Busters
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The first round of the 3A NCHSAA State Playoffs tipped off on Tuesday night across the state. Take a look at some early upsets in the opening round and take a look at some second round matchups to keep on…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the 3A NCHSAA State Playoffs tipped off on Tuesday night across the state. Take a look at some early upsets in the opening round and take a look at some second round matchups to keep on your radar.
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No. 20 seed JM Robinson went into hostile territory against No. 13 West Henderson and took home a convincing 68-52 victory. It was a solid matchup of top teams in the state as both teams came into the game with identical 18-8 records. 2024 Londen Roseman, 2025 Brian Rowe Brian Rowe 6'0" | CG JM Robinson | 2025 State NC and 2026 Tre Harlee Tre Harlee 6'5" | PF JM Robinson | 2026 State NC are a few names to get to know with their group.
No. 22 Northwest Cabarrus ended No. 11 Kings Mountain’s season a few rounds earlier than expected with a 75-71 victory. Northwest Cabarrus has been led this season by 2024 Jordan Gonder Jordan Gonder 6'4" | SF Northwest Cabarrus | 2024 State NC and juniors Landon Rowe and Anderson Lee Anderson Lee 6'1" | CG Northwest Cabarrus | 2025 State NC as they look to pull off another upset in Round 2. They’ll face No. 6 East Henderson on Friday night.
No. 17 JH Rose defeated No. 16 Triton in convincing fashion 74-50 as juniors Justin Grimes Justin Grimes 5'8" | PG JH Rose | 2025 State NC and Malachi Green Malachi Green 6'1" | CG JH Rose | 2025 State NC continue to lead their backcourt. They look poised to turn heads with their abilities to impact both ends of the ball with a matchup looming against No. 1 Swansboro.
While there weren’t as many upsets in the NCHSAA 3A ranks, there were some close finishes. The First Flight Nighthawks escaped at home against EE Smith 77-67. They’ll travel to No. 8 North Brunswick on Friday night. Hunt High got 65-63 victory over Eastern Alamance as their young group got their first taste of the NCHSAA Playoffs in the opening round. Drew Pittman Drew Pittman 6'3" | SG Hunt | 2024 State NC and sophomore Austin Joyner Austin Joyner NC will get all they can handle in the second round against No. 2 Westover.
No. 10 seed Asheboro got a 72-70 victory over No. 23 Carson as App State commit Jerquarius Stanback Jerquarius Stanback 6'6" | SF Asheboro | 2024 State NC looks to go out with a bang before heading to the next level. They’ll have another tough squad on their hands this Friday when they face No. 7 A.C. Reynolds. They defeated North Davidson 62-40 in the opening round.
No. 8 Piedmont escaped in the first round with a 66-65 victory over No. 25 East Lincoln. Things are sure to heat up as they face No. 9 Freedom in the second round. They were a surprise out of the 2A/3A Rocky River Conference as they ran the tables at 11-1. They could emerge as a dark horse in this year’s field led by 2025 Miles Leaks Miles Leaks 6'0" | SG Piedmont | 2025 State NC , 2024 Fred Little and 2026 Brian Little Brian Little 6'4" | PF Piedmont | 2026 State NC .