NCHSAA 4A: Opening Round Bracket Busters

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The first round of the 4A 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 early second round matchups to keep on your radar.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get&nbsp;30% OFF payment&nbsp;on your first billing cycle with offer code:&nbsp;<strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knightdale High went and got it done on the road as No. 17 took down No. 16 Hillside High on the road, 49-38, to open this year's playoffs. The Knights have had their fair share of growing pains this season in the CAP6 Conference and they look poised to turn a corner with their opening round victory. Knightdale will visit New Hanover High in the second round on Friday after their 73-31 victory over Northern Durham. Jason Dickerson, [player_tooltip player_id='2289353' first='Isaiah' last='Green'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2283174' first='Brandon' last='Adams'] aren't going home without a battle under first-year head coach Antonio Watson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 24 seed Sanderson High went into No. 9 seeded New Bern High and ended their season early with an impressive 75-69 victory. [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] is another prospect in the 919 area who looks poised to lead the Spartans in this year's playoffs. Sanderson will face No. 8 Lumberton on the road on Friday as they look to keep the momentum going. They're another well-coached group who could make a deep run in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 19 Butler High got a big boost on Tuesday night from unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1591916' first='Tyler' last='Showalter'] as they punched their ticket to the second round with a 64-59 road victory over Hickory Ridge. Showalter is ready to show college programs he's ready to make the next step, finishing with 22.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 2.0 BPG as an emerging wing to get to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 20 seeded Mooresville High took down No. 16 West Forsyth 66-62 on the road to punch their ticket to the second round. They'll face No. 4 seed Mount Tabor on Friday following 18 points from 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2362523' first='Eian' last='Bailey'] and 14 points from 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2302436' first='Jalen' last='Chambers']. Bailey is having quite a productive sophomore campaign for the Blue Devils as they look to keep their season alive on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 27 Marvin Ridge is the final double-digit seeded squad to defeat a top seed as they took down No. 6 McDowell High 62-47 in the opening round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs. The Mavericks outscored the Titans 18-9 in the third quarter to edge them out in the end. [player_tooltip player_id='1743058' first='Cinjun' last='Bridges'], Josh Clark and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2175566' first='Brady' last='Dunn'] aren't ready to call it a season just yet with a chance to pull off another upset on Friday night against JL Chambers High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The second round in the NCHSAA 4A ranks sets up some intriguing matchups. Take a look at 7 games PH will keep a close eye on this Friday:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 24 Sanderson @ No. 8 Lumberton</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 12 Panther Creek @ No. 5 Chapel Hill</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 13 Clayton @ No. 4 Millbrook</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 14 Wakefield @ No. 3 Green Level</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 27 Marvin Ridge @ No. 11 JL Chambers</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 9 Independence @ No. 8 Watauga</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 16 Ardrey Kell @ No. 1 Myers Park</h4> <!-- /wp:heading -->