Small School Standouts – 2A Scorers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While much of the spotlight in HS basketball is shined on the big schools and the prep schools with talented players, we don't give the small town guys enough credit. 1A and 2A schools from underrepresented regions of the state have talented players, and this end of season wrap up series intends to highlight those. Check out some of the best scorers from this season from the 2A schools below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2314362"],"_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":"Payne is a stockriser that we've gotten more familiar with this season at Trinity High in the 336 area, and he's been the engine that powers them all season long. Averaging over 30 PPG while knocking down shots at multiple levels of the floor, and really showing off an advanced ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line. He will have a chance to prove himself in the state championships as his team takes on Hendersonville Tuesday night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1131339"],"_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":"Smith has continued to torch the nets in the way we're familiar with, as the senior is averaging 30.1 points per game on the season. He's a smooth combo guard who can make plays for others, but has mostly looked to get his own buckets the entire season. He does it in a variety of ways, including pouring in over 3 threes a game. He'll look to vanquish conference foes West Stokes in the first round of the state playoffs this week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1990406"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Pop Petty has made a splash in the western part of the state this year, as the 2025 is up to 25.5 PPG as a ridiculous three level scoring threat. He can attack the rim and get up there even though he's not always the biggest dude on the court, as well as drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. 185 foul shots over the season is an absurd number, and it shows how much pressure he puts on the rim. He should be a target for regional school as he plays with NLPB this summer.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1165176"],"_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":"Freeman continues to impress at North Johnston, leading the 2A East in scoring at 25.8 PPG. What's better, his 55/46/83 stat line is incredibly efficient and he's doing that on high volume. He's got a really interesting, fundamental game where he can get to his spots around the rim, the post, and on the perimeter. Even though he's not the biggest guy, he can be more physical than opposing defenders and getting to his spots to score.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2137153"],"_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":"Crite is the only wing on the list, but still has been able to average 22.6 PPG, mostly coming from inside the arc. He's more physical than everyone on the court, and it doesn't hurt he has a size advantage too. He makes his living hitting tough shots in the interior and the mid-range, looking to take guys off the dribble or from a closeout. He'll be able to keep his team in many games due to his ability to just go get a bucket, and he'll continue to do that on Tuesday in the first round of the state championship.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d962b3aec26"} /-->