NCHSAA 3A Playoffs Region Finals Preview

Jay Anderson March 11, 2024 @ 11:00 AM

No. 2 Westover High comes into their matchup with No. 4 Seventy-First High in the NCHSAA 3A East Regional Finals with a 29-1 record, having won 23 straight games since their last loss on on Dec. 21. The Falcons are the Wolverines' lone loss on the season, as they fell 59-57 on the road back on Dec. 21. Westover did avenge that loss with a victory over Seventy-First, 70-59 at home on Jan. 24. Now their third meeting will be for a spot in the NCHSAA 3A State Championship Game as Fayetteville will be heavily represented.

Ari Fulton Ari Fulton 6'7" | SF Westover | 2024 State NC , Malachi Allen Malachi Allen 6'6" | SF Westover | 2024 State NC and Almare Josey Almare Josey 6'3" | SG Westover | 2024 State NC are a few of the names to know for the Wolverines. Allen has knocked down 41 total 3-pointers while Fulton is averaging 19.1 PPG on the season heading into Tuesday's game.

Seventy-First High enters their meeting with a 27-2 record on the year with losses to Westover and an early-season loss to Enloe under their belt. They've won 16-straight games including their victory on the road over No. 1 Swansboro, 72-65, this past Friday.

For the Falcons, Mylon Campbell Mylon Campbell 5'11" | CG Seventy-First | 2024 NC has largely been their spark with his exploits on both ends of the floor. He's shown he can go on scoring runs of his own with his ability to force quick steals to turn them into fast break points on the offensive end. He's producing 15.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.8 APG on the year. Deandre Nance Deandre Nance 6'3" | CG Seventy-First | 2025 State NC is another name to know for them as he's putting up 10.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 SPG and 2.0 APG on the season, according to MaxPreps.

NCHSAA 3A West Regional Finals : No. 1 Hickory vs. No. 2 Central Cabarrus | March 12 | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem | 8 PM

No. 2 Central Cabarrus remains unbeaten as they enter this year's Final Four with a 31-0 record. They've won 63-straight games and counting entering their matchup against No. 1 Hickory High. Ben L. Smith trailed by just eight points at the half against Central Cabarrus, 41-33, then the Vikings went on a big run in the third, outscoring them 24-10 in route to an 84-58 victory to punch their ticket to the West Regional Finals at Wake Forest on Tuesday at 8 PM.

Desmond Kent Jr Desmond Kent Jr 6'5" | SF Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC led the way for the Vikings with 31 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks as he continues to raise his profile in the frontcourt and on the wing. He was 13-of-20 from the field while Chase Daniel Chase Daniel 6'1" | PG Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC had 22 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. His brother, Carson Daniel Carson Daniel 6'1" | PG Central Cabarrus | 2024 State NC , putu up 12 points, 14 assists, six steals and four rebounds. They're a relentless group to face when firing on all cylinders. 2025 Emari Russell Emari Russell 5'10" | SG Central Cabarrus | 2025 NC also put up nine points and four steals as well.

Hickory High ran away with things against No. 4 Southern Guilford in the Regional Semifinals in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Storm 31-11 in the fourth quarter to take home an 82-55 victory. Five players finished scoring in double-figures for the Red Tornadoes as they showed off their all-around attack in the end. John Holbrook John Holbrook 6'8" | PF Hickory | 2024 State NC led the way with 19 points while 2025s Jay Powell Jay Powell 6'3" | SF Hickory | 2025 State NC (13 points) and Jamien Little Jamien Little 6'1" | SG Hickory | 2025 State NC (12) shored things up. Freshman Jordan Powell Jordan Powell 6'2" | CG Hickory | 2027 NC stepped up with 10 points as well. They've got a well-balanced attack led by big man John Holbrook John Holbrook 6'8" | PF Hickory | 2024 State NC that's proven successful for them as they're 31-0 heading into a pivotal meeting in the West Regional Finals against Central Cabarrus.