NCHSAA: 2024-2025 Dark Horse Watchlist

Last week, we covered the NCISAA, home to some of the most prominent prospects and programs in North Carolina. Today, let's turn our attention to the NCHSAA, an overlooked, underrated association that brings up big-time players. The 2023-2024 season ended with four teams crowned as their class state champion. The 2024-2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Let's meet four programs, one from each class, that are dark horses to bring a state championship back to their hometown.   1A: Bishop McGuinness   Located in the heart of Kernersville, N.C., the largest suburb of Winston Salem, Bishop McGuinness is a household name in North Carolina's triad region.The Villains finished the 2023-2024 regular season 24-3, 19-0 in conference, and earned the #3 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA playoff bracket. A clean sweep up until the quarterfinals, Bishop McGuinness' season ended with a 63-58 loss against #2 seed Corvian Community. With an older, more experienced Villains squad with a bad taste in their mouth from 2024, expect them to enter this season with championship aspirations, anchored by twin brothers and rising seniors Patrick and [player_tooltip player_id='1372455' first='Nicholas' last='Graves'].    [player_tooltip player_id='1372465' first='Patrick' last='Graves'] is a guy I've had my eye on for a while now. A rising senior at Bishop McGuinness and seasoned grassroots player with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'], Graves is a big-time prospect who has steadily climbed up our rankings. At 6'1”, Graves is a strong, physical guard who utilizes his athleticism to make plays on and off the ball. He's an elite ball handler who's got an intangible feel for attacking the basket with explosiveness and poise. Graves is a consistent mid-range shooter who has significantly improved his three-point percentage. He's a versatile combo guard who excels running the point and playing off the ball as well.      Clocking in at #112 is Patrick's twin brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1372455' first='Nicholas' last='Graves']. Like his brother, Nick stands at 6'1”, and is an athletic combo guard who is an elite scorer and high IQ guy. He's a knockdown three-point shooter who knows how to find his spots on and off the ball. Graves is active off the ball and is constantly scanning the court for back door cuts and pin downs to curl off of and get up a good shot. What is most impressive with his game is his shot selection. Despite being one of the best three-point shooters in his class, Graves is patient with his shot and has puts up quality looks whenever he can.    2A: North Surry   North Surry, located in Mount Airy, N.C., about 30 minutes north of Winston Salem, is another staple program just outside the triad region. The Greyhounds exceeded expectations in 2023-2204, finishing the regular season 19-7, earning the #7 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA playoff bracket. North Surry was thankful to get by their first round matchup against #25 seed North Wilkes with a 1-point win that felt like it could have gone either way. There's no doubt their confidence was shook after facing the near upset as the Greyhounds fell to #22 seed Bandys in a 68-66 loss. It's safe to say North Surry underperformed in the postseason in 2024, and with two key players returning next season, they'll look to right that wrong. Senior's Kam McKnight and [player_tooltip player_id='1837063' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] will help them make a deeper run next March.    Kam McKnight was North Surry's go-to-guy in 2023-2024. A 6'1” combo guard who shoots 40% from three, McKnight is one of the most underrated prospects in the class of 2025. McKnight is a crafty scorer who shoots the ball well off the dribble and off the ball. He's got a quick first step that allows him to attack the basket when he's pressured  around the perimeter. McKnight is currently ranked #194, but a standout senior season with North Surry paired with a deeper run in the state playoffs could elevate his stock tremendously.     [player_tooltip player_id='1837063' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] is the Dennis Rodman of this North Surry team. This is a guy who excels in his role as an elite rebounder, defender, and facilitator. Williams' presence provides an energy that is contagious to the other guys he shares the court with. He's a competitive, physical wing who loves to get to work in the paint and get after it down low. Williams does a nice job rebounding and pushing the break to facilitate easy buckets in transition. He's got impressive footwork for a player of his caliber who takes advantage of his quickness for quick-two's around the block. While he's not an elite three-level scorer like some of his teammates, Williams is the glue that holds this team together. He takes pride in doing the dirty work and is a high-motor kid who loves to compete.    3A: Ben L. Smith   Ben. L Smith in Greensboro, N.C., the 14 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA playoffs, found their stride in the postseason and made a somewhat unexpected appearance in the quarterfinals of the tournament in 2024. The Golden Eagles are returning the bulk of their roster from last season and expect to be back competing with the big boys to bring a championship home to Greensboro. Tayshawn Mann and Micah Cowan will be crucial for their championship pursuit.    I'm glad I have another opportunity to talk about senior guard Tayshawn Mann. This is a guy I covered extensively last year and have seen develop into a mature, versatile, high IQ prospect with some serious upside. The first thing you notice about Mann is his physical presence. At 6'3”, he's a well-sized guard who is long and athletic. Mann excels in the open court, utilizing his speed and quick decision making to create efficient fast break offense. He's got exceptional footwork for a prospect his size and finishes at the rim through contact. Mann is a tough defender who's got the stamina and competitiveness to lock-down opposing teams' best shooters. An area for growth in his game is developing a more consistent three-point shot. I've seen him become better at this with time. If he can lock in on getting more reps with outside shooting, I have no doubt he can creep his way into the conversation of some of the best guards in the state.     Micah Cowan is a guy not a ton of people have on their radar at this moment. He's a guard who's flown under the radar and has been in the shadows of big-time prospects, like Mann, who soak up most of the spotlight. Despite this, Cowan has kept his head down and continued working. It's nice to see him getting more recognition. This guy deserves it. Micah Cowan is an explosive point guard who is an elite ball handler and distributor. He's a gifted athlete who uses his speed on defense to create turnovers and grab steals. He's a floor general who makes good decisions with the basketball. I'd like to see Cowan put on a bit more weight this summer so he feels more confident attacking the basket and getting up contested shots. Keep your eye on Micah Cowan for Ben L. Smith in 2024-2025.    4A: Grimsley   Staying in Greensboro, Grimsley is another top program in the triad region that consistently shows up in the NCHSAA playoffs. The Whirlies finished the regular season 21-5, earning the #7 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA playoffs. A tough matchup against #2 seed Lake Norman ended Grimsley's playoff picture.    A dual-athlete, Bryce Davis splits his time between the gridiron and hardwood and is an important part of Grimsley's athletic department. At 6'5”, Davis' physical presence is extremely valuable on both ends of the floor. He's a competitor on the glass and uses his frame to his advantage on offense. Davis excels in his role as a defensive rebounder and is a reliable scorer when his time needs him to step up. I like Bryce Davis to step up this season and play an even bigger role for a Grimsley team that would like to get back to championship contention.     Anderson Wyatt is an under the radar guard who is expected to have a bigger role in Grimsley's back court this season. He's a sharp shooter who is becoming more of a versatile scorer with a notable mid-range game developing. Wyatt is a gifted ball handler and facilitator and excels in his role as a shot making guard who has a nice feel for the game. I expect Anderson Wyatt to be in more conversations in 2024-2025 as he sees a larger role on the court next season.

Last week, we covered the NCISAA, home to some of the most prominent prospects and programs in North Carolina. Today, let's turn our attention to the NCHSAA, an overlooked, underrated association that brings up big-time players. The 2023-2024 season ended with four teams crowned as their class state champion. The 2024-2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Let's meet four programs, one from each class, that are dark horses to bring a state championship back to their hometown.