Around the State: 3A Mid-State Conference 2024-25 Preview

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The 3A Mid-State Conference should have some of the best talent in the 336 and surrounding areas on full display in 2024-25. Take a look at the conference preview for the season.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE<strong> anderson30</strong> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION!</em> <a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe">Subscribe</a> today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3A Mid-State Conference will be far from a top-heavy conference with movement out of Southern Guilford High giving a few others a leg up this season. Take a look at the early contenders in the Mid-State Conference!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ben L. Smith </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben L. Smith will look to peak at the right time as they always do when the NCHSAA State Playoffs arrive. They'll take on Southern Guilford's [player_tooltip player_id='2043250' first='Jyi' last='Dawkins'] in their rotation, giving them quite the edge heading into the year. Tayshawn Mann and Dawkins should be a top backcourt duo in the NCHSAA 3A ranks this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2633043' first='Kenny' last='Miller Jr'] is another bouncy prospect to know with them as is 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2175500' first='Gavin' last='Palmore'], who's shown flashes of his ability to produce with consistency. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dudley </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dudley is a scrappy bunch led by 2026 sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2055662' first='CJ' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1225662' first='Jerron' last='Blackwell'] and CJ Neely in the rotation looking to prove themselves. Jones led the team in scoring last season with 19.3 points per contest on 66 made 3-pointers as a sophomore. Blackwell and Neely are two strong-framed guards who can fly around and defend as well. Blackwell put up 14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. They'll look to compete for the top spot in the conference after going 11-4 in 2023-24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Southern Guilford</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Storm went unbeaten in the Mid-State Conference in 2023-24, going 16-0 but they'll need to rebuild with a lot of losses on the horizon. [player_tooltip player_id='2382804' first='Josiah' last='Hill'] should contribute on varsity this season and [player_tooltip player_id='1808845' first='Amari' last='Robinson'] is also back, giving them a solid core to work with in the backcourt. Don't be surprised if a surprise team emerges in the late stages in the conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->