2025 BTW Holiday 252/919 Winter Classic Preview

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First Flight makes their return to the 252/919 Winter Classic looking to get a W in the column for the 252 side led by Mason Dobie Mason Dobie 6'2" | SG First Flight | 2025 State NC and his scoring exploits. Dobie comes into the game posting 33.5 points per game. He's knocked down 22 3-pointers already for the Nighthawks (4-5) including 11 makes in a 49-point performance in a victory over Hunt to start the season. He'll look to give Southern Wake all they can handle in their second year in the event.

Southern Wake Academy comes into the game with a balanced attack as three players come into the game averaging double-figures in scoring per game. Seung Surmons Seung Surmons 6'1" | CG Southern Wake Academy | 2025 State NC (18.6 ppg) leads the way while Ira Wilson Ira Wilson 6'7" | SF Southern Wake Academy | 2025 State NC (11.8 ppg) and Kobe Plata Kobe Plata 5'10" | PG Southern Wake Academy | 2027 State NC (11.8 ppg) are right behind him with identical scoring averages. Plata leads their playmaking efforts with 5.8 assists per game while Wilson leads the rebounding effort with 7.8 per game. Their trio will look to overwhelm the Nighthawks in their debut in the 252/919 Winter Classic.

Northeastern is the first squad from the 252 making their debut in Year 4. They'll look to hold their own against a returning squad in the Goldsboro Cougars. Tyell Saunders Tyell Saunders 6'2" | CG Northeastern | 2025 State NC , Jaylin Williams and EJ Sutton EJ Sutton 6'8" | PF Northeastern | 2025 State NC are a senior trio to know for them. Saunders is producing 28.0 points, 7.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game to lead the backcourt. Williams is right behind him with 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per contest. Sutton runs the painted area with 12.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as the Eagles are 4-0 on the year coming in.

Goldsboro will look to their backcourt of Nyrese Williams and Xavier White to hold serve for the 919 side. Maurice Tyler is one to know as well given his prowess shooting the ball on the perimeter. They're a well-coached group who should hold their own defensively but it will be interesting to see how their offense adjusts to the scrappy Northeastern defense.

In the third game of the afternoon, two more teams will make their debut for both sides as JH Rose takes on Southeast Raleigh. JH Rose has won four games in a row led by shifty guard Justin Grimes Justin Grimes 5'9" | PG JH Rose | 2025 State NC . He's a headache on both ends to watch as is emerging freshman Jaleek Parson Jaleek Parson 5'11" | PG/CG JH Rose | 2028 State NC given their exploits in the backcourt.

Southeast Raleigh is a scrappy bunch, especially on defense, led by Christian Ananaba Christian Ananaba 6'5" | SF Southeast Raleigh | 2025 State NC , Ethan Reid Ethan Reid 6'3" | CG Southeast Raleigh | 2025 State NC and Nas Gibbs. They're a long and athletic group who looks to speed up their opponent with their pressure defense while also attacking with pace on offense. It will be interesting to see how both teams matchup with each other at the 252/919 Winter Classic.

Garner makes their return for the 919 in their second outing while South Central makes their debut for the 252 side in the 2025 252/919 Winter Classic. Kashmere Murphy Kashmere Murphy 6'1" | CG South Central | 2026 NC and Isaiah Godley Isaiah Godley 6'4" | CG South Central | 2025 State NC are the leading names to know for the South Central Falcons. Murphy is producing 11.0 points per game while Godley is averaging 10.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest in the lineup. 2026 Tobia Moye Tobia Moye 5'9" | PG South Central | 2026 State NC is one to watch given he's dishing out 4.6 assists per game along with 6.0 points per contest.

Garner is another scrappy bunch defensively led by Cam Reyes Cam Reyes 6'1" | CG Garner | 2025 State NC , Kingston Beale Kingston Beale 6'4" | SF Garner Magnet | 2026 State NC , Geren Holmes Geren Holmes 6'5" | SF The Burlington School | 2027 State NC and Ghab Scott Ghab Scott 5'10" | PG Garner | 2025 State NC . Reyes tends to set the tone with his ability to navigate the defense and force turnovers with his length and athleticism. Holmes and Beale can get out and run on the break and look out for Scott too who's a crafty creator and defender. They'll look to keep their record perfect in the 252/919 Winter Classic with a win for their side.

This one certainly has a "Game of the Night" feel to it with top 2026 prospect Kobe Edwards Kobe Edwards 6'2" | PG Greenfield | 2026 State #105 Nation NC squaring off against Liberty pledge Andrew Grimes Andrew Grimes 6'8" | PF Clayton | 2025 State #307 Nation NC and the Clayton Comets. Both are returning teams who know just how competitive the atmosphere is at the 252/919 Winter Classic. Edwards comes in after strong performances at the John Wall Holiday Invitational looking to lead the way. Braxten DuBose Braxten DuBose 6'5" | PF Greenfield | 2028 State NC is the other name to watch for them in the frontcourt. 2028 Cam Moore is playing strong as well.

Grimes isn't the only name to know for the Comets. Darrion Ellis Darrion Ellis 6'5" | SF Word Of God | 2026 NC has come on strong in his return to the NCHSAA stage, posting 12.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as they're off to a 6-3 start. 2026 Khaleil Walters Khaleil Walters 6'6" | SF Clayton | 2026 State NC is an athletic prospect to get to know with them as well. He's averaging 9.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game coming into Saturday's matchup. They'll have their hands full in stopping a well-coached Greenfield School.

In the final game of the night, the hosts will square off with another team making their debut in the 252/919 Winter Classic in Northwood High. A number of Fab40 alums will collide from both sides with Chaise Smith Chaise Smith 6'2" | CG Washington | 2026 State NC leading Washington and Cameron Fowler Cameron Fowler 6'4" | CG Northwood | 2026 State NC and Chad Graves Chad Graves 6'8" | C Northwood | 2026 State NC on the Northwood side.

Northwood has won 10 games in a row since dropping their season opener to Green Level. Fowler leads the way with 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per contest with Graves behind him at 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per contest. Hayes Burleson has been their senior spark while their junior duo sets the tone in other ways. Fowler has shown he can fly around and do a little bit of everything to make his presence felt while Graves has been quite the anchor in the paint.

Smith has come on strong for Washington this season with 22.5 points, 6.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. The surprise has been the emergence of Jarryn Payne Jarryn Payne 6'5" | SF Washington | 2026 State NC . He'll look to have his talent on full display as he comes into putting up 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Then there's seniors Ja’von Williams Ja’von Williams 6'4" | CG Washington | 2025 State NC and Jacob Daniels Jacob Daniels 6'1" | SG/CG Washington | 2025 State NC , both serviceable scorers to deal with. All in all, it should be an entertaining final game of the 252/919 Winter Classic. See you on Saturday at Washington High!