NCHSAA Playoffs Elite Eight Preview: 1A & 2A Breakdowns

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the preview for the NCHSAA Playoffs Elite Eight in the 1A &amp; 2A ranks which take place on Friday evening!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em>&nbsp;anderson30</em></strong><em>&nbsp;for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!</em><a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30">&nbsp;Subscribe</a>&nbsp;today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4 Voyager Academy @ 1 Washington County</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers won running away in Round 3 against 8-seed Lejeune, 73-54, behind big games once again from [player_tooltip player_id='2311776' first='Brandon' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2044110' first='Christian' last='Phelps']. The first and third quarters remain their biggest statement makers as they outscored the Devil Pups 20-10 in the first and 18-6 in the third quarter. They'll look to keep things going against Voyager Academy in the final home game of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2525682' first='Alex' last='Wilder'] exploded for 19 points on five made 3-pointers as the Vikings won big 76-53. Things were close at the half though, with the Guardians trailing 35-27, but the Vikings would change things in the third with a 20-7 outburst to increase the deficit in their favor. Look for the third quarter to play a big role for either side on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 Northampton County @ 2 Southern Wake Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch from last year's second round meeting that saw SWA take home a close victory, 76-73. This year, the stakes are a bit higher with a spot in this year's 1A East Region Finals on the line. Jeremiah Gholson, [player_tooltip player_id='1226601' first='Jiyoun' last='Williams'] and Torrey Harris combined for 50 of their 65 points in their victory over Bertie in Round 3. Their trio of scorers will look to take home a victory on the road on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SWA is fresh off a 77-64 victory over Chatham Central. [player_tooltip player_id='1262468' first='Ira' last='Wilson'] played big as did [player_tooltip player_id='2123684' first='Se' last='Surmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1797957' first='Kobe' last='Plata'] as they keep the deficit big throughout. The Lions have yet to lose a home game this season and will look to keep that going against Northampton County in Round 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5 Corvian Community @ 1 Bishop McGuinness</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop McGuinness looks like an early favorite to win yet another state championship. Kenyon College commit [player_tooltip player_id='1372455' first='Nicholas' last='Graves'] is playing some of his best basketball and fresh off a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance against North Rowan while [player_tooltip player_id='2454135' first='Alex' last='Waterfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2172117' first='Thomas' last='Thompson'] are playing well on the interior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2149164' first='RJ' last='Moore'] and company will look to play spoiler on the road on Friday night. Moore put up 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge in Round 3. [player_tooltip player_id='2374722' first='Malachi' last='McCutcheon'] remains a top unsigned senior target as well after posting 16 points and two blocks in Round 3. He'll look to have a big game against the Villains on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 Queen's Grant @ 2 South Stokes</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Stokes plays host for the final time this season after their 75-66 victory over Eastern Randolph. [player_tooltip player_id='2319817' first='Brady' last='Clark'] stepped up big with 24 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in a winning effort for South Stokes in Round 3. Junior BJ Gray contributed with a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. They'll need another big performance from them against a scrappy Queen's Grant bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Queen's Grant ran away with things in Round 3 against East Wilkes as six players scored in double-figures in their 90-52 victory. Their depth is something to keep an eye on in Round 4 as they've proven they can share the ball. They put up 27 assists on 36 made shots in their victory over East Wilkes with [player_tooltip player_id='2146888' first='Preston' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2194641' first='Mekhi' last='Allen'] recording six assists apiece. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4 West Bladen @ 1 Farmville Central</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Bladen and Farmville Central will meet for the third time this season for a spot in the 2A East Region Finals. Both teams have already split two meetings 1-1 as they meet in the inevitable trilogy in the NCHSAA State Playoffs. Expect a close, defensive battle between both teams as [player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220139' first='Hezekiah' last='Blanks-Adams'] should be an electric backcourt matchup for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 Northwood @ 2 Southwest Onslow</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another close battle brewing, especially given both teams similar styles of play. Both allowed under 50 points while scoring 60+ to win big in Round 3. Look for this one to be a close, single-digit final and don't be surprised if Northwood comes out with an upset on the road. [player_tooltip player_id='1411220' first='Cameron' last='Fowler'] is playing some of his best basketball alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1411210' first='Chad' last='Graves']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4 Salisbury @ 1 Reidsville</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville looks to stay unbeaten following their closest victory of the season over Monroe, 50-36. No matter what's been thrown their way, they've always managed to respond. In this case, they held Monroe to just three points in the third quarter while posting 18 points as a team. [player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'] and company look poised for another run to a state title as the favorites in the 2A West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">15 Bandys @ 6 Lincoln Charter</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Charter won big in Round 3 behind big performances from David Reed IV, [player_tooltip player_id='2093885' first='Sylas' last='Coleman'] and Krishtan Flowers. Reed will need to hold his own against Bandys frontcourt to keep things going while Flowers and Coleman will look to remain hot scoring the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bandys has been the biggest surprise in the 2A West as the 15-seed. They upended Shelby in Round 3 behind 24 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks from [player_tooltip player_id='2093887' first='Landon' last='Vaughan']. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2802099' first='Evan' last='Robinson'] emerged with 17 points, six rebounds and a block as well. They're peaking at the right time as they look to slow down a hot Lincoln Charter squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->