NCHSAA Playoffs Elite Eight Preview: 3A & 4A Breakdowns

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the preview for the NCHSAA Playoffs Elite Eight in the 3A &amp; 4A 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">3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top four seeds have managed to make it to the end in the NCHSAA 3A East. Outside of Swansboro, every other team won their game by single digits. Expect more of the same across the board in what should be a slew of close contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4 Person @ 1 Swansboro</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things haven't been close at all for top-seed Swansboro as they've won three games by an average of 33.0 points heading into their meeting with Person. Look for Person to slow the pace drastically and make the Pirates play at their pace as they look to punch their ticket to the East Region Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 JH Rose @ 2 Southern Durham</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Durham should get all they can handle from JH Rose led by their scrappy backcourt of unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2362603' first='Justin' last='Grimes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2305929' first='Kasyn' last='Chase']. [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] (Butler) and [player_tooltip player_id='2623267' first='AJ' last='Morman'] are fresh off their first test in the hot-shooting First Flight Nighthawks. They'll look to show they can adjust to a faster pace when the Rampants come to town on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 3A West, it's been an interesting playoffs as top-seed Ashbrook remains surrounded by three double-digit seeds. Things should get even more interesting this Friday night in the fourth round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">12 Huss @ 1 Ashbrook</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook remains the lone single-digit seed left in the 3A West with a 65-44 victory over Central Davidson. They utilized stifling defense in the first half, holding the Spartans to 16 points in the first half to jump out to a 39-16 lead and never looked back in Round 3. They'll look to keep their foot on the gas against 12-seed Huss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huss has enjoyed the epic rise of 2027 prospect Zaiyir "Zii" Phillips as they look to unseat top seed Ashbrook. Phillips posted 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds on four made 3-pointers in Round 3 while [player_tooltip player_id='2194796' first='Jaleel' last='Smith'] put up 19 points, seven steals and four assists. Another name to watch is 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2500074' first='Antonio' last='Worthy']. He put up 18 points, three assists and two steals in Round 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">11 Ben L. Smith @ 10 Crest</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10-seed Crest escaped 15-seed Oak Grove 62-59 behind 42 combined points from [player_tooltip player_id='2301227' first='D'various' last='Surratt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2301230' first='Lyrik' last='Pettis']. They're a dynamic backcourt duo in the 2026 class making a name for themselves on the NCHSAA stage this season. Look for them to lead the way on Friday night for the Chargers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben L. Smith escaped Dudley with a 50-48 victory following a 3-pointer from [player_tooltip player_id='1164552' first='Kadyn' last='Turner-Scott'] as time expired to keep their season alive. After facing all of the adversity they could handle in Round 3, anything can happen in Round 4 which seemingly favors them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four single-digit seeds remain in the 4A East including top-seed New Hanover as they look to get back to the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5 Green Level @ 1 New Hanover</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green Level is playing strong behind [player_tooltip player_id='1667677' first='Isaac' last='Ericksen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1754423' first='Israel' last='Eatman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382809' first='Trevor' last='Manhertz']. The trio combined for 39 points in their 62-47 victory over Clayton. They'll look to keep things going against the Wildcats and their tough backcourt pairing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Hanover won easily in Round 3, 85-39, over 8-seed Richmond County. They outscored the Raiders 31-8 to run away with things in the end. [player_tooltip player_id='1220122' first='Rodmik' last='Allen'] posted 22 points, 11 assists and seven steals while [player_tooltip player_id='1950203' first='Kellum' last='Brown'] posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. They're a well-rounded group who look to turn the pressure up and play at their pace. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 Sanderson @ 2 Garner</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs in the 919 area collide on Friday night when Sanderson visits Garner. [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2299464' first='Cam' last='Reyes'] should be a strong backcourt battle to headline a game that could possibly come down to the game's final possession. Whoever plays the most poised should win this one, expect a wire-to-wire finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top seed in the 4A West is out due to ineligibility issues but the defending state champions are still alive in North Mecklenburg and the new favorite to win the region, though JL Chambers lurks at the 13-seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">13 JL Chambers @ 9 Myers Park</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers has won two road games in a row coming in behind the stellar play of point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2449196' first='Malik' last='McCotter']. He's got his stars playing strong with his assists going up. [player_tooltip player_id='1682357' first='Markus' last='Kerr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2023905' first='Tarris' last='Bouie III'] are a tough duo to stop when they really get going. The Mustangs will have their hands full on Friday night in what should be a back-and-forth battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">7 Watauga @ 3 North Mecklenburg</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='2801040' first='Jace' last='Blocker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2339884' first='Cade' last='Keller'] has 7-seed playing strong and fresh off a 62-59 victory over 2-seed West Forsyth. Blocker and Keller combined for 36 points which came in handy with [player_tooltip player_id='2091779' first='Josiah' last='Railey']'s 16 points to lift the Warriors in a must-win game. They'll look to give the Vikings all they can handle in Round 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Mecklenburg saw [player_tooltip player_id='1680977' first='Ashton' last='Pierce'] knock down eight 3-pointers in Round 3 as they took down Weddington, 94-57. He's peaking at the right time alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1409583' first='Chadlyn' last='Traylor'] as they look to return to the 4A Championship Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->