NCHSAA State Playoffs: 3A & 4A Region Finals Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the regional finals preview for the NCHSAA 3A &amp; 4A State Playoffs taking place in the final week of high school hoops!</h2> <!-- /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 {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3A</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">2 Southern Durham vs 1 Swansboro</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans got 35 points, 14 rebounds and four assists from Butler commit [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] and 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists from 2028 star [player_tooltip player_id='2623267' first='AJ' last='Morman'] as they won big 77-42 against JH Rose. They'll look to lead Southern Durham to an NCHSAA State title by beating a hot Swansboro squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates ran away with things once again in their Elite Eight victory over Person with their 75-43 victory. They'll look to continue to make history after clinching their first regional finals appearance in school history.</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">12 Huss vs. 11 Ben L. Smith</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies took down top seed Ashbrook 51-48 behind 25 points from 2028 budding star [player_tooltip player_id='2194796' first='Jaleel' last='Smith']. [player_tooltip player_id='1907265' first='Zamarius' last='Gladden'] also had 13 rebounds and nine points on the night as they showed their grit on the road. Now, they'll need to show they can keep it going after the Eagles took down conference foe Crest in overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben L. Smith comes in with their clutch-gene on higg after winning with seconds remaining in the Sweet 16 and their 61-58 overtime victory over Crest. Their backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='2043250' first='Jyi' last='Dawkins'], Kenny Miller and [player_tooltip player_id='1164552' first='Kadyn' last='Turner-Scott'] has proven tough to beat heading into the region final</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4A</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 Sanderson vs 1 New Hanover</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21 points and 10 assists from [player_tooltip player_id='1220122' first='Rodmik' last='Allen'] and 17 points and eight rebounds from [player_tooltip player_id='1950203' first='Kellum' last='Brown'] carried New Hanover to an easy 71-51 victory into the Final Four. It also helped Zeus Batta contributed with 13 points and six assists. They're a talented backcourt who can score it in a hurry with their playmaking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] showed off his starpower once again with 42 points for Sanderson in their Elite Eight victory over Garner for their first regional finals appearance in school history. They'll look to slow down a tough New Hanover bunch.</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">13 JL Chambers vs 3 North Mecklenburg</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2023905' first='Tarris' last='Bouie III'] went off for 25 points and 10 rebounds while [player_tooltip player_id='1682357' first='Markus' last='Kerr'] put up 19 points, three rebounds and three assists in their 70-63 victory over Myers Park in the Elite Eight. Their 2026 duo looks like they're peaking at the right time with North Mecklenburg up next in the West Finals. They won the last meeting 75-70 on Feb. 21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1409583' first='Chadlyn' last='Traylor'] went off for 28 points and [player_tooltip player_id='1916754' first='Carson' last='Evans'] went for 23 points in their 84-48 victory as they prime than ever to repeat as state champions. They'll just have to get through crosstown rival Chambers in the meantime, which should come down to the wire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->