NCHSAA Sweet 16: A Look at the Matchups in 3A & 4A

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at a preview of the matchups in tonight's NCHSAA 3A &amp; 4A State Playoffs across the state of North Carolina.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em> anderson30</em></strong><em> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!</em><a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30"> Subscribe</a> 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:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Southern Lee @ 1 Swansboro</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Lee won big 87-57 over Fike in Round 2 and now they'll look to go on the road against top-seed Swansboro in the East. [player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Jermaine' last='Cunningham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1990376' first='Jonah' last='Holt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1990377' first='Tay' last='Tangiora'] are playing some of their best basketball as unsigned senior talent in the state. Tune into this one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">12 White Oak @ 4 Person</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Oak took down 5-seed Northern Nash in a hostile environment already as [player_tooltip player_id='2415176' first='Zarion' last='Hobbs'] continues to showcase his skills at the lead guard spot. Person will look to slow him down after defeating Orange, 56-53, in Round 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 Seventy-First @ 3 JH Rose</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seventy-First made easy work of Westover in Round 2, 85-44, as they're led by [player_tooltip player_id='2375873' first='Jacquez' last='Foster'], Malachi Isaac and Javon Foster. JH Rose will look to turn things up defensively and unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2362603' first='Justin' last='Grimes'] will look to lead the Rampants offense to the next round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">7 First Flight @ 2 Southern Durham</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High-volume perimeter offense meets scrappy defense tonight when the Nighthawks and Spartans collide. Southern Durham has looked every part of a 2-seed with victories of 41 points and 33 points under their belt already. They look focused heading in led by [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2623267' first='AJ' last='Morman']. </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">24 Central Davidson @ 1 Ashbrook</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Davidson looks to continue their run in the NCHSAA 3A West after upsetting 9-seed Piedmont, 51-33, in Round 1. Top-seed Ashbrook hasn't been an easy out though with Isaac Byers Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='2301225' first='Jamari' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2301223' first='Jamarion' last='Patton'] leading the way. Look for things to get interesting in the early going in this one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">20 High Point Central @ 12 Huss</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High Point Central and Huss both took down top seeds in the region as the Bison took down 4-seed Robinson 72-71 and the Huskies took down 5-seed North Lincoln 78-72. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2382798' first='Adonai' last='Tyrance'] continues to emerge in the frontcourt while [player_tooltip player_id='2382804' first='Josiah' last='Hill'] has become a name to know in their backcourt as 2026 prospects. Zaiyir "Zii" Phillips exploded for 28 points, eight steals and five rebounds while [player_tooltip player_id='2194796' first='Jaleel' last='Smith'] remained steady with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists for Huss in Round 2. They'll look to keep their season going against a tough High Point Central squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">11 Ben L Smith @ 3 Dudley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben L. Smith/Dudley Round 4 will commence in the third round of the NCHSAA 3A West Playoffs. Both teams met three times during the regular season with Dudley winning the first two meetings and Ben L. Smith winning the most recent meeting, 57-38, back on Feb. 18. Look for this one to go wire-to-wire with the whole city out to see conference rivals collide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">15 Oak Grove @ 10 Crest</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2301230' first='Lyrik' last='Pettis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2301227' first='D'various' last='Surratt'] both scored 19 points apiece in the Mustangs' 64-58 overtime victory over Northwest Cabarrus. They've got some adversity under their belt already against the Grizzlies. Oak Grove has already won in double-overtime in Round 1 and a 3-pointer from [player_tooltip player_id='1832602' first='Max' last='Hurt'] at the buzzer knocked off 2-seed East Henderson in Round 2. The Grizzlies will look to go on the road to Crest and keep their season going as unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1909355' first='Loucas' last='Shoaf'] continues to star for 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:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Richmond @ 1 New Hanover</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Hanover has handled business so far as the top seed in the NCHSAA 4A East. They've got a Richmond squad who started the year 1-7 before turning things around and going 16-2 including their first two playoff victories. Ahaiver McDonald had 20 points and three made 3-pointers in their 63-42 victory over Overhills. Junior Jay Hamilton stepped up with 15 points as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">13 Clayton @ 5 Green Level</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1365466' first='Andrew' last='Grimes'], [player_tooltip player_id='1225664' first='Preston' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1212902' first='Justice' last='Mitchell'] and the Comets have already knocked off one top seed in the second round with their 51-47 victory over 4-seed Jordan. They'll look to knock off a well-coached Green Level group tonight. [player_tooltip player_id='1754423' first='Israel' last='Eatman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382809' first='Trevor' last='Manhertz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1667677' first='Isaac' last='Ericksen'] combined for 52 points in their 64-47 victory over Leesville Road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 Lumberton @ 3 Sanderson</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals from [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] was enough to get the job done for Sanderson against Millbrook. They also got 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals from Gordie Balas. He'll look to keep things going against a Lumberton squad which saw Jaiden Shephard go for 33 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in their Round 2 victory over Hillside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">26 Apex Friendship @ 2 Garner</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apex Friendship has already knocked off 7 Knightdale and 23 Panther Creek, who knocked off 10 New Bern in the first round. They've won all their games on the road so far in the playoffs as head coach PJ Lowman has something to prove. Jadon Green continues to star for them and will look to do the same against a scrappy Garner group. </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">9 Myers Park @ 1 Lake Norman</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have been focused so far as the top seed in the NCHSAA 4A West, winning by 15 and by 22 in their first two games of the playoffs. Myers Park has won eight of their last 10 games coming in with [player_tooltip player_id='2204008' first='Bram' last='Early'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2348003' first='Josh' last='Hines'] leading the backcourt. They'll look to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1409597' first='Trent' last='Steinour'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1226603' first='Tre' last='McKinnon'], two high-major college prospects signed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">13 Chambers @ 5 Independence</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seeding certainly has Chambers playing with a chip on their shoulder. They knocked off 4-seed McDowell on the road, 65-58, as [player_tooltip player_id='1682357' first='Markus' last='Kerr'], [player_tooltip player_id='2023905' first='Tarris' last='Bouie III'], [player_tooltip player_id='2474519' first='Cameron' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2449196' first='Malik' last='McCotter'] combined for 57 total points in the victory. They'll look to knock off an underrated Independence squad who should give them all they can handle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 Weddington @ 3 North Mecklenburg</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's defending state champions will host Weddington tonight. They made quick work of Davie in the second round with a 90-50 route. The Warriors and [player_tooltip player_id='2280113' first='KJ' last='Younger'] will look to dethrone them as Younger is producing 25.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">7 Watauga @ 2 West Forsyth</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga's [player_tooltip player_id='2339884' first='Cade' last='Keller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2091779' first='Josiah' last='Railey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2801040' first='Jace' last='Blocker'] have been a tough trio to stop so far in the NCHSAA State Playoffs. They'll look to push the envelope against a West Forsyth squad who defeated South Caldwell, 54-47 in overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='2772441' first='Kamauri' last='Manuel'] continues to emerge for them as he's fresh off a 15-point, 6-rebound and 6-assist performance in Round 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->