Realignment In the NCHSAA: A Look at the 7A Contenders

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recent expansion and realignment in the state of North Carolina has created a bigger talent pool to work with in the NCHSAA basketball ranks. Take a look at the 7A programs who should turn heads on the NCHSAA stage in 2025-26.</h2> <!-- /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 {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Mecklenburg</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's 4A defending state champions will look to be the team to beat atop the 7A ranks as a power to beat in 2025-26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garner</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A stalwart defensively who speeds up the game; [player_tooltip player_id='1280954' first='Darius' last='Whitner'] leads their backcourt as they'll look to some fresh faces on varsity to make things happen with a lot of senior departures</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2500754' first='Khaleil' last='Walters'] is set to lead the Comets in a big way fresh off their 21-9 campaign in 2024-25; keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='2464605' first='Jayden' last='Gray'] as well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Knightdale</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early first-round exit from last year's NCHSAA 4A Playoffs should have the Knights' young group hungry in 2025-26; keep an eye out for freshman Tre Roper and newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='2268800' first='Brennen' last='Jefferson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">McDowell</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans always seem to come from the West as the team to beat atop the bracket; that shouldn't change as they move up to 7A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Hanover</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scrappy group from Wilmington; [player_tooltip player_id='1950203' first='Kellum' last='Brown'] and Ny'zion Ballard will have a lot more to prove on the NCHSAA 7A stage with their roles expanding for the Wildcats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Independence</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots added [player_tooltip player_id='2298570' first='Christan' last='Jones'] (Mountain Island Charter) and [player_tooltip player_id='2055667' first='Jaxson' last='Neely'] returns for a squad that went 23-6 in 2024-25; don't be surprised to see them at the final weekend in the NCHSAA State Playoffs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cardinal Gibbons</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders are a well-coached bunch; they'll look to be another team to represent on the 7A stage for the 919 with [player_tooltip player_id='2144768' first='Walker' last='Montague'], Ty Lange and [player_tooltip player_id='1948023' first='Griffin' last='Cockerham'] leading the charge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Weddington</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors always seem to peak at the right time when the NCHSAA State Playoffs arrive; they lost to North Mecklenburg in the third round of last year's playoffs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hillside</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets are typically a well-coached group led by head coach Sha-Mel Riggins; after a down year in 2024-25, look for them to bounce back and put Durham on the map</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->