NCISAA Playoff Time: 1A Prospects to Monitor

It's playoff time in the HoopState with the NCISAA state tournament about to get underway this week! We're going to drop previews featuring prospects from each classification! The 1A classification doesn't have a ton of top end talent this year but there are some real gems amongst these programs vying for the championship. This classification often gets super competitive as the tournament goes further along and without further delay, let's take a look at some guys to watch as the playoffs begin this week.    Marshall is a consistent producer at Victory Christian who is a constant presence on both backboards. Victory Christian has played a tough schedule and are 13-17 heading into the playoffs but due to the difficulty of that schedule and some of the wins they were able to pick up along the way, they were able to secure the top seed in the tournament. Marshall is averaging 10.0 Points, 11.2 Rebounds, 2.6 Assists, and 2.1 Steals per game. Marshall is capable of pushing the break after getting a rebound where he makes good decisions. He's got a crafty handle for his size and a great 2nd jump to help him get rebounds and alter shots at the rim. Marshall is an above the rim guy that can soar for momentum shifting dunks in transition, or get back and pin someones shot on the glass. He's got a great foundational skillset + high level physical tools along with being a steady producer. Marshall is a guy for programs to monitor closely ahead of this playoff run and into the spring/summer travel ball season.     Crossroads Christian has had a lot of success this season and [player_tooltip player_id='3500829' first='Brody' last='Watkins'] has broken out as a next level prospect to monitor in the process. Crossroads Christian is 20-8 and the 4 seed in the NCISAA 1A Bracket. Watkins is averaging 15.4 Points, 3.6 Rebounds, 4.9 Assists, and 4.3 Steals per game. He's also doing all of that on 54/42/77 shooting splits. Watkins is the classic table setting PG with deep range, forcing the defense to make a choice every single time they set up to guard him. He can burn you from the volleyball line or take you off the bounce to make a play for himself and others. Watkins is a great leader for a player at this stage in his career and has really taken this uptick in role/usage in stride. Defensively he's got great hands + anticipation to be one of NC's leaders in steals per game. Watkins is poised to help Crossroads Christian on a deep playoff run to help build him some more momentum heading into the travel ball season.     New Garden Friends is a program that has winning pedigree over the last couple of decades and they find themselves in the NCISAA 1A title discussion once again with [player_tooltip player_id='2369979' first='Kingston' last='Clifton'] helping lead the charge for this group out of Greensboro. New Garden Friends is 16-11 on the season and find themselves as the 3 seed in the bracket. Clifton is averaging 14.8 Points, 4.4 Rebounds, 2.3 Assists, and 3.5 Steals per game. Clifton is capable of operating off the bounce in multiple areas on the floor along with making outside shots to keep the defense honest. He's made 45 3s this season for New Garden Friends. Clifton has quick feet and hands defensively that allow his instincts to take over where he's got a knack for getting steals. If New Garden Friends is to go on a run, Clifton will have to be really good, luckily for them, he's been that all season long.     The 2nd member of the top seed Victory Christian to make the list, Coulter is a versatile backcourt piece that has really been the offensive firepower behind a lot of Victory's success this season. Coulter is averaging 16.5 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 3.5 Assists, and 2.5 Steals per game this season. Coulter is playing more on the ball this year for Victory Christian and he's showing real progress in his development of the PG skills he's always possessed. The range he possesses on his shot opens the floor up for he and his teammates to operate. He really is a dynamic threat from the outside that can help swing big games for his team. Coulter is a guy that will likely get more recruiting attention as the season winds down, he's a proven producer, versatile backcourt piece, and only getting better in multiple facets of the game. I fully expect Victory to go on yet another deep 1A run and Coulter to have some special moments along the way.     Difficult to think of many programs winning more under the radar in North Carolina this year than Southeastern Christian in the beautiful coastal town of Shalotte, NC. This group is 18-3 on the season and have themselves positioned for a real run at the NCISAA title. A huge reason behind this groups success and #2 overall seed in the 1A bracket is [player_tooltip player_id='2746455' first='Ziyon' last='Smith']. The Junior big man has been the epitome of consistency for this group all season long. He's averaging 16.1 Points, 9.0 Rebounds, 0.5 Assists, 1.2 Steals, and 1.2 Blocks per game. He's doing all of that with 51/30/69 shooting splits. Smith is known as a double double machine but is starting to expand his outside touch, defensive versatility, and overall two way impact. This could be a breakout type of opportunity in front of Smith and this Southeastern Prep program if they wanna go on a big run.

It's playoff time in the HoopState with the NCISAA state tournament about to get underway this week! We're going to drop previews featuring prospects from each classification! The 1A classification doesn't have a ton of top end talent this year but there are some real gems amongst these programs vying for the championship. This classification often gets super competitive as the tournament goes further along and without further delay, let's take a look at some guys to watch as the playoffs begin this week.