Triad Sleepers: 5 Prospects Heating Up for NC Playoffs

The Piedmont Triad is stacked, but these five prospects are producing well in February and earning serious looks as playoffs begin. From volume scorers to versatile wings and young stars, they're producing at a high level in a loaded region.    McCandies is a smooth long-wing scorer who thrives in Walkertown's up-tempo system with deep range and a lightning-quick release. He attacks closeouts with shiftiness, rebounds well for his position, and creates steals with active hands on defense. Still filling out his frame, he projects as a high-upside perimeter threat ready to stretch floors at the next level. In February he stayed efficient with 12 points (including two threes) in the OT conference final thriller against Reidsville and chipped in 9 points with 7 rebounds in a key win over McMichael.     Grady is a physical guard who plays bigger than his size, attacking the rim with power and knocking down reliable mid-range shots while leading with toughness and high IQ. A three-year captain who switches 1-through-5 on defense, he's exactly the kind of versatile winner every program wants. February was all business as he scored in double figures nearly every night, including 13 points in the OT loss to Reidsville, 15 against Carver, and steady 14-point outings.     Strickland is an explosive pure scorer who generates his own shot at all three levels with crafty finishes around the rim and sharp vision once defenses collapse. Don't let the size fool you — this fearless bucket-getter brings college-level confidence and motor from a smaller program. February saw him keep his absurd scoring pace alive with multiple 25-35 point outbursts while keeping QEA competitive against tougher schedules.     Cauthen is a sophomore star already producing like a veteran, attacking downhill with crafty touch, pull-up game, and advanced playmaking while showing poise beyond his years. He brings toughness and high motor on both ends, making him one of the top young prospects in the state, college coaches should get in early. February was more of the same: consistent 20+ point nights, multiple double-doubles, and huge contributions during Reidsville's dominant conference tournament title run.     Simmons is a true do-it-all floor general who impacts the game every way possible with sharp passing, effective paint attacks, strong rebounding for a guard, and high-energy leadership on defense. He understands winning basketball and fits perfectly in any college system that values smart, versatile guards. In February he exploded for 17 points on 86% shooting with 6 assists in a key victory and delivered multiple efficient double-digit scoring nights as the Raiders locked in strong playoff positioning.

The Piedmont Triad is stacked, but these five prospects are producing well in February and earning serious looks as playoffs begin. From volume scorers to versatile wings and young stars, they're producing at a high level in a loaded region.