Piedmont Triad NCHSAA Fourth Round Playoff Standouts

Tuesday night felt like real playoff basketball across the Triad, loud gyms, tight games, and guys refusing to let their season end. With everything on the line, several players stepped up in a big way and delivered performances that won games and grabbed attention. Here's a look at who showed up when it mattered most in the fourth round.    Grady poured in 22 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in Walkertown's 71–60 win, shooting an efficient 82% from the floor. He's an athletic guard and shows a quick first step and soft touch on drives, often finishing strong at the rim. Grady's size allows him to rebound well for a guard, and uses his high motor and ability to score inside. He consistently makes winning plays on both ends, using strength to finish through contact and a solid midrange jumper.     McCandies produced 16 points and 7 rebounds on 55% shooting in the fourth round. At 6′5″ he uses his length to attack smaller guards and clean the glass, giving him a mismatch on both ends. He's a versatile wing who can slash to the basket and hit pull-up jumpers. McCandies finishes strong around the rim, has good rebound instincts for his size, and improving perimeter skills.     Grant nearly produced a double-double with 18 points and 9 rebounds in a loss in the fourth round. A lightning-quick guard, he constantly pressures defenders and leads his team in steals (5.8 steals per game). Offensively, he's crafty around the basket and has range on his pull-up jumper. Grant has recorded 2+ steals in each of his last 31 games, highlighting elite defensive instincts and energy. His combination of speed, defensive instincts, and playmaking makes him a “game-changer”.     Austin scored 19 points on 53% shooting in the playoff loss. A strong slasher and shooter, he creates offense by attacking closeouts and finishing through contact. Austin serves as a complementary scorer to Grant with his ability to space the floor, hit open threes, and is willing to take pull-ups. His build and scoring make him a tough cover for smaller guards, and his 19-point night underscores his role as a primary offensive weapon.     Cauthen turned in a big-time performance in Reidsville's Elite Eight matchup, finishing with a double-double that included 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. The sophomore guard thrives attacking downhill, using his quick first step and length to get into the paint and finish through contact against bigger defenders. He was a major factor in transition as well, constantly pushing the tempo and creating offense for himself and teammates.

Tuesday night felt like real playoff basketball across the Triad, loud gyms, tight games, and guys refusing to let their season end. With everything on the line, several players stepped up in a big way and delivered performances that won games and grabbed attention. Here's a look at who showed up when it mattered most in the fourth round.