NCHSAA Favorites: 4A Preview

<p>The 4A level is quite the talented pool of teams especially in the Charlotte/Concord area. Here’s a look at the NCHSAA 4A Favorites to make a run at the state title.</p> <h5>1. North Mecklenburg Vikings (2-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="574411" first="Chris" last="Ford"], [player_tooltip player_id="577850" first="Jeremy" last="Gregory"], [player_tooltip player_id="838072" first="Tony" last="Waters"], [player_tooltip player_id="1028009" first="Davion" last="Cunningham"] and the North Mecklenburg Vikings look to pick up where they left off this past season, going 30-1 and winning a share of the NCHSAA 4A State title. They’re a well-seasoned group worth getting eyes on with talent on all college levels. </p> <h5>2. Vance Cougars (3-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="787676" first="Daniel" last="Sanford"] returns as a focal point in the Vance rotation while [player_tooltip player_id="1076352" first="Maurio" last="Hanson"] also steps in to play a role in the frontcourt for the Cougars. Sanford is producing 25.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg and 1.0 bpg through their first two victories and one for college coaches to get eyes on. Another notable names: <strong>Corey Gaines, 2022 Point Guard </strong> &amp; <strong>Kendall Smith, 2022 Guard</strong></p> <h5>3. South Central Falcons (2-0)</h5> <p>Consider last season a "down year" for the South Central Falcons, but this season, Coach Cherry and company are back in 2020-21 led by [player_tooltip player_id="577882" first="Moses" last="Tufts"], [player_tooltip player_id="577851" first="Omar" last="Harris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="854925" first="Jamir" last="Wright"]. They’ve got two victories already winning by an average of 24 points and have yet to give up more than 42 points. </p> <h5>4. Millbrook Wildcats (2-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="848087" first="Silas" last="Demary Jr."], [player_tooltip player_id="574413" first="Eric" last="Van Der Heijden"] and [player_tooltip player_id="838057" first="Chris" last="Daniels"] are a few names to watch on an always talented Millbrook Wildcats squad. They had some battles with Leesville Road this past season and look to return to the top of the CAP 7 Conference. Demary is producing 16.5 ppg, 5.5 spg, 3.0 apg and 3.0 rpg and shooting 65 percent from the field and 57 percent from behind the arc through their first two games.</p> <h5>5. Apex Friendship Patriots (3-0)</h5> <p>Kenny Nolan, [player_tooltip player_id="1028010" first="Gabe" last="Proctor"], Will Asken and the Apex Friendship Patriots return as an experienced group with room to do damage in the South Wake Athletic Conference. They’re off to a 3-0 start already with a big game coming up on Friday against Fuquay-Varina. </p> <h5>6. Davie War Eagles (2-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="577860" first="Zaharee" last="Maddox"] leads the Davie War Eagles with a state title on his mind. He grew a ton as the team’s leader on the floor in 2019-20 and looks to show off his intangibles as a do-it-all guard on the hardwood that put up 14.9 ppg, 5.6 apg and 4.7 rpg as a sophomore.</p> <h5>7. Independence Patriots (3-0)</h5> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="574433" first="Jalen" last="Hinton"], Tachai Miller and the Independence Patriots are off to a 3-0 start in Southwestern Conference action already following a 76-61 win over Porter Ridge on Tuesday night. Another notable prospects: <strong>Divine Allah,</strong> 2021 Guard &amp; <strong>Landon King, </strong>2022 Point Guard</p> <h5>8. Ardrey Kell Knights (2-0)</h5> <p>The Ardrey Kell Knights are a loaded group led by [player_tooltip player_id="577848" first="Elijah" last="Gray"], [player_tooltip player_id="1028028" first="Peyton" last="Gerald"], [player_tooltip player_id="1050462" first="Knoah" last="Carver"], Ethan Smith and others that are due to make a lot of noise in the South Meck Conference. They’re off to a 2-0 start already with Smith putting up 11.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 7.0 apg and 3.0 spg. Gerald is producing 9.0 ppg and 8.0 rpg as well. </p>