NCHSAA 4A East Favorites, 3rd Edition

<h5>This week’s conference tournaments should produce a number of favorites from the 4A East. Take a look at the 3rd edition of favorites to win it all.</h5> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>New Hanover (20-0)</h5> <p>New Hanover High has been a surprise in 2021-22. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="848071" first="Mikhail" last="Pocknett"] and James Jones Jr. have led the scoring attack for the Wildcats while juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1027998" first="Khalil" last="Genwright"] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1027999" first="Jarrod" last="Vaughn"] </strong>have filled the void elsewhere to keep things on the rise for this group. They’re heading into their conference tournament unbeaten at 14-0 with a deep run in the state playoffs on their mind.</p> <h5>Cleveland (23-1)</h5> <p>Cleveland High has won 20 games in a row heading into this week’s conference tournament and boasts a 14-0 record in conference play. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="944989" first="Trey" last="Fields"], [player_tooltip player_id="577886" first="Dylan" last="Wiggins"], [player_tooltip player_id="1363152" first="Dylan" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1253927" first="Baron" last="Williams"] have been the driving force in their success this season as they look to make a run in the state playoffs. They’re a tough bunch that knows how to spread the wealth on offense.</p> <h5>Richmond County (21-1)</h5> <p>Richmond County is another one-loss team that’s riding their own winning streak into their conference tournament. 2024 top prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1076334" first="Paul" last="McNeil"] went for a career-high 41 points in their final regular-season conference game over Scotland County as they look to earn a top seed in the 4A East and make another deep run in the state tournament.</p> <h5>Jordan (19-3)</h5> <p>Jordan High is 11-1 in conference action and 19-3 on the year led by 2023s [player_tooltip player_id="1350176" first="RJ" last="Bridges"], [player_tooltip player_id="1343866" first="Clash" last="Peters"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1143945" first="Walker" last="Woodall"] and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1343876" first="Jayan" last="Walker"]. They’re a defensive-minded group that looks to impose their will in this year’s state tournament. They’ll be another potential high seed with the potential to do damage in the field. </p> <h5>Apex Friendship (16-5)</h5> <p>Apex Friendship has come out on top of their conference (12-2) led by unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1028010" first="Gabe" last="Proctor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1219914" first="Isaac" last="Holmes"]. They’ve won five games in a row heading into the conference tournament. They play an all-around brand of basketball and are another well-connected team on defense with the potential to make a splash from the 4A East in this year’s state playoffs. </p>