NCHSAA 1A East Preview – Who To Watch?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After breaking down a strong private school division in North Carolina, it's time to flip over to the public school classes. We begin with the 1A East division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chatham Charter- Chatham Charter fell in a heartbreaking State Championship game last year, but returns all of their core. [player_tooltip player_id='1257290' first='Adam' last='Harvey'] and his younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='1225618' first='Beau' last='Harvey'] will be building blocks for this team. The elder Harvey is a multi-positional player who finishes and guards the ball well, and has high IQ as an off the ball defender. His little brother is a ball hawk and incredibly disruptive for opposing guards, while still having room to grow on the offensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1360334' first='Aamir' last='Mapp'] will be a dog for them as a tweener forward who rebounds better than his size would say as well as providing a 3 and D element. [player_tooltip player_id='1225619' first='Brennen' last='Oldham'] is the most intriguing prospect of the four, with real collegiate size as a wing or 4 man as well as defensive ability and oozing potential. Offensively he must improve, but the talent and positional skill and athleticism is there. These four will be the main standouts to a team looking to be the best in 1A this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson Prep- Christen Battle is gone for Wilson Prep, but another quality lead guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1104960' first='Brandon' last='Anderson'] is ready to break out in Wilson. Anderson is a high quality scorer from all three levels who has shown off a solid three ball over the summer. It will be imperative to see how he handles taking over all the playmaking duties for his squad, but this is a breakout name to watch. <strong>Leslie Minter</strong> is a bigger wing that enters Year 3 who also showed off some impressive scoring chops this summer and is a prime candidate to flash onto the scene in Eastern NC. [player_tooltip player_id='1076358' first='Daidien' last='Sutton'] and <strong>David Ellis</strong> are two bigger guys that will provide physicality and rim protection on a team that has not necessarily had a lot of size that was skilled in recent years. Wilson Prep will be the other team mainly in the mix for a 1A East Championship, and their potential matchups with Chatham Charter will be a thrilling matchup if we get it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington County- Washington County returns a lot of guys from the team that was upset by North Edgecombe last year, and it will start with <strong>Le'Shaun Jackson</strong>. This dynamic point guard is a threat inside the arc, especially at the rim, and will push this team as far as it can go this season with his do it all nature. [player_tooltip player_id='1382676' first='Ke'Vontae' last='Lucas'] is a guy who may only be 6'4, but a walking double-double every night on the glass. He is so physical and just wants the ball when a shot goes up more than anyone else. <strong>Michaiah Smith</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743497' first='Amari' last='Chesson']</strong> are the other two of this fearless foursome that will lead Washington County this winter, both dual sport athletes with good skill and physicality. This team will be back with a vengeance after last year's postseason disappointment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Edgecombe- Another brother duo in North Edgecombe will be the leaders for this team, this time from the Lyons brothers. [player_tooltip player_id='1383800' first='Eric' last='Lyons'] is a great shooter as well as a rebounder, using his bulky 6'4 frame to outhit defenders down low. <strong>Ahkee Lyons</strong> is the football first brother, but his physicality as a guard will be necessary to stand opposing ball handlers up in the half-court. [player_tooltip player_id='1383801' first='Dontrevious' last='Whitaker'] is another name to watch as he showed this summer his ability to be physical down low as a slimmer, undersized forward. He is not one to leave open as he gets downhill. North Edgecombe boasts a lot of dual sport guys that play football in the fall, so the basketball skill may not be as high as other schools. What will not be a concern, however, is how physical, tough, and together this team plays. They will not be a fun team to come across during the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back this weekend for our 1A West Preview!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->