NCISAA 3A Final Four Preview (2022-23)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get <strong><em>30% OFF</em></strong> payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prephoops.com/subscribe</a></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been smooth sailing for the top four seeds, so to speak, as No. 1 - 4 find themselves in the Final Four of the NCISAA State Playoffs. Take a look at the matchups/prospects to keep an eye on Tuesday night as teams look to punch their ticket in Saturday's final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Concord Academy vs. No. 4 Asheville School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concord Academy escaped Saturday's quarterfinals with a single-digit victory as did Asheville School as both schools have some notable big men to keep eyes on. Both teams met once before on Nov. 19 and Concord Academy took that meeting 67-55, but don't expect such a big deficit in this game this time around with higher stakes. [player_tooltip player_id='577871' first='Avion' last='Pinner'] had 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first meeting and will look to build on the season he's having. He's averaging 15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 2.4 bpg. Winthrop commit [player_tooltip player_id='956789' first='Noah' last='Van Bibber'] also had 13 points on three 3-pointers as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsigned senior floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1220895' first='Derin' last='Saran'] has led quite the charge for the Blues with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1641138' first='Kaden' last='Holdbrook']</strong> (Macalester College) and the emergence of junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1426738' first='Ryan' last='Soulis'] has helped as well. Saran finished with 27 points against Calvary Day School while Holdbrook had 19 points and Soulis had 15. They're a group that's peaked at the right time heading into a pivotal matchup on Tuesday night. Look for things to stay close all night long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 Greensboro Day School vs. No. 3 Gaston Christian School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 59-58 overtime victory over High Point Christian Academy got Greensboro Day School in this year's NCISAA Final Four as Virginia Tech signee [player_tooltip player_id='577888' first='Jaydon' last='Young'] has played stellar for them down the stretch. Unsigned seniors [player_tooltip player_id='577876' first='Julius' last='Reese Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1008883' first='Joseph' last='Bachman'] are two other names to watch with their squad as well. They'll certainly get all they can handle from a talented Gaston Christian School bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaston Christian School is led by 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1672429' first='Cameron' last='Newman']. He led the way for them as an eighth grader last year and continues to improve. He's producing 15.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.9 spg in his freshman season as he leads their backcourt. 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1809463' first='Joe' last='Rhyne'] has emerged as well, putting up 13.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.4 spg while shooting 45 percent from 3-point land. He's made 110 3-pointers in 2022-23. 6-foot-11 junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1809464' first='Gabriel' last='Mabor'] is their X-Factor in the paint. Mabor had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks against Cape Fear Academy. Look for him to do similar against GDS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->