NCHSAA: 2A Around the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of the early action around the NCHSAA 2A ranks in the state of North Carolina and the prospects in the ranks that need eyes on them by college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walkertown High has a talented group</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walkertown High is led in the backcourt by unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1382675' first='Jaylen' last='Wilkerson']. He's off to a hot start after their season-opening victory over Parkland, 70-48. He led the way with 30 points (12-18 FG, 3-4 3-PT), four assists and four rebounds. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1164552' first='Kadyn' last='Turner-Scott'] was behind him with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. They're a well-coached bunch that should make a splash this season in the NCHSAA 2A ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lincolnton High has a gem in LJ Smith</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LJ Smith got his high school career off to quite an impressive start for Lincolnton High to kick off the 2023-24 season. Smith finished with 43 points, seven rebounds and five steals to lead the Wolves to an impressive 71-68 victory over Statesville High. He'll look to stay hot on Tuesday night against Stuart W. Cramer High and East Lincoln on the road on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bandys High has a trio of names to know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bandys High is off to a 2-0 start thanks to the efforts of 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='2093887' first='Landon' last='Vaughan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2283885' first='Easton' last='Ledford'] and 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2173937' first='Micah' last='Slaughter']. Vaughan leads the charge in the frontcourt with his 6-foot-9 as he's producing 29.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG and 3.5 BPG while Ledford leads the backcourt with 11.0 PPG, 5.0 RPGM 3.0 APG and 1.5 SPG. Slaughter is averaging 12.0 PPG and 3.0 RPG. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1165176' first='Marcel' last='Freeman'] continues to surge at North Johnston High</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1165176' first='Marcel' last='Freeman'] continues to show his poise at the lead guard spot at North Johnston High. He's averaging 24.0 PPG across their first two victories in 2023-24. He's shooting 59 percent from the floor and 50 percent from deep with a lot to prove entering his junior season of high school ball. He'll have seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373747' first='Cory' last='Barnes']</strong> (16.5 PPG), <strong>Wyatt Hales</strong> (9.0 PPG) and <strong>Cooper Gibson </strong>(3.5 PPG) at his disposal in the rotation this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1672422' first='Jamie' last='Dance'] looks to put Currituck County High on the map</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672422' first='Jamie' last='Dance'] has Currituck County High off to a 1-0 start to kick things off in November. He posted 19 points in their season-opening victory over Cape Hatteras High. He's got a big challenge coming up this week with Hickory High on the road tomorrow then they'll face Peninsula Catholic High on Thursday in the Good Guys vs. Cancer Showcase at First Flight High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1131339' first='Makel' last='Smith'] is shooting the ball efficiently</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1131339' first='Makel' last='Smith'] is on quite the shooting tear for Morehead High entering his senior season. The 6-foot unsigned senior guard is averaging 40.5 PPG across two contests while shooting 60 percent from the field and 52 percent from behind the arc. He knocked down 7-of-13 3-pointers in their season-opener against 3A Northeast Guilford High. He's slowly climbing up the radar with his shooting exploits on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->