NCHSAA 3A: Sweet 16 Bracket Busters/Elite Eight Overview

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs continues on as seven top seeds remain among just one double-digit seed out of the NCHSAA 3A West. Take a look at the remaining bracket buster of the group along with an overview of the Elite Eight of the NCHSAA 3A Playoffs. </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get&nbsp;30% OFF payment&nbsp;on your first billing cycle with offer code:&nbsp;<strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 13-seed Ben L. Smith continues on with their season following a convincing 64-44 road victory over No. 6 East Henderson. [player_tooltip player_id='1786703' first='Jaylon' last='Bumpass'] stepped up in a big way with 20 points while Kenny Miller chipped in with 16 points as they got a big win on the road and will look to slow down No. 1 Central Cabarrus in the Elite Eight. The Golden Eagles are the lone double-digit seed left in the NCHSAA 3A Playoff field heading into Friday's matchups. They've remained a poised squad on the road this season under head coach Derrick Partee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Elite Eight Overview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Hickory vs. No. 4 Southern Guilford</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one should be fun as the unbeaten Hickory Red Tornadoes square off against [player_tooltip player_id='1273255' first='Jamias' last='Ferere'], [player_tooltip player_id='1273254' first='Jucqarie' last='Love'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2043250' first='Jyi' last='Dawkins'] and the Southern Guilford Storm. Dawkins posted 26 points while Ferere finished with 19 points in their victory over Crest in the Sweet 16. Look for the possible upset here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Swansboro vs. No. 4 Seventy-First</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swansboro will look to continue their quest to a state title after overcoming 56 points from First Flight's [player_tooltip player_id='1220133' first='Mason' last='Dobie'] in a 76-70 victory. They've got a formidable front led by [player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Jermaine' last='Cunningham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1990376' first='Jonah' last='Holt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1990377' first='Tay' last='Tangiora']. They'll look to slow down an all-around attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='2316265' first='Mylon' last='Campbell'] in the Seventy-First backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 Central Cabarrus vs. No. 14 Ben L. Smith</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have won their playoff games by an average of 58.3 points per contest while averaging 95 points per game on offense. Ben L. Smith has won their last two playoff games by double digits on the road, showing that their defense is a force to be reckoned with. The Golden Eagles will look to slow down the Vikings as they'll square off in what should be a battle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 Westover vs. No. 3 Southern Durham</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Durham made quick work of East Wake in the Sweet 16, winning going away 76-52 while Westover got a 59-56 victory over Northern Nash on some late heroics and all-around team effort. The Wolverines will play host as the top-seed as NJIT commit [player_tooltip player_id='1076361' first='Ari' last='Fulton'] and unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1743971' first='Malachi' last='Allen'] square off against 2025 top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] and sharpshooters [player_tooltip player_id='1454624' first='Camren' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1117525' first='Javier' last='Ortiz'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->