Triad Preview Series: Grimsley (NCHSAA)

As we enter the dog days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2024-2025 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Welcome to year two of the Triad Preview Series, a five-part, in-depth look at the best basketball the Triad has to offer. Today's piece will feature Grimsley, an NCHSAA program revered for its athletics, located in the heart of Greensboro.   Grimsley has been a foundation of Greensboro high school basketball for decades. Here is a program that prides itself on consistently putting together a talented roster year in and year out that competes with the best. 2023-2024 was no different. The Whirlies finished the regular season 21-5, 12-2 in-conference, and as the #7 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs. An early playoff run, highlighted by wins against #25 seed Page (15-12) and #10 seed Davie (22-5) propelled Grimsley to a third round matchup against #2 seed Lake Norman. A 74-61 loss ended Grimsley's playoff run and 2023-2024 season. Lake Norman would advance to the state semifinals. With a Grimsley squad that came up short last season and will have some upperclassman transition into bigger roles, expectations for the Whirlies will be high. Let's meet some key pieces that will make or break this teams' championship aspirations.    [player_tooltip player_id='1808844' first='Evander' last='Davis'] is an intriguing prospect in the class of 2027 who will see an increased role in Grimsley's backcourt in 2024-2025. Davis is an elite ball handler, clutch scorer, and a high IQ guard who can just as effectively play on and off the ball. He runs the floor well, and is savvy in creating space for himself to score. Davis is a consistent three-point shooter with an instinctual catch and shoot mentality. His craftiness, a product of his elite ball handling and expert footwork, paired with a quick first step, makes him a versatile scoring threat who can also do damage off the dribble. Davis is a scrappy, in-your-face kind of guy on defense who forces turnovers and disruptions. He's an underrated rebounder for a guard his size as well. With a Grimsley squad that is looking for their next backcourt duo to emerge in 2024-2025, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1808844' first='Evander' last='Davis'] to take a big step next season to fill that role.     [player_tooltip player_id='1811555' first='Sherman' last='Winston II'] is my candidate for [player_tooltip player_id='1808844' first='Evander' last='Davis']' running mate for Grimsley's backcourt in 2024-2025. Davis, a true 6'0", has a bit of a larger frame and plays more of a traditional shooting guard role. Winston II is a knock down shooter who thrives creating open looks for himself around the perimeter and underneath the basket. What stands out most about his game is his competitive nature. Winston is a clutch play-maker who excels in do or die moments. This is an intangible that is going to give his coaching staff and teammates trust in him to go out and produce in end-of-game situations. [player_tooltip player_id='1811555' first='Sherman' last='Winston II'] is a competitor who is built for the big stage, and I think himself, paired alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1808844' first='Evander' last='Davis'], can do some serious work in Grimsley's backcourt in 2024-2025.     Sherrod White is a football guy whose found a nice second season gig with Grimsley's basketball squad. While we didn't see much of White in 2024-2025, he showed flashes of some serious upside. White is a long, physical wing whose athleticism transcends most. He's an elite two-way prospect who is arguably the most underrated defender in his class. White play defense with active hands and a nice feel for how to read actions and sets. He's a gifted playmaker in transition and is a tough finisher at the rim. One area White can improve in his perimeter shot making. With a more consistent outside jumpshot, I think White has the potential to play a crucial role off the bench for Grimsley in 2024-2025 and start gaining equal attention on the hardwood.     Bryce Davis is another football guy who I recently covered as a potential dark horse prospect to make some serious noise in 2024-2025. Similar to White, Davis' size and athleticism set him apart. While there games are somewhat parallel, Davis, a rising senior, has a bigger frame and a more polished basketball skillset. This is good for White. Davis can be a guy he competes with in practice and learns from next season. Davis has already proven himself to be a reliable big who competes on the boards for a Grimsley squad that will need that in an even bigger capacity next season. I think Bryce Davis is going to have a big-time senior season as the guy down low for the Whirlies.     Henry Trent has just as much upside as his four other teammates. At 6'2", Trent is an established versatile scoring threat who is a sharp shooter from the 3-point line. Trent's got a smooth stroke that gives him options when guarded. He's a quick guard who is crafty in the lane and can make shots off the dribble. He's a high IQ guard with elite passing abilities who makes big-time plays. I'd like to see Trent work to fill out his body more this summer and put on some weight while maintaining his speed and ability to catch and shoot. Henry Trent is going to be a big-time player for Grimsley this season because of his natural ability to shoot.

As we enter the dog days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2024-2025 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Welcome to year two of the Triad Preview Series, a five-part, in-depth look at the best basketball the Triad has to offer. Today's piece will feature Grimsley, an NCHSAA program revered for its athletics, located in the heart of Greensboro.