Triad Preview Series: West Forsyth (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 West Forsyth, an NCHSAA powerhouse located in Clemmons, N.C., right down the road from Winston Salem.   West Forsyth is a consistently solid program that has been a tough competitor in the Winston Salem area for quite some time now. The Titans play a tough, gritty style of basketball that is rooted in discipline and attention to detail. While not the flashiest, West Forsyth guys are fundamentally sound and embrace and excel in their roles. The programs reputation for consistency was reflected in the 2023-2024 regular season. The Titans finished the regular season 19-8, 11-4 in-conference, and as the #13 seed in the Western quadrant of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs. West Forsyth's playoff run ended abruptly with a 66-62 first round loss to #20 seed Mooresville. There is an energizing mix of old and new on this years roster, one that has garnered some talented, versatile offensive weapons that might give this team the spark they were missing in 2023-2024. With a new season on the horizon, a chance to get right in next years post-season, let's meet some key guys who can elevate West Forsyth to a legitimate title contender in 2024-2025.    When you think of West Forsyth basketball you think of [player_tooltip player_id='1409584' first='Jacari' last='Brim']. This guys lives and breathes Titans basketball and embodies what this program is all about. Brim is an explosive, highly versatile offensive talent who plays with aggressiveness and physicality. A month removed from his recent commitment to Appalachian State University in Boone, most would think Brim doesn't have much left to prove. Wrong. This dude is a competitor at every level, and there is no doubt he'll do everything in his power to get the sour taste of last season out of his mouth. At 6'2", Brim is a well-sized guard who is an offensive playmaker. He's a consistent shooter who shot 50% from the field and 45% from three in 2023-2024. Brim is an elite ball handler who plays fast and free in the open court. He excels in transition and likes to push the break and get downhill. Brim is an elite defender who uses his size and athleticism to compete. With a promising collegiate opportunity in the mountains near in the future, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1409584' first='Jacari' last='Brim'] to be more motivated than ever to polish his game and get West Forsyth deep into the 2024-2025 postseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1837061' first='Max' last='Skillman'] is a class of 2026 prospect who I've had my eye on for a while now. I first discovered Skillman in May 2023 and have had the pleasure of watching him develop into a big-time playmaker who has started to gain the recognition he deserves. At 6'3", Skillman's physical presence sets him apart. He's a versatile combo guard/wing who utilizes a different skill every night. Skillman is a clutch scorer, elite rebounder, lock-down defender, and vocal leader on the hardwood. He's a guy who excels in whatever role his team needs from him that moment in time. Skillman's got a tremendous amount of upside as he's continued to improve his game, documented by his rise in our class of 2026 rankings, and take on a bigger role on West Forsyth's varsity squad. I am very intrigued to see how Skillman fits in with this years roster. His versatility, toughness, and jack-of-all-trades skillset puts him in a nice position to contribute meaningful minutes and be a big name on a big team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1808852' first='Kamden' last='Higgins'] is an emerging prospect from the class of 2027 who is entering a highly anticipated sophomore season with West Forsyth. With a Titan roster anchored by talented guard play, Higgins' emergence has been a slow burn so far. I think 2024-2025 is going to be a breakout year for this guy. Higgins is a high IQ, high intensity guard who's got a complete skillset and polished game. He's an elite floor general with a nice handle, versatile scorer who can get it done on the perimeter and behind the 3-point line, and is an underrated defensive player. The biggest thing for Higgins this upcoming season is establishing more of a physical presence on both ends of the floor. There's no doubt going up against [player_tooltip player_id='1409584' first='Jacari' last='Brim'] will help him do that. Higgins is a fast-pace playing guard who loves to get out in transition and produce. He's a competitive dude who understands his time is coming and is embracing his development. [player_tooltip player_id='1808852' first='Kamden' last='Higgins'] is a guy to keep an eye out for. Whether in the backcourt alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1409584' first='Jacari' last='Brim'] or an early spark off the bench, his time is coming.     Jordan Jones is a class of 2025 guy who has established himself as a fundamental piece of West Forsyth's rotation. Jones played in 25 games last season and averaged just shy of 10 ppg and 5 rpg. He's a long, athletic combo guard who is an effective scorer. Jones plays well off the ball in a Steph Curry type way where he moves well to create space and has a quick release. Jones is an elite finisher at the rim who does a nice job executing through contact. He's a tough kid who loves to compete. Jones is a reliable scorer who plays good defense and shows good leadership when he's on the floor. Those are traits the Titans will need him to continue to show as they look to compete for an NCHSAA 4A state championship in 2024-2025.       It's no secret that West Forsyth lacked depth at the 4 and 5 last season. This is where class of 2027 forward Brayden Adams comes in. Adams has a productive freshman year, averaging 4 ppg and 4 rpg. Next season is his time to show what he's all about. He'll have ample opportunities to see an increased number of minutes and production in 2024-2025. Listed at 6'4", arguably 6'5" 1/2, Adams is a long, athletic stretch 4 who is an elite rim protector and rebounder. Adams excels in the pick and roll and has proven he can score the ball when need be. I'd like to see Adams develop more of a consistent outside shot in 2024-2025. I think that will add another level of versatility to his game that will take himself and this team to another level. With Brayden Adams entering his sophomore season with West Forsyth, expect this guy to take a big jump.

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 West Forsyth, an NCHSAA powerhouse located in Clemmons, N.C., right down the road from Winston Salem.