My Predictions: 1-A, 2-A, 3-A & 4-A
My Predictions: NCHSAA 1-A, 2-A, 3-A and 4-A Champs
UNC signee Rechon BlackIn the 4-A, The Butler High School Bulldogs are in prime position to finally get that coveted state championship. Head Coach Myron Lowery returns Queens University recruit DJ Little (72-11 record while at Butler) and New Orleans recruit Gerrale Gates (Player of the Year in the SW 4-A last season). Newcomers Raquan Brown (offers from Charlotte and Hampton) at small forward, 2021 guard Jordan McPhatter, one of the top freshmen in the state.
Also in 4-A, Greensboro Smith HS features one of the top 2020 wings in the class with Silas Mason, 2020 point guard Camren Hayes, Fayetteville State signee Jalen Gamble, Fayetteville State signee Jordan Crutchfield, Charlotte signee Isaiah Bigelow and Brown signee Jailyn Gainey.
In the 3-A classification, it will be hard to stop Cox Mil High School from repeating. The Chargers return PrepHoopNC’s Top ranked 2019 player in Wendell Moore. Moore recently picked up an offer from Duke University and is the returning NCBCA Player of the Year for all classifications. Cox Mill also received the transfer of North Carolina signee Rechon Black to bolster the roster even more. 6-foot-6 Caleb Stone-Carrawell also returns off last season’s 3-A state championship team.
In 2-A, Kinston returns 2019 guard Damian Dunn, freshman Dontrez Styles is the next big thing out of the basketball powerhouse. Greene Central High School will be as well with the return of Imajae Dodd. Northside (Jacksonville) loses one of their key players in Zach Hobbs but returns a good nucleus. I would give the early favorite to Kinston. Kinston is well-coached, has the veterans and also have the key talent needed in the younger players to make a deep run.
In 1-A, Lincoln Charter returns everyone off of their state championship last season. Presbyterian recruit Kody Shubert leads the charge along with La’Vontae Knox and sharpshooter Jackson Gabriel. Also returning is 6-foot-4 shooting guard London England.