NCHSAA 3A Playoff Preview: A Look at the Top 5 Seeds

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the Top 5 outlook in the East & West region of the NCHSAA 3A State Playoff field as things kick off tonight!</h3>   USE CODE anderson30 for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!<a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30"> Subscribe</a> today!   With Central Cabarrus at No. 31 in the field and Seventy-First at No. 6, we could see a few different teams in the Finals on March 10. Take a look at the Top 5 seeds in each region.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West – Top 5 Seeds</h2>   1) Ashbrook (23-3) - The Greenwave come in led by a strong senior cast. Isaac Byers Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id='2301225' first='Jamari' last='Smith'] have been key in the backcourt attack. [player_tooltip player_id='2301223' first='Jamarion' last='Patton']'s presence in the paint has been strong. With juniors Ayron Jackson and Jayden Armstrong coming up, they'll look to be a strong top seed with West Charlotte (10-14) in the first round.   2) East Henderson (26-0) - The only unbeaten team in the NCHSAA 3A field, the Eagles are led by [player_tooltip player_id='2093827' first='Caiden' last='Brewer']. He's averaging 27.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.7 steals per game. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2711243' first='Jaylin' last='Brewer'] is right behind him with 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. They're a well-rounded group with upperclassmen experience with a lot to prove. They'll host Central Cabarrus (12-13) in the first round.   3) Dudley (17-7) - [player_tooltip player_id='2055662' first='CJ' last='Jones'] is one of the top shooting guards in the 2026 class and he's largely shown it in leading the Panthers with 19.3 points per game on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range this season. They'll look to get through Forestview (11-13) in the first round. With Ben L. Smith lurking at the 11th seed in the West region, should things go well, the two conference rivals could meet in the third round, set for Tuesday, March 4.   4) Robinson (24-3) - The Bulldogs are a physical bunch led by senior guard David Frazier in the backcourt. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1454518' first='Tre' last='Harlee'], Noah Speller and Jamell Reid have shown what they can do as well. They've got some depth at their disposal to make a deep run in the playoffs. They'll face a scrappy Rockingham County squad, led by [player_tooltip player_id='2375831' first='Dalton' last='Johnson'], who's been quite the prolific lead guard for their team in his senior season.   5) North Lincoln (21-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='1569217' first='Ty' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1744976' first='Kellen' last='Karr'] come in looking to go out with a bang for the Knights. Karr has shown he can fill up the stat sheet with four triple-doubles and 22 double-doubles in 2024-25. Sanders has produced 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He presents his own dynamic to the backcourt/wing position. They'll look to keep their 15-game winning streak going when they face North Henderson (15-11) in the first-round.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East – Top 5 Seeds</h2>   1) Swansboro (21-1) - The Pirates look to make a deeper run than the Elite Eight in last year's NCHSAA State Playoffs. They return [player_tooltip player_id='1361282' first='Jermaine' last='Cunningham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1990377' first='Tay' last='Tangiora'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1990376' first='Jonah' last='Holt'] who are playing some of their best basketball. Elijah McCallister leads the way with 4.7 assists per game as well. They'll face Carrboro (13-13), who are led by a young prospect in Bakari Watkins.   2) Southern Durham (25-2) - They've won 17 straight games coming in led by Butler commit [player_tooltip player_id='1225444' first='Jackson' last='Keith'] and budding star [player_tooltip player_id='2623267' first='AJ' last='Morman']. They're a scrappy defensive bunch who get after in on both ends as a group. Look for them to be tough to beat in the West region. They'll open up the first round against Williams (11-15) tonight.   3) JH Rose (20-4) - The Rampants lost just once in 3A/4A Big Carolina Conference action this season. Unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='2362603' first='Justin' last='Grimes'] has a lot to prove in his final season. [player_tooltip player_id='2252142' first='Caleb' last='Knight'], [player_tooltip player_id='2305929' first='Kasyn' last='Chase'] and Torrey Brown are names to know as well. They'll host South Johnston (12-13) in the first round tonight.   4) Person (25-2) - The Rockets are riding a 12-game winning streak as the No. 4 seed in the East region. They've won some close battles coming into this year's NCHSAA Playoffs. They're one of a few dark horse candidate to watch in the East. They'll open up against Currituck County (14-12) in the first round.   5) Northern Nash (19-5) - [player_tooltip player_id='1948021' first='CJ' last='Rosser'] is set to lead the Knights as he's seemingly gotten better as the season's progressed. The 6-foot-9 wing/forward is posting 18.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in his sophomore season. Christian Barnes and Jahmarzea Williams are a few other names to keep a close eye on. They'll open up the first round against Union Pines (14-11) tonight.