NCHSAA 4A Playoff Preview: A Look at the Top 5 Seeds

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the Top 5 outlook in the East &amp; West region of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoff field as things kick off tonight!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em>&nbsp;anderson30</em></strong><em>&nbsp;for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!</em><a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30">&nbsp;Subscribe</a>&nbsp;today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Hanover is back at No. 1 and North Mecklenburg is back at No. 3 in what should be another exciting NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs. Take a look at the Top 5 seeds in each region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East – Top 5 Seeds</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1)&nbsp;<strong>New Hanover (25-2)</strong> - The Wildcats return atop the East region at No. 1 in the NCHSAA 3A field. They've won 21 games in a row and counting coming in. [player_tooltip player_id='1220122' first='Rodmik' last='Allen'] returns while [player_tooltip player_id='1950203' first='Kellum' last='Brown'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2077345' first='Nolan' last='Billings'] have shown their own growth in the lineup. They'll begin their quest back to the title game tonight against Rolesville (11-14). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2)&nbsp;<strong>Garner (23-4)</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='2299464' first='Cam' last='Reyes'] looks poised to lead the Trojans in his senior season. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2299468' first='Geren' last='Holmes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1281016' first='Kingston' last='Beale'] are a few of their 2026 prospects to know. They're a senior-laden group due to make noise in the East region. They'll open up the first round against Ashley (11-14).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3)&nbsp;<strong>Sanderson (23-3)</strong> - The Spartans are in a scary spot at the 3-seed in the East region. They're led by [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'], Gordie Balas and Malkhi Murphy as they look to put on for the 919 area. They'll look to keep their 9-game winning streak alive when they host Middle Creek (13-12) tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4) <strong>Jordan (23-3)</strong> - The Falcons are a dark horse candidate in the East region at No. 4. They've still got some of their best basketball ahead of them with [player_tooltip player_id='1280980' first='Rivers' last='Knight'], [player_tooltip player_id='2268825' first='Julian' last='Lowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1990412' first='Derek' last='Ross Jr'] leading the charge. Unsigned senior Bryce Hill is one to watch as well. They'll host Pine Forest (14-11) in the opening round tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5)&nbsp;<strong>Green Level (23-4) </strong>- The Gators are another team with more to prove with a run in the NCHSAA State Playoffs on the horizon. [player_tooltip player_id='1667677' first='Isaac' last='Ericksen'] has proven his worth while [player_tooltip player_id='1754423' first='Israel' last='Eatman'] has a lot more to prove as an unsigned senior prospect. They'll get all they can handle when Southeast Raleigh (14-12) comes to town tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West – Top 5 Seeds</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1) <strong>Lake Norman (25-1) </strong>- The Wildcats have a chip on their shoulder as the top seed in the West region. They were a few possessions away from last year's 4A Championship Game. With [player_tooltip player_id='1409597' first='Trent' last='Steinour'], [player_tooltip player_id='1907231' first='Nick' last='Arnold'], Tre McKninnon and [player_tooltip player_id='1990413' first='Josh' last='Yates'] all back, they're due for a deep run in this year's field. They'll kick things off against Cuthbertson (14-10) tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2) West Forsyth (24-3) - [player_tooltip player_id='1409584' first='Jacari' last='Brim'], [player_tooltip player_id='2919138' first='Jordan' last='Tate'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2772441' first='Kamauri' last='Manuel'] have the Titans playing well after going 13-1 in Central Piedmont Conference action. They're set to put the rest of the state on notice at the 2-seed in the West. They'll host Marvin Ridge (11-14) tonight in the first round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3) <strong>North Mecklenburg (24-3)</strong> - Last year's NCHSAA 4A State Champion returns at the 3-seed in the West. They'll have a lot more to prove with [player_tooltip player_id='1409583' first='Chadlyn' last='Traylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1680977' first='Ashton' last='Pierce'] leading the charge as they look to make it to the final weekend once again. They'll face Mallard Creek (13-13) in tonight's first-round meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4) <strong>McDowell (22-4) </strong>- [player_tooltip player_id='2093826' first='Rylan' last='Parkins'], Kyson Rinnert and Derrick Forney Jr. are a solid trio to watch for the Titans as they look to end their final year of high school with a bang. They'll look to stay in the win-column tonight with a meeting against Hough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5)<strong> Independence (21-5)</strong> - Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2055667' first='Jaxson' last='Neely'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2772410' first='Lusemo' last='Macharia'] look to put the rest of the region on notice in the NCHSAA 4A Playoff picture. First up for them to prove themselves: they'll look to unseat Palisades (13-12) and big man [player_tooltip player_id='2243806' first='Aurek' last='Fenn'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->