NCHSAA Sweet 16 Preview: A Look at the Matchups in 1A & 2A

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the matchups and potential upsets brewing in the NCHSAA Sweet 16 of the state playoffs on Tuesday.</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:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(8) Lejeune @ (1) Washington County</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington County has held firm on the 1A East top seed as they took down Chatham Charter, 85-53, in Round 2. [player_tooltip player_id='2311776' first='Brandon' last='Carter'] Jr. went off for 39 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists in that one. Junior Brandon Spruill had 11 points and eight rebounds as well. Lejeune will look to take down the 1-seed tonight led by [player_tooltip player_id='2525673' first='Connor' last='Shea'] and Devon Charles. They combined for 46 points in their Round 2 victory over Ocracoke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(5) Wake Prep Academy @ (4) Voyager Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A well-balanced attack saw Voyager Academy win easily in the second round, 80-47, as three players finished scoring in double figures in a game that saw 11 players register points. They'll host a Wake Prep Academy squad who took down Vance Charter, 72-57, in Round 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(14) Bertie @ (6) Northampton County</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bertie took down Lakewood, 52-42, behind Zymiere Dempsey's 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four steals. He did whatever it took to hold Lakewood to it's lowest point-total of the season. Now, they'll have to beat a Northampton County squad they defeated 75-57 back on December 21 to get to the Elite Eight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(7) Chatham Central @ (2) Southern Wake Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Wake Academy ran away with things in Round 2 against Warren County, winning 73-41. Chatham Central knocked off last year's NCHSAA 1A State Champions, Wilson Prep, 61-58, in Round 2. They'll look to go on the road and give the Lions their first home loss of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(9) North Rowan @ (1) Bishop McGuinness</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1372455' first='Nicholas' last='Graves'] posted 30 points for the Villains in Round 2's victory over Uwharrie Charter as they look to clinch their seventh NCHSAA State Championship this season. North Rowan filled it up with 109 points in Round 2 against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. They'll look to push the pace against the top-seed in the 1A West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(13) Carolina International @ (5) Corvian Community</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corvian Community was last year's Cinderella story in 1A and this season, [player_tooltip player_id='2149164' first='RJ' last='Moore'] has them playing like a top team in the state. Carolina International has taken down a top-seed already with their Round 2 defeat of 4-seed Mountain Island Charter, 61-56. They'll need to play another poised contest as [player_tooltip player_id='2502840' first='KJ' last='Shouse'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2840734' first='Josiah' last='Bridges'] continue to emerge as stars in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(22) East Wilkes @ (3) Queen's Grant</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Wilkes has been this year's Cinderella story in the NCHSAA 1A West as they find themselves against 3-seed Queen's Grant in Round 3. They'll look to keep things close, though they're just 5-6 on the road this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2194576' first='Bobby' last='Montgomery III'], [player_tooltip player_id='2268798' first='Cannon' last='DeBerry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2194641' first='Mekhi' last='Allen'] are stars in the making for the Stallions and playing well so far in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">(7) Eastern Randolph @ (2) South Stokes</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats and [player_tooltip player_id='1743446' first='Tim' last='Brower'] are playing with a chip on their shoulder heading into a big game with 2-seed South Stokes. The Sauras have won 20 games and counting and are fresh off a 94-69 victory over Carver in Round 2. Unsigned senior Korrin N'Diaye posted 35 points in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Eastern Wayne @ 1 Farmville Central</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have handled business through the first two rounds as Eastern Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams'] looks to go out with a bang. Eastern Wayne is a scrappy bunch led by [player_tooltip player_id='1672426' first='Charlie' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2690201' first='Michael' last='Bailey'] who should give Farmville Central all they can handle tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5 Northeastern @ 4 West Bladen </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top seeds prevailed on the 2A East side as 4 meets 5 in what should be a scrappy, defensive battle. [player_tooltip player_id='2418471' first='Chase' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220139' first='Hezekiah' last='Blanks-Adams'] are playing strong together for West Bladen while [player_tooltip player_id='1226597' first='EJ' last='Sutton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220134' first='Tyell' last='Saunders'] remain names to know for Northeastern. Look for this one to come down to the wire!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 South Granville @ 3 Northwood</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two well-coached teams, look for this one to come down to the wire as well! A rematch of a game that saw Northwood take home a 63-56 victory in South Granville, the Vikings look to return the favor. The Vikings have [player_tooltip player_id='1220114' first='Mason' last='Brown'] peaking at the right time and fresh off a 23-point, 16-rebound performance in Round 2's victory. [player_tooltip player_id='2415811' first='KJ' last='Terry'] remains a high-level prospect for them as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1411220' first='Cameron' last='Fowler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1411210' first='Chad' last='Graves'] will look to hold court and win possibly their final home game in front of a raucous crowd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">7 Martin County @ 2 Southwest Onslow</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2299979' first='Jordan' last='Matthewson'] will look to keep the Gators season alive as they go on the road to Southwest Onslow tonight. The Stallions have enjoyed the emergence of Malekhi Hutcinson to pair alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1990353' first='Rue' last='Chapman']'s exploits in the backcourt this season as they look to advance to the Elite Eight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Monroe @ 1 Reidsville</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe will look to end Reidsville's unbeaten streak as they enter as the favorites to win at all at 27-0. [player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'], [player_tooltip player_id='1382077' first='Johnniyus' last='Sharpe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison'] are a tough trio to defend and have proven such through the first two rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">12 Lincolnton @ 4 Salisbury</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincolnton took down 5-seed Maiden, 72-69, in overtime as the legend of LJ Smith continues to grow. He put up 20 points while Tyler McClain also posted 20 points in the upset victory. Now, they'll look to upset Salisbury tonight. [player_tooltip player_id='1916752' first='Myles' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2971959' first='Braylon' last='Taylor'] are the names to know for the top-seed Hornets in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6 Lincoln Charter @ 3 North Surry</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsigned senior Kam McKnight posted 22 points and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2843411' first='Fisher' last='Leftwich'] posted 19 points for North Surry in their Round 2 victory over Community School of Davidson. They'll look to keep things going against Lincoln Charter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">15 Bandys @ 7 Shelby</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bandys has enjoyed two double-digit victories through two rounds so far with 2-seed Randleman upset in the opening round. [player_tooltip player_id='2093887' first='Landon' last='Vaughan'] is playing strong with his season on the line in the NCHSAA Playoffs. They'll look to go on the road and defeat a tough Shelby squad, led by Tee Hollifield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->