New Faces in New Places: Independence High is a Force

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Independence High isn't wasting any time getting prepared for the 2025-26 season as [player_tooltip player_id='1226604' first='Brent' last='Banks'] (Carolina International School) and [player_tooltip player_id='2298570' first='Christan' last='Jones'] (Mountain Island Charter) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em> anderson30</em></strong><em> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!<a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30"> Subscribe</a></em> today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence High is set to be a top team in the NCHSAA ranks as another season of high school hoops quickly approaches. They're a well-rounded group already with [player_tooltip player_id='2772410' first='Lusemo' last='Macharia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2055667' first='Jaxson' last='Neely'] returning, but they've added even more firepower as a few new names emerge with the Patriots. 2026 Dylan McFarland and [player_tooltip player_id='2891283' first='Sawyer' last='Fike'] have both made their cases to gain traction on the recruiting trail over the past few months. The additions of [player_tooltip player_id='1226604' first='Brent' last='Banks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2298570' first='Christan' last='Jones'] should move the needle even more for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/indybball1967/status/1943849039797399741","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/indybball1967/status/1943849039797399741 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes will certainly be on Neely and Macharia. Both were a part of the Patriots' well-balanced attack this past season. Macharia produced 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while Neely posted 9.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. They're a solid core to build around as they look to build off their 23-6 record from a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226604' first='Brent' last='Banks']</strong>: Banks saw his season cut short in 2024-25 due to injury, though he was well on his way to producing as he usually does; he put up 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest before being sidelined; he'll look to bounce back with a vengeance with a fresh start in 2025-26; he's a lead guard with a high IQ for scoring and making things happen off the bounce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2298570' first='Christan' last='Jones']</strong>: arguably one of the more underrated 2027 prospects in the class; the 6-foot guard produced 30.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 assists this past season as a sophomore; he shot 53 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range while finishing third overall in scoring average in the state of North Carolina, according to MaxPreps; his prowess scoring the ball will certainly be looked upon to take pressure off of others but it will also be interesting to see how he coexists with veteran talent on the floor as well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->