WNC Conference Review
Western Mountain Athletic Conference
North Buncombe 10-1 (14-3)-Recently offered WCU recruit Ren Dyer has been putting up the biggest numbers in WNC this season, he is 3rd in the state in the scoring column at around 30 points per game and he recently scored 30 points in the 4th quarter en route to 46 points against West Henderson HS. He is a tough small forward that can knock down the mid-range shot either on the break or with a pull-up.
2019 guard Jake SmithReynolds 7-3 (13-3)-Senior guard Isaiah Pruett has had a strong start to his senior season. The 5-foot-9 point guard has put up multiple 30 point games and has proven he can knock down the big shot consistently. He has some small college interest at this point.
Enka 5-4 (10-6)-2019 guard Jake Smith has been another player in WNC that has transformed his game from this time last year. Smith spent the summer playing with Lamont Simmons and Team South Carolina and it has helped tremendously. Head Coach Brian Carver has his fundamentally sound scoring guard for the next two seasons at Enka HS and has The Jets in the thick of things coming into February.
North Henderson 5-5 (12-6)-2018 guard Jakell Gossett has taken over some of the scoring load from the departure of USC-Upstate freshman Austin Nelson. Gossett has Justin Paris’ team still right there in it before the final stretch of conference clashes end.
Tuscola 5-5 (11-5)-The play of 6-foot-7 forward Landon Henley has been phenomenal this season. He had an ankle injury a few weeks ago but is back on pace. He had his first career triple-double before the injury and is putting up big numbers again this season. He is averaging somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 points and 14 rebounds per game for The Mountaineers. Sophomore guard Max Rogers and senior Lane Kervin are also putting up some solid scoring outputs.
West Henderson 4-5 (9-7)-One bright spot for West Henderson HS is the play of sophomore guard Ben Bryson. The 6-foot-1 guard is a player, he understands the game, knows where to put the ball in certain situations and can score it off the dribble or with his pure stroke.
Asheville 3-6 (9-7)
Erwin 3-7 (7-9)
Roberson 2-8 (6-9)
Mountain Six Conference
Hendersonville 4-1 (11-5)-6-foot-10 junior Ben Beeker has came to play this season. He is averaging close to 20 points and 12 rebounds per outing for Marvin Featherstone’s Bearcats. Another athlete, Kalin Ensley is a solid player for Hendersonville and is putting up double-digit scoring and rebounding numbers each game.
Pisgah 4-1 (11-6)
Franklin 4-2 (11-5)
Brevard 2-2 (6-9)
Smoky Mountain 1-4 (7-9)
East Henderson 0-5 (5-12)
Western Highlands Conference
Mountain Heritage 4-0 (12-1)-The play of the sophomores has been key for The Cougars throughout the season. Big man Justus Shelton is starting to come on and has been near the 20 point mark more that not recently. 2019 guard Brandon Aumiller has been impressive with his athletic ability and his ability to get to the rim.
Avery County 3-1 (13-4)-UNC-Asheville recruit Deacon Heath is having one of his regular seasons’, scoring 40 here and 30 there. He is a natural scorer and has the size to compete at UNC-Asheville. Tough loss to Mountain Heritage last week. Evan Krug, a junior has been solid this season for Avery County as well.
Madison 1-1 (2-12)
Mitchell 1-2 (3-13)
Owen 1-2 (1-16)
Polk County 0-4 (2-12)
Smoky Mountain Conference
Cherokee 4-0 (8-3)-Transfer Justus Day has been showing an ability to score all season.
Hayesville 6-1 (14-3)-WCU recruit Josh Cottrell is a scorer who is fundamentally sound. He is a problem in the western part of the state when it comes time to play.
Rosman 3-2 (6-7)
Murphy 2-2 (10-3)
Swain County 3-4 (7-8)
Andrews 2-5 (6-9)
Robbinsville 1-6 (7-8)