NCHSAA 3-A West First Round (Key Games)
The NCHSAA playoffs begin on Tuesday. Here is a look some of the first round match-ups in the Western Region.
#1 Cox Mill HS vs #32 Asheboro HS–
Cox Mill HS will look to repeat as 3-A state champs hosting Asheboro High School in the first round. Cox Mill is led by 2019 W Wendell Moore and UNC signee Rechon Black. 2019 guard Cody Cline and forward Caleb Stone-Carrawell are also key contributors for one of NC’s stronger teams. Asheboro is led by Tysean Freshwater, Noah Watkins and Cody Durrant.
#16 Southwest Guilford HS vs #17 North Forsyth HS –
Anthony HicksThe defending NCHSAA 4-A state champs went down in classification this season and lost two of their top players to transfer in Kobe Langley and Keyshaun Langley. SW is led this season by 2019 Jay’Den Turner at 16.7 points per game this season and 6’3, 2019 F Christian Martin at 14 points per game. North Forsyth is led by Lees-McRae recruit Anthony Hicks and 2018 guard Deantre Petree.
#11 South Iredell HS vs #21 Enka HS–
This could be the first upset in the first round of the playoffs. Enka is loaded at the guard position and should be able to get a jump on South Iredell HS with their outside shooting from Jake Smith and Devin Bassett. In the 4-spot, Josh Walton (6-5) is one of the most athletic players in the area. South Iredell HS is led by 5-foot-11 guard Alex Angle is averaging almost 15 points per game. 6-foot-1 junior guard Greg Leichty is pouring in 14 points per game for South Iredell.
#10 North Buncombe HS vs #23 Concord HS–
With recently Western Carolina University offered small forward Ren Dyer maybe not playing until Tuesday, this is going to be a big game for senior JT Laws and junior guard Jack Ritchie. If the tandem can put together a strong game like The Blackhawks did against West Henderson is their win in the conference tournament it might give Ren Dyer a little more rest before the second-round of the playoffs. The main scoring threat for Concord is Jalen O’Neal and Jordan Stowe. Concord is playing in one of the toughest 3-A divisions in the state and have had to go against Cox Mill HS for most of the season.
#7 Kings Mountain HS vs #27 Peidmont HS–
Clemson signee Hunter TysonThis is a big match-up between two of the best in the state at the public school level. Piedmont is led by 6-foot-7 wing Hunter Tyson (Clemson) who is regarded as one of the best shooters in the state going against 6-foot-3 guard Adrian Delph (Appalachian State) for Kings Mountain HS. The guard play of Zeke Littlejohn and Eli Paysour may be too much for Piedmont to handle outside of Tyson.
27 Ashbrook HS vs #6 Reynolds HS-
Cameron June, a 5-foot-11 guard is leading Ashbrook HS this season at nearly 17 points per game. 6-foot guard Byron Sanders is the second leading scorer on the Ashbrook team at 14 points per game. Their guard play will need to be stellar to handle Reynolds HS senior guard Isaiah Pruett, who is averaging nearly 30 points per game this season. He is a 5-foo-9 blur with the ball lead guard. He has put Reynolds HS on his back all season and will help a team out next season at the college level. 2019 guard Jalen Crowder may have the best shot in Western North Carolina, he can get hot and rattle off three or four in a row.