NCISAA Playoff Time: 2A Prospects To Watch (Part One)

There are so many talented players in the NCISAA 2A classification this year and it's shaping up to be one of the most competitive classifications in NC regardless of private or public. With traditional powers, some fresh faces, and multiple programs in that "championship or bust" mindset, we have an incredible set of games on our hands to take place over the next couple of weeks. Without further delay, let's take a deeper look at some of the individual prospects in the NCISAA 2A Classification.    Greenfield has secured the number one seed with a 25-5 record and [player_tooltip player_id='1280933' first='Kobe' last='Edwards'] has had a special senior season full of magical moments along the way. Greenfield has played the kind of schedule that prepares teams for the kind of playoff run this group is looking to have. For Greenfield this season, Edwards is averaging 23.0 Points, 4.1 Rebounds, 6.9 Assists, 2.4 Steals, and 0.5 Blocks per game. All of that is on 49/32/79 splits as he's improving both his percentage and volume from three over the previous years in his HS career. Edwards makes this team go, he's their leader on and off the floor for a group with a lot of talent on it but nobody as in control or as experienced as Edwards. The break through they had winning the John Wall is something this group believes can help take them to the top of the NCISAA 2A classification. Edwards recently opened his recruitment up and is peaking at the right time heading into this playoff run. It would be a fairytale ending for what has been an impressive high school career for [player_tooltip player_id='1280933' first='Kobe' last='Edwards'].     Kendrick is one of the main pieces in what is the best offensive starting five in North Carolina at Caldwell Academy. This group has locked up the 2nd overall seed behind Greenfield with a 19-9 record on the season. Kendrick possesses elite end to end speed + the ability to change pace/direction whenever he wants. He understands pace better than most guards his age, making him a truly advanced PG. Kendrick throws timely, on target passes that most players simply aren't capable of making, allowing his teammates to get great looks in the process. He and [player_tooltip player_id='1454560' first='Ayden' last='Johnson'] have a great connection in the backcourt and feed off of one another's success. Kendrick's strength and athleticism have taken another leap throughout the course of this season. He's getting above the rim with more consistency and is showing the ability to finish through contact at the rim better than he did previously. Kendrick is poised for a big playoff run at Caldwell + a special spring/summer travel ball season that should elevate his recruitment to a true national level.     Lowe has been a consistent presence for The Burlington School all season long with his shot-making, nose for the ball, and simply having the ability to fit in with anyone. TBS is the 3rd overall seed in the NCISAA 2A bracket with a 16-11 record as they've played one of NC's toughest schedules this season. Lowe is averaging 12.3 Points, 5.1 Rebounds, 1.3 Assists, and 0.8 Steals per game. He's doing all of that on 45/39/81 shooting splits. Lowe's ability as a low maintenance yet still consistent producer will translate with him regardless of the team or level he's on. The nose for the ball, consistency from the outside, and ability to be a true two way connector make him a very appealing prospect. He's also an elite student which should make those high academic schools even more intrigued with the wing shooter from TBS.     Caldwell has been North Carolina's most dominant big man all season long and it's easy to see why within a few minutes of viewing him. He's got a remarkable strong frame, great vertical pop, and incredible interior instincts at both ends of the floor. Fayetteville Academy is 24-6 on the season and have found themselves as the #4 overall seed in the NCISAA 2A classification. The Georgetown Signee is averaging 25.4 Points, 9.8 Rebounds, 0.9 Assists, and 0.7 Blocks per game this season. Caldwell continues to show flashes of his outside touch which has been steadily developing over the course of his high school career. More than ever as a senior, Caldwell has embraced who he is which is a dominant physical force that keeps the opposition up at night the day before the game. He can impose his will on just about anybody and is looking to put the best two weeks of his career together to help lead Fayetteville Academy to an NCISAA 2A title.     Britt is a very talented young guard that has helped Gaston Christian to a 17-11 record and the #5 seed in the NCISAA 2A Bracket. The Sophomore is averaging 13.1 Points, 2.7 Rebounds, 4.2 Assists, and 1.6 Steals per game this season. He's doing all of that on 53/35/73 shooting splits as well. Britt possesses a tight handle, a quick first step, and outside touch making him a truly tough check in the backcourt. Britt's ability to control a game is very advanced at this stage of his career and that should really help him as these games will be close down the stretch in the playoffs. Britt is naturally aggressive, making his presence felt throughout the entirety of the game. The stage is set for a breakout playoff run from Britt, if he can help lead this group deep into the playoffs, it will be a statement about his ability to win meaningful games at a young age, the most important skill for a PG... winning.     Talk about a motor that simply doesn't stop running, Western Carolina Signee [player_tooltip player_id='1280878' first='Antonio' last='McKoy'] is a freight train coming to help bring Harrels Christian to the promised land. Finishing 26-7 on the season, Harrells Christian is the #6 seed in the NCISAA 2A Classification. McKoy is averaging 27.8 Points, 10.4 Rebounds, 2.9 Assists, 1.9 Steals, and 0.8 Blocks per game. All of that is 59/28/56 shooting splits. Those are the kind of numbers when combined with a state championship, get you in the Gatorade Player of the Year conversation. McKoy's outside touch is still developing but that hasn't stopped him from being uber aggressive and getting to the rim whenever he wants. His handle, body control, and explosiveness make him an unrelenting downhill force. He's vastly improved as a playmaker as well, it's clear that the game has slowed down for him over the past year or so. Western Carolina did an incredible job in both the evaluation and recruitment of McKoy, he's looking to get some new jewelry before starting the next chapter of his basketball career.

There are so many talented players in the NCISAA 2A classification this year and it's shaping up to be one of the most competitive classifications in NC regardless of private or public. With traditional powers, some fresh faces, and multiple programs in that "championship or bust" mindset, we have an incredible set of games on our hands to take place over the next couple of weeks. Without further delay, let's take a deeper look at some of the individual prospects in the NCISAA 2A Classification.