The team to beat at this stage in the season within the 4-A classification of the NCHSAA playoffs is Butler High School. The Bulldogs have rattled off a school record 26 wins with no blemishes. Here is a look at…
The team to beat at this stage in the season within the 4-A classification of the NCHSAA playoffs is Butler High School. The Bulldogs have rattled off a school record 26 wins with no blemishes. Here is a look at the playoffs for the 4-A class.
W1 (1) David W. Butler (26-0) vs. MW16 (31) R.J. Reynolds (12-12)
MW8 (16) Richmond (19-6) vs. W9 (18) Zebulon B. Vance (21-6)
This could turn into another match-up of Charlotte area teams in the second round as Vance HS will likely take on Butler HS. Vance has a high-scoring guard in Cam Hamilton and this could be quite a interesting 2nd round game. It will be a packed house so get there early.
W5 (8) Olympic (19-7) vs. MW12 (22) Rocky River (16-10)
MW4 (10) Dudley (14-9) vs. W13 (25) South Mecklenburg (15-11)
I would predict Olympic HS meeting up with Dudley HS in this match-up. The freshman sensation Jaden Springer and sophomore RaQuan Brown will be a lot for Olympic HS in the first round, but head coach Barenton Terry has been here before. Olympic has not lost since before the new year.
W3 (5) North Mecklenburg (22-3) vs. MW14 (28) East Forsyth (14-12)
MW6 (13) Northwest Guilford (20-5) vs. W11 (23) Charlotte Catholic (16-11)
Northwest Guilford HS will be too much for Charlotte Catholic and North Meck too much for East Forsyth. I predict NWG HS getting by North Meck HS in a good game. We predict Tre Turner, Thomas Hennigan and Jalen Spicer and their experience may be a little too much for Vaud Worthy, Jaelyn Withers and Tristan Maxwell.
W7 (11) Alexander Central (19-8) vs. MW10 (20) Ben L. Smith (16-9)
MW2 (4) West Forsyth (24-2) vs. W15 (30) East Mecklenburg (13-12)
West Forsyth HS will advance to the sectionals out of this group. The strong play of KJ Henry, LaRue brothers and company will be too much for the 2-loss squad.
MW1 (3) Southwest Guilford (22-3) vs. W16 (32) Mooresville (14-13)
W8 (15) Independence (21-6) vs. MW9 (17) Pinecrest (21-5)
A match-up between SWG and Independence looks to be the outcome after the 1st round. Independece is led by 6-foot-9 Temple signee Justyn Hamilton and Chae Johnson at the guard. The young duo of Kobe and Keyshaun Langley along with senior Kam Hamilton will be too much for the Patriots.
MW5 (12) Page (17-9) vs. W12 (24) Ardrey Kell (15-11)
W4 (7) Lake Norman (19-7) vs. MW13 (27) Parkland (14-11)
I predict Ardrey Kell to get past Lake Norman in the 2nd round behind the play of North Florida signee Wes Morgan. Morgan is one of the best shooters in the state.
MW3 (6) Hoke County (20-6) vs. W14 (26) West Charlotte (13-10)
W6 (9) South Caldwell (14-11) vs. MW11 (21) High Point Central (15-9)Hoke County should be good advancing to the 3rd round. Hoke County is always a tough team when the playoffs get into full swing.
MW7 (14) Mount Tabor (21-6) vs. W10 (19) Mallard Creek (18-7)
W2 (2) McDowell (24-2) vs. MW15 (29) Ronald Reagan (14-12)
In the 2nd round I would see Mt. Tabor HS and McDowell HS matching up. Tabor is well coached by Andy Muse and McDowell has leaders in Skyler McKinney and Tanner Dillingham. The difference in this game could be the amount of talented teams that Tabor has played compared to McDowell.