NCISAA 3-A Playoff Predictions
The NCISAA State championships will be held at Forsyth Country Day School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on February 23 (semi-finals) and February 24 (finals).
Georgia Southern recruit Will DillardThe race for the NCISAA 3-A state title is about as hard to guess a winner as I have seen over the past 10 years of covering this state.
Favorites
Greensboro Day-You cannot overlook any program that has a head coach like Freddy Johnson. A McDonald’s All-American game coach, A Jordan Brand Classic coach, NC Hall of Fame coach and 1,000 win coach at Greensboro Day. He has Clemson recruit John Newman, Georgia Southern recruit Will Dillard, 2021 freshman sensation Carson McCorkle, and a slew of other talented players to have Greensboro Day in the finals come the 24 of February. A loss to Wesleyan Christian on Tuesday night should fuel some fire from Clemson-bound John Newman.
Christ School-Head Coach Jeff Depelteau has The Greenies playing some of their best basketball at the right time. Junior guard Jalen Lecque is one of the most electrifying players in the country. Kentucky was recently in to watch him workout and are close to offering a scholarship. Big man Brandon Stone has some high-major offers and is one of the most skilled big men in the state, 2020 F Justice Ajogbor is one of the most intriguing prospects in the country with his size and athleticism. A loss to 2-A contender Asheville Christian Academy on Tuesday night will have The Greenies working extra hard in practice before things get really tough over the coming weeks.
Providence Day-Kansas recruit Devon Dotson, Santa Clara signee Trey Wertz and unsigned wing/guard Isaac Suffren for the big three for Head Coach Brian Fields, who won it all in 2016 when the big three were sophomores and The Chargers had three other Division One players. I would not count out any team that has a point guard like Dotson and a shooter like Wertz.
Wesleyan Christian-The Keith Gatlin led Trojans always have a chance when it comes February and this season is no different. Led by Wake Forest signee Jaylen Hoard and Maryland signee Aaron Wiggins, Wesleyan has no issue in the post and wing positions, Kobe and Keyshaun Langley will provide the scoring from the guard spots. Wesleyan is coming off a big win over Greensboro Day on Tuesday night, 66-52.
Dark Horse
Cannon School-Boston College recruit Jairus Hamilton has been having the type of year that a top-100 nationally ranked recruit should have. 30+ points and 10+ rebounds on any given night. The play of senior unsigned guard Qon Murphy has been strong since The Chick-Fil-A Classic before Christmas and some college will get an under-recruited guard with him. Cannon has already knocked off Greensboro Day once this season.