An Early Early Look at 5 (4-A Division)
The 4-A division is the biggest in the state of North Carolina. Here is a look at some of the teams that will be battling out come March for a state title.
Patrick WilliamsWest Charlotte-The addition of Alabama commit Juwan Gary instantly puts the Lions back in the race for another 4-A state title on the west side of North Carolina’s biggest city. Gary along with 6’7 guard/forward/do-it-all Patrick Williams and senior guard Cartier Jernigan, the Lions will look for their first title since 2011.
Independence HS-Another Queen City team, Independence won it all last season behind the play of Wichita State freshman Jamarius Burton. Burton is now gone, but 80% of the firepower returns for The Patriots. Tyler Harris, a 6-6 wing just committed to Western Carolina, Matt Smith is a 6-6 four/undersized five that is being recruited at the CAA, Big South, So/Con level, Raja Milton and Audra McKee round out the guard spots for Preston Davis. Davis won a title with Independence in his playing days.
Rocky River HS-One word. Jaden. The number two player in the PrepHoopsNC rankings, Jaden Springer is a top 15 recruit nationally and offered by nearly everyone in the country. NC State has been on him the hardest and he is a player that can take over a game at any point. He had a great summer with B. Maze Elite and should have Rocky River making it at least as far as they did last season to the final four in Greensboro.
South Central HS-UNC commit Day’Ron Sharpe returns for head coach Cherry and so does Shykeim Phillips, a do-it-all guard with great size and athleticism. South Central was the victim last season of a poorly organized playoff system and were taken down in the regionals by Heritage HS. Sharpe went ahead and committed to UNC and head coach Roy Williams as a sophomore and can focus solely on winning a state championship this time around.
Northwest Guilford-Lee Reavis does as good of a job as anyone in the state at taking what he has and always surprising people in March. This season, Reavis doesn’t have as hard of a job. 2020 Dean Rieber is one of the most skilled big men in the state and has offers from High Point and is getting interest from a host of other schools. Christian Hampton is one of the more athletic players in the state and is also attracting college attention.