NCHSAA Favorites: 1A Preview
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The NCHSAA season is finally underway as January rings in the 2021 year. Here’s a look at an early Top 8 of 1A squads to watch in the HoopState. 1. Henderson Collegiate Pride (1-0) The Henderson Collegiate Pride look to…
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Continue ReadingThe NCHSAA season is finally underway as January rings in the 2021 year. Here’s a look at an early Top 8 of 1A squads to watch in the HoopState.
1. Henderson Collegiate Pride (1-0)
The Henderson Collegiate Pride look to return the the 1A State title game after being named co-champions in 2019-20 alongside Winston-Salem Prep. They defeated conference rival Voyager Academy 96-55 behind strong performances from Javonte Waverly Javonte Waverly 6'3" | CG Henderson Collegiate | 2021 State NC , Omahj Evans Omahj Evans 6'1" | SF Henderson Collegiate | 2021 State NC and Akhiris Holden Akhiris Holden 6'5" | SF Henderson Collegiate | 2021 State NC . They’re a deep squad with aspirations of winning another state title.
2. Princeton Bulldogs (2-0)
It’s been smooth sailing so far in 2020-21 for the Princeton Bulldogs as they’ve outscored opponents 162-75 through the first two victories. Jaheim Taylor Jaheim Taylor 6'3" | CG Princeton | 2021 State NC , Aden Taylor Aden Taylor 6'3" | CG Princeton | 2023 State NC and Tyrese Whitley Tyrese Whitley 6'2" | CG Princeton | 2021 State NC are fun to watch given their abilities to do multiple things on both ends. They should make some noise when the state tournament arrives.
3. Granville Central Panthers (2-0)
The Granville Central Panthers are 2-0 on the young season led by Terence Harcum Terence Harcum 6'1" | CG Granville Central | 2021 State NC Jr. (App. State), unsigned guard Jamari Mann Jamari Mann 6'3" | CG Granville Central | 2021 State NC and emerging sophomore guard KJ Green KJ Green 6'1" | CG Granville Central | 2023 State NC . They’ve got a solid trio of players that play together and move the ball well offensively and defend as a unit on the defensive end. Look for them to be a top squad at the 1A level.
4. John A. Holmes Aces (1-0)
The John Holmes Aces return led by an electric scoring guard in Jewell Coston Jewell Coston 5'10" | CG Holmes | 2021 State NC looking to do more damage in 2020-21. He’s an emerging senior name due to lead a squad that went 23-2 in 2019-20 and 9-1 in Albemarle Athletic Conference action. They’ve got a 51-26 win over conference-foe Pasquotank County already. Look for them to make a run to the state title game.
5. Lincoln Charter Eagles (1-0)
Lincoln Charter Eagles return junior shooting guard Sam Cogan Sam Cogan 6'3" | SG Northside Christian | 2022 State NC and senior forward Carter Seitz Carter Seitz 6'5" | PF Lincoln Charter | 2021 State NC in 2020-21 who both put up 18 points apiece to power the squad to a 77-44 victory to open the season. Senior guard Troy Fulton Troy Fulton 6'2" | SG Lincoln Charter | 2021 State NC also had 12 points. They’re a sharpshooting yet efficient group that should make a deep run in the NCHSAA State playoffs after going 27-3 in 2019-20 and 12-0 in the Southern Piedmont Conference.
6. Mountain Island Charter Raptors (2-0)
The Mountain Island Charter Raptors went 23-6 last season and 14-0 in PAC 7 action this past season and senior returners Marquis Williams Marquis Williams 6'5" | PF Mountain Island Charter | 2021 State NC , Gabriel Stephens Gabriel Stephens 6'3" | SF Mountain Island Charter | 2021 State NC and Najee Steward Najee Steward 6'4" | SF Mountain Island Charter | 2021 State NC look to make a deeper run. They lost in the fourth round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs last season to Winston-Salem Prep and return looking to go a lot further in 2020-21.
7. Wilson Prep Tigers (0-0)
The Wilson Prep Tigers haven’t gotten their 2020-21 season underway just yet but they’re a talented group led by Nasiar Blackston Nasiar Blackston 6'4" | CG Wilson Prep | 2021 State NC , Devyn Bullock Devyn Bullock 6'5" | SF Wilson Prep | 2021 State NC , Eric Wynn Eric Wynn 6'9" | C Wilson Prep | 2021 State NC , Adrian Land and newcomers Nayshin Waller Nayshin Waller 6'3" | CG Wayne Country Day | 2023 State NC , Brandon Anderson Brandon Anderson 6'3" | PG Wilson Prep | 2024 State NC and Daidien Sutton Daidien Sutton 6'4" | SF Hunt | 2024 State NC . Look for them to make a ton of noise at the 1A level in 2020-21.
8. Louisburg Warriors
The Louisburg Warriors will have a young core leading the way in Jordan Durham Jordan Durham 6'3" | CG The Burlington School | 2024 State NC and Tymar Kearney Tymar Kearney 6'3" | SF Louisburg | 2024 State NC but, they’ll have a veteran sharpshooter on the wing in Ethan Wood and some size on the interior in sophomore forward Marcus Portis. They’re another squad that has yet to play this season, but they’ll be in action on Friday against South Granville.