NCHSAA 3A Standouts: 2023s
In this article:
There’s roughly two weeks left in the public school basketball season in North Carolina. Here’s a look at some of the sophomore standouts on the 3A level. Jamal Townsend Jamal Townsend 6'0" | CG Northern Nash | 2023 State NC…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere’s roughly two weeks left in the public school basketball season in North Carolina. Here’s a look at some of the sophomore standouts on the 3A level.
Jamal Townsend Jamal Townsend 6'0" | CG Northern Nash | 2023 State NC | 6’0 Guard | Rocky Mount
Townsend is a big reason why the Gryphons are off toe a 6-0 start. He leads the way in scoring and rebounds entering his sophomore season on the varsity squad. He’s putting up 21.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.3 spg as a relentless backcourt presence. He can score it on all three levels and likes to push the pace off rebounds to make things happen. He’s got a ton of potential in this class to be special.
JJ Moore JJ Moore 5'9" | PG Quality Education | 2024 NC | 5’10 Point Guard | Huss
Moore is another prospect with a ton of potential to be special in this class given his ability to control the pace of the game at the point guard spot. He’s leading the team in scoring (17.9 ppg), assists (4.6 apg) and steals (4.8 spg) despite just being a sophomore in the Huss rotation. He’s an electric guard that never stops coming at you or making an impact on either end of the floor. College coaches: Get eyes on him ASAP!
Rico Walker Rico Walker 6'3" | SF Hickory | 2023 State NC | 6’4 Forward/Wing | Hickory
Walker has been a model of consistency in the Hickory rotation as they’ve reeled off six-straight victories since opening the season with a loss to McDowell. He’s put up 12.6 ppg while showing off his ability to finish with authority and play multiple spots on the floor. He’s a highly-recruited football prospect already.
Deandre Lynch Deandre Lynch 6'3" | C Rocky Mount | 2023 State NC | 6’5 Power Forward/Center | Rocky Mount
Lynch is a strong presence in the frontcourt for Rocky Mount that’s done well manning the boards and protecting the paint so far in 2020-21. He’s averaging 11.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.0 bpg this season as he continues to develop as a big man in the post. He’s relentless battling on the boards and uses his size well to make plays around the rim. As he develops into a double-double threat, look for his stock to grow.
Patrick Tivnan Patrick Tivnan 6'8" | C Charlotte Catholic | 2023 State NC | 6’7 Forward/Center | Charlotte Catholic
Tivnan is a solid stretch-forward option in the Charlotte Catholic High rotoation that’s put up solid numbers rebounding and scoring the ball in 2020-21. He’s already put up a season-high 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting back on Jan. 26 and is producing 9.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg in the frontcourt this season. He can knock down shots on the perimeter and in the midrange area but does well around the rim finishing in the paint.
Marquez Cotton Marquez Cotton 6'4" | PF East Chapel Hill | 2023 State NC | 6’4 Forward/Wing | East Chapel Hill
Cotton does a lot more than score the basketball at East Chapel Hill and it shows in his numbers as he’s averaging more rebounds than points in 2020-21. He’s posted 4.7 ppg, 7.7 pg, 1.9 apg and 1.0 spg through their first eight games of the season. He’s racked up double-figures in rebounds in three games this season. He’s a versatile forward that uses his length well to fly around on both ends to make an impact.
Masaun Moore-Bryant Masaun Moore-Bryant 6'0" | PG Cape Fear | 2023 State NC | 5’10 Guard | Cape Fear
Moore-Bryant has picked up where he left off from the grassroots stage with the Cape Fear Colts in the high school season. He’s posted 15.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.6 rpg and 2.3 spg in their backcourt at the lead guard spot. He put up a season-high 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point land against South View this past Thursday. He’s a wiry slasher to keep an eye on in the Fayetteville area that’s on the rise.