NCHSAA 4A East Preview – Who To Watch?
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Millbrook- Colt Langdon Colt Langdon 6'7" | SG Millbrook | 2025 State #114 Nation NC is quickly becoming a name that not only North Carolina hoops fans know, but national fans know as well. He’s an elite shooter with a…
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Continue ReadingMillbrook- Colt Langdon Colt Langdon 6'7" | SG Millbrook | 2025 State #114 Nation NC is quickly becoming a name that not only North Carolina hoops fans know, but national fans know as well. He’s an elite shooter with a smooth lefty jumper that he can get off both on the catch and off the dribble. His size also allows him to be an efficient scorer inside, especially out of the mid-post where he can put smaller guards in a box as they try and defend him. He will be a joy to watch night in and night out for this group. However, this group really will feed off of senior leader Gabriel Cerda Gabriel Cerda 5'10" | CG Millbrook | 2023 State NC . He is a dog defensively and provides a maturity and leadership on the court that is matched by very few others in the state. Jayan Walker Jayan Walker 6'5" | SG Combine Academy | 2024 State NC and Brandon Callahan are both area transfers that will provide some much needed scoring punch as complementary guys that are D1 prospects of their own. Jacob Lawton Jacob Lawton 5'8" | PG Millbrook | 2024 State NC is very undersized, but he makes up for it in his downhill driving and defensive intensity. He makes the right read all the time. This group has retooled and will be a powerhouse once again.
Jordan- Jordan has lost some guys to transfers, but has once again retooled to stay near the top of the pile. They will be led by Walker Woodall Walker Woodall 6'6" | SG Jordan | 2023 State NC , who is a big off-ball guard/wing who has a quick trigger and can knock down the long ball at a high clip. He makes the right reads off the bounce and shows why he can be a high volume guy night in and night out. RJ Bridges RJ Bridges 6'4" | CG Jordan | 2023 State NC and Javier Ortiz Javier Ortiz 6'4" | SF Southern Durham | 2024 State NC will be solid supporting pieces that do a bit of everything well and make the right plays consistently. Some younger guys to watch include Derek Ross, a quick playmaking point guard that will be a threat in transition with his ability to score and pass, and Rivers Knight Rivers Knight 6'9" | PF Combine Academy | 2026 State NC , a 6’8 freshman big who is continuing to develop a well rounded offensive game that stretches his range out to the three point line. Overall, this team is solid from top to bottom and will be consistently good throughout the year.
Panther Creek- Panther Creek may have made a surprise state championship final, but they bring a lot of guys back and are so well coached that they should be right back near the top of the pile. Amari Odom Amari Odom 6'3" | CG Panther Creek | 2023 State NC is a dual threat athlete who is a star in both, but on the basketball court, he is a big time playmaker who makes his teammates better with his vision and spacing on the court. Caleb Surgers Caleb Surgers 6'6" | PF Panther Creek | 2023 State NC is a big wing who impacts the game with his activity on defense and rebounding as well as his ability to finish downhill. His size is prototypical for a D1 athlete and makes him a name to watch on the recruiting circuit this year. Amari Richardson Amari Richardson 5'11" | CG Panther Creek | 2023 State NC is shifty and quick and should be a good dual threat to both make plays and score. Their bigs Greg Ehlinger Greg Ehlinger 6'9" | C Panther Creek | 2024 State NC and Logan Ware both will stretch the floor and attack the glass with consistency. This team will be right back near the top this year.
Holly Springs- Holly Springs is so loaded with talent and plays so well together that a state championship should be the biggest thing on their minds this year. Collin Kuhl Collin Kuhl 6'8" | SF Holly Springs | 2023 State NC is probably the guy who will average the most points every night, and you can see why with his mid-post ability as well as his rim running. He will also be a huge presence on the boards with his jumping ability and overall high motor. Micah Jones Micah Jones 5'11" | PG Holly Springs | 2023 State NC is a floor general that despite his size, offers great playmaking ability and leadership for this squad. His athleticism helps him makes those plays as well as getting downhill and attacking the rim with skill. Ryan Crotty Ryan Crotty 6'6" | SG Miller School | 2025 State VA has a burner from deep and is one of the best shooters in the state, but has improved his off the dribble scoring game to make him a viable D1 guy in college. 2025 Jake Cackovic is a developing wing/big who stretches the floor well for his size, but still has game off the dribble with his athleticism and strength. Holly Springs continues to be a pipeline for skilled players, and this year’s roster is no different.
Check back soon for our final class preview of the pre-season with the NCHSAA 4A West!