NCHSAA 3A East First Round Matchups To Watch!
White Oak vs Westover: This game has a chance to be a good one as we have two teams that both have had pretty successful season and that matchup pretty well. Westover features Junior Guard Thomas Hendricks and Senior Forward Jalin Thorne while White Oak features Senior Guard Landry Gaines and Junior DJ Davis who both average double figures.
Northside Jacksonville vs Smithfield Selma: Northside has moved up to 3A from 2A but other than that, not much has changed. The Monarchs come into the playoffs this year the same way they did last year which is with an undefeated record and an impressive winning streak. If Smithfield Selma wants to stay competitive then they will need a career night from Unsigned Senior Guard Kavon Ward who is averaging over 20 points a night. Ward is familiar with this Northside team as he played AAU basketball with the same organization as many of these youngsters in the summer of 2016.
New Hanover vs Jacksonville HS: Both of these teams feature quite a few seniors, good guard play, and a strong desire to win so we should expect some fireworks in this matchup. New Hanover is the heavy favorite as they come in as the 5 seed and boast a record of 23-4 on the year. However Jacksonville HS is a team that will not be an easy out and could make things interesting if they get a bigtime game from Senior Guard Nyjear Singleton who can score a lot of points in a small amount of time.
Harnett Central vs Southern Lee: With the close proximity that these schools have to one another, this game will definitely bring in a high amount of interest and intensity. Southern Lee has quietly put together a very nice season putting together a record of 22-3. Harnett Central ‘s season has been solid so far with a record of 14-10 being led by Senior Guard Jalaan Signal’s 10 points per night efforts.
Southern Durham vs Chapel Hill: With Chapel Hill bringing in a high amount of players with height, the key to this game for Southern Durham will be Jomaru Brown. Brown is a special type of talent that can literally take over a game and that’s what we expect to see from him in this matchup, don’t be shocked to see him go for 30 points tonight.
Terry Sanford vs Triton: The Bulldogs will host this first round matchup and will look to build off of an impressive season so far which included a conference championship. However Triton will not be a team that will be eliminated easily as they are led by Seniors Shiquan Cox and Maurice Williams as well as getting production from Junior Chrishaun Henry.