NCHSAA 4-A Elite Eight Preview
The NCHSAA 4-A Final 8 is set. Here is a breakdown of the games along with college prospects from each game.
Rocky River HS vs Butler HS
Jaden SpringerJaden Springer has propelled Rocky River HS to it’s first ever 20-win season while putting up some crazy numbers. He was tremendous in a win over #1 seed North Mecklenburg HS on Saturday night in a win. The sensational sophomore scored 29 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, had six blocks and fished out five assists in the North Meck upset. Sophomore guard Trayden Williams scored 17 points including the game-winning three-pointer late in the game. Butler HS advances to the Regional semi-finals with a win over Scotland County HS, Butler got 21 points from Queens University recruit DJ Little and 15 from Gerrale Gates, who has committed to New Orleans and 2019 Raquan Brown scored 13 points in the win. This will be a match-up between two of the theee top teams in the Southwestern 4-A conference.
Olympic HS vs Independence HS
Is there anyone in the state playing better than 2018 guard Jamarius Burton of Independence HS? 33 points on saturday nignt in a win against a very good Adrey Kell HS team. The Patriots have been getting double-digit scoring efforts from 2019 prospects Au’dra McKee and Matt Smith on a regular basis to supplement Burton’s scoring and are playing team basketball at a high-level. Olympic HS advances to the round of eight with a win over Page HS out of Greensboro in OT. Josh Banks had 29 points and JB Truesdale added 20 for The Trojans. Banks has been the backbone of the team all season, putting up lofty numbers for the Trojans.
Heritage HS vs Broughton HS
East Carolina recruit Jayden Gardner has been on a tear throughout the season and it has transferred into the playoffs. His rebounding ability is un-matched. He is a strong powerful forward for Heritage High School and is scoring at a high rate. Virginia Tech recruit Jerran McAllister is the other part of the two-punch at Heritage. The size advantage should be critical for Heritage in advancing to the next round. Broughton has knocked off Jordan HS and Knightdale HS to advance to this fourth-round game. The Caps are 26-2 overall.
South Central HS vs Garner HS
This is the biggest match-up in the 4-A playoffs and should be even better than the state championship game. South Central HS features national recruit Day’Ron Sharpe, a 2020 forward who has had Roy Williams from UNC, NC State, and countless others in to see him recently. 2019 guard Shykeim Phillips may be one of the most underrated juniors in the state and recently picked up an offer from Old Dominion. Garner HS features a strong senior class in Marque Maultsby, Kenyon Burt, Trayvon Ferrell, and Demetric Horton leading way for the 26-1 Trojans.