NCHSAA West Regional Finals Set
The Final Four is set for all four classifications in the NCHSAA championships. PrepHoops takes a look at the four classifications and the teams that are left in their road to a championship.
1-A
Winston-Salem Prep (25-3) vs Lincoln Charter (26-4)
East Tennessee State University recruit Daivien Williamson has put The Pheonix on his shoulders this season and has been putting up college-ready numbers along the way. The play of guard Chaz Gwyn and guard Justice Goodloe has been outstanding all year long and a big reason Winston-Salem Prep is in a familiar position in the playoffs.
Presbyterian commit 6’1, 2018 Kody Shubert, Lees-McRae commit London England, an athletic wing forward that can score from anywhere on the floor, 6’2 2019 Levontae Knox, is blessed with elite level athleticism and scores more from the slasher position. 6’2, 2019 guard Jackson Gabriel is one of the best shooters in the state and has shot the ball at a high-rate all season long.
2-A
Salisbury HS vs Forest Hills HS
Forest Hills HS is in the regional finals this season after posting a 28-2 record behind the scoring power of Nas Tyson. Tyson, a 6-foot-1, 2019 guard has been lighting opponents up all season and will look to continue that in Greensboro at the campus of UNC-Greensboro. 5-foot-9 junior guard Jai Rorie has also been one of the leading scorers for Matt Sides’ Forest Hills program. He is one of the best shooters in the state and last season made 132 three-pointers, good enough for 4th all-time in North Carolina.
Salisbury HS is led by 5’9 senior guard Isaac Baker who is averaging nearly 18 points per game this season. 6’1 junior guard Oshaun Robinson is averaging right at 13 points per game. Senior Trell Baker has been a problem for teams all season with his scoring and quickness. He scored 28 points against Mountain Heritage HS who at the time were on a 22 game win streak.
3-A
Cox Mill HS vs Ben L. Smith HS
The defending champions Cox Mill HS have blown everyone out during the playoffs. Their closest game coming at the hands of Mt. Tabor HS in a 20-point win in the fourth round. The Chargers will rely on the scoring prowess of Rechon Black (UNC signee) and 2019 Wendell Moore (Ranked #1 2019 in NC) as the leaders of Jody Barbee’s squad. Junior Cody Cline and Caleb Stone-Carrawell will be the key players of the game to help Cox Mill dismantle Ben L. Smith HS.
Ben L. Smith features some scoring prowess of their own in Charlotte recruit Isaiah Bigelow, a 6-foot-5 guard that scored 29 points in Smith’s fourth round win. Point Guard and sophomore Camren Hayes is also a lot to handle with his scoring and point guard mentality. 2020 Silas Mason is s good sized guard and wing that has high-major offers already, and big men Jalin Gamble and Jaylen Gainey have both already signed to Brown and Fayetteville State.
4-A
Rocky River HS vs Independence HS
Rocky River has knocked off North Mecklenburg, Raegan, Butler and Hopewell high schools’ to advance to the region finals. Sophomore Jaden Springer is PrepHoopNC’s #1 2020 in the class and has proven it every night. He scored 28 points against North Mecklenburg, who at the time was the #1 seed in the tournament. Darlinstone Dubar is another key for Rocky River and how well they play. He is a sophomore guard that is getting his points in as well.
Independence HS went undefeated in conference and are 29-1 with their only loss coming to NCISAA 2-A champion Carmel Christian earlier in the year. This will be the second match-up with Rocky River this season with The Patriots taking the first game 75-74. Senior guard Jamarius Burton has picked up a lot of offers over the course of the season. He is a rebounding and scoring machine for head coach Preston Davis. 2019’s Matt Smith and Au’Dra McKee are the two other scoring options for The Patriots.