Top NC high school basketball storylines: Which school emerging as a title contender?

We’ve now crossed the halfway point in the high school basketball season and many story lines are beginning to take shape. If you look at our most recent News & Observer Top 20, there are exactly nine private school teams (NCISAA) and 11 public school teams (NCHSAA). While there has been a trend in players transferring from public schools to private and non-association teams, it’s no secret the amount of fan support that is prevalent at public school basketball. First of all, public schools for the most part, have larger student bodies and traditionally public schools have the support of local communities.

Here’s a look around the state at some of the main story lines so far:

Millbrook with signature win

Last week, we wrote, “Don’t count out Millbrook.” They did lose a lot of players due to graduations, but Coach Chris Davis always likes to play a competitive and challenging non-conference schedule. This year has been no different. With losses coming to Broughton, Pinecrest, Northwood, Cleveland, The Burlington School, North Mecklenburg, and Broughton once again. Millbrook has now won three games in a row. The latest win was against NCHSAA 2A power Farmville Central. Millbrook should be favored in their next two contests and the January 19th contest at Wakefield could be for sole possession of first place.

Freshman putting up numbers

It’s not often freshman make significant impacts their first year in high school, particularly with a NCHSAA 4A power like Millbrook. While the roster for Millbrook is somewhat dominated by upperclassmen, Colt Langdon 6-9 is having a banner year and is in the conversation as one of the premier players in the North Carolina 2025 class. Currently, Langdon is averaging 16.2 PPG and 4.5 RPG and has an advanced skill set for his age/grade. He has the ability to score from all three levels. While he is more well known for his shot making ability, Langdon has excellent court vision and can facilitate extremely well.

Mooresville on the move

Mooresville is currently 11-1 and second-year head coach Armard Moore has to be ecstatic. Mooresville has already won as many games halfway through the 2021-22 season as they have done the previous three seasons where they won three, six and two games. Their lone lost was to conference favorite Cox Mill on a last second shot. Leading the way is KC Shaw 6-4 senior who is doing a little bit of everything this season. Coach Moore has Mooresville playing extremely well and we look forward to their home game rematch with Cox Mill on January 21st.

Elevator Up

Year in, year out, Hendersonville is one of the top teams in the NCHSAA 2A. This year, they are currently 14-1 with the lone loss coming to the hands of R-S Central. Last year, they lost in the state championship to 2A power Farmville Central, which captured its third straight championship. If you look at Hendersonville’s track record, they have been one of the strongest and most consistent teams in the NCHSAA. In 2021, they went 16-1 losing in the state championship game to Farmville Central. In 2020, they went 23-6; in 2019, they went 22-3. Even with the COVID shortened season in 2021, Hendersonville should average 20+ wins per season for the past four years.

Overachieving

Last year, Weddington coached by Gary Ellington went a perfect 18-0 and won the NCHSAA 3A state championship over Northwood. Weddington has moved to the 4A and are currently 14-0 and riding a 32-game win streak. Weddington opened the season with wins over NCHSAA 4A powers Adrey Kell (72-65), Cox Mill (68-48) and Myers Park (75-51). In addition, Weddington scored wins over South Mecklenburg (85-62) and NCISAA 4A power Providence Day (69-46). Most basketball pundits would have predicted the transition would not have been so easy. Now, it looks like Weddington is considered one of the favorites to win the NCHSAA 4A championship. Weddington plays excellent team defense and are the epitome of what high school basketball is all about. They are so unselfish and simply a fun team to watch. Chase Lowe 6-5 senior point guard is the heart and soul of the team averaging 17.5 PPG, 8.6 RPR, 3.8 APG and three steals per game. Kyle Frazier 6-3 senior, AJ Cook 6-0 senior, and Evan Morton 6-1 junior are all averaging in double figures for a well-balanced attack.

Looks can be deceiving

As the old saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover.” This statement is custom made for Central Cabarrus and we advise teams not to get too comfortable or confidence while watching Central Cabarrus in warmups. Out of their top seven scorers, no one measures over 6-1. To put it mildly, you may find middle school teams more intimidating than this team. That being said, one you step onto the court, teams realize they are in a dogfight from the opening tipoff. First of all, they will pick you up full court and pressure you from one end to the other. Central Cabarrus is led by Jaiden Thompson 6-0 junior, Chase Daniel 6-0 junior and Carson Daniel 5-11 junior who average 19.8 PPG, 16.7 PPG, and 13.6 PPG respectively. More importantly, the backcourt trio average 15 rebounds, 20 assists and 21 steals as a collective unit. Central Cabarrus finished 12-2 last season with a heartbreaking state playoff lost to eventual state champions, Weddington.

Heavyweight matchup

Coach Bryan Burrell (Trinity Academy) and Nathan Faulk (Wayne Country Day) have both done a masterful job with their respective program. Last year, Wayne Country Day was victorious in the NCISAA 2A semi-finals and this game Thursday night could be a preview as each team hopes to make a deep playoff run. Both teams have played an extremely challenging schedule. In addition, this game will be a marquee matchup between two of the top forwards in their class, Noah Ross 6-8 senior (Trinity Academy) and Collin Tanner 6-6 junior (Wayne Country Day)

The sum is greater than the parts

Coach Chris Berger continues to work his magic at Charlotte Latin. They have had their share of talented high school players, but not on the scale some of the other teams in the area. That being said, Coach Berger has a system that exemplifies a true team concept. They are going to be patience and methodical on offense and have great team defensive philosophy. Latin currently sports an impressive 14-1 record and this should come to no surprise. Last year Latin finished with a 16-5 record losing to Cannon in the NCISAA 4A state playoffs, and not to mention losing to Cannon in 2020 in the championship game. In both situations, they were beaten by the team that won the state championship.

Key Matchups

Wakefield vs. Wake Forest

Wake Forest lost their first three games of the season, now they have won nine games in a row. Wakefield sports a 12-1 record and looks to be the team to be beat in the NCHSAA Conference 27 4A Conference, but this pivotal game will be on the road at Wake Forest. Ellija Preddy 6-0 junior leads the way for Wakefield averaging 13.2 PPG and is the only player to average double figures. On the flipside, Wake Forest has four players averaging in double figures (All underclassmen). Both teams have tremendous balance.

Grimsley vs. Northern Guilford

Although a ton of attention has shifted to the Charlotte area this season, there’s still more than enough talent within Greensboro. This Friday, two of the Triad’s top teams will face-off with Grimsley (12-1) visiting Northern Guilford (9-4). Coach Darren Corbett has really restored glory to the Whirlies’ program and rapidly made them a nightly competitor. On the other side, Nolan Hodge is enjoying a productive senior year following the Nighthawks’ first undefeated regular season. Between Grimsley’s one loss (to Greensboro Day) and Northern Guilford continuing to trend upward, this should be an exciting contest.

Cannon vs. Weddington

Despite the general shift in competitive balance, Weddington’s perfect record (for the second straight season) continues to be a bright spot for public-school basketball. Although very talented, the Warriors’ chemistry and game plan is what makes them such an incredibly challenging opponent. Meanwhile, Cannon has started to bounce back after an unexpected start to the season. That being said, anytime we can pit public vs. private schools, it’s a great storyline. These teams will meet at Phenom Hoops’ Carmel Christian MLK Showcase on Saturday at 6:00 PM. Cannon has won back-to-back state championships at the NCISAA 4A level and Weddington won its first ever state championships last year in in the NCHSAA 3A level.

Carmel vs. Chambers

Given last week’s thrilling battle between JL Chambers and North Mecklenburg, it’s only fitting that the Cougars have yet another noteworthy matchup at Phenom Hoops’ Carmel Christian MLK Showcase—this time against the hosting Carmel Christian. Chambers has as much talent as any public-school program while Carmel has yet to lose to a North Carolina-based team. It will undoubtedly stand out as one of the most talent-laden games of the entire season. Their battle will conclude the highly anticipated event. Both teams have a realistic chance of winning their state championship. Chambers is in the NCHSAA 4A while Carmel is in the NCISAA. Both teams are absolutely loaded with talented and feature two of the bright coaching stars in Brian Frasier (Chambers) and Joe Badgett (Carmel). In addition, both are two of the top teams in the state. Chambers has Daniel Sanford 6-8 senior (South Carolina signee) and Jaylen Curry 6-2 junior while Carmel has Cade Tyson 6-8 senior (Belmont signee) and Logan Threatt 6-3 senior. This game looks to be one of the top games in the state and we expect a sellout crowd.

Best scoring duo

Dwight Canady 6-1 senior and Keenam Wilkins 6-0 junior are having yet another banner year for Hendersonville. Both are putting up ridiculous stat lines. Canady is averaging 26.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 2.SPG while Wilkins is averaging 24.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.0 APG and 2.9 SPG. That’s 51 points between the two and we know of other other tandem in the state that is putting up those kind of numbers.

Living up to national reputation

Paul McNeil 6-6 sophomore of Richmond County is having a superb season. Richmond is currently 13-0 and is ranked No. 10 in the News & Observer state wide poll including public and private school. For many young players, they can rest on their laurels after being in several top 20 rankings nationally for his class. In addition, McNeil already sports offers from Clemson, Indiana, NC State, Tennessee, and Western Carolina. For the season, McNeil is averaging 24.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.0 SPG and 1.4 BPG. More importantly, McNeil is one that doesn’t dominant the ball, but simply scores within the offense of the game. His overall game is somewhat reminiscent of former NC State star TJ Warren. In addition, McNeil is shooting 40% from the 3-point line, 85% from the free throw line and 64% from the floor.

Talent, skill, and upside

For Jarin Stevenson 6-9 sophomore of Seaforth High School, the future looks extremely bright. It’s no secret that Stevenson has the potential to go down as one of the greats to play in the state of North Carolina. Sporting a 19 size shoe and a positive wing span, Stevenson also has a matching skill set that is very unusual for a player his size and age/grade. In addition, he has excellent bloodlines as his mother played collegiately at UNC and his dad played at Richmond and professionally overseas. That being said, Stevenson garnishes offers from UNC and Wake Forest while being heavily recruited by NC State, Florida State and Virginia. For the season, Stevenson is averaging a double double with 19.0 PPG and 10.9 RPG, and just recently Stevenson led Seaforth to a triple overtime win where he scored a career high 42 points, 21 rebounds with eight blocked shots and six assists.