Final week of NC high school basketball regular season sets the table for playoffs

Entering the last week of the regular season, things are shaping up for another exciting season of playoff action. The NCISAA will convene on Sunday to determine seeding and playing locations. For the NCHSAA, conference playoffs take shape. With the regular season conference champions securing the No. 1 seed, teams will be competing for that all important conference tournament seed. Now, let’s take a closer look at the NCISAA and NCHSAA.

NCISAA 4A

At the beginning of the season, we picked Greensboro Day (26-3), Carmel Christian (20-3), Providence Day (20-5), and Christ School (11-9) as the teams to beat. The surprise team in the NCISAA 4A has been Charlotte Latin, coached by Chris Berger (20-3). Barring any further upsets this week, the top four seeds should be as follows: 1. Carmel Christian, 2. Greensboro Day, 3. Providence Day, and 4. Charlotte Latin. While Cannon School (12-13), coached by Che Roth, is currently below .500, they should get the No. 5 seed followed by 6. Rabun Gap (16-8), 7. Charlotte Christian (13-12), and 8. Ravenscroft (12-7).

Cannon has played much of the season without 6-4 sophomore sensation Austin Swartz, but he has returned to the starting lineup. Greensboro Day has played a national schedule, and also has been nationally ranked the majority of the season. This past week, Greensboro Day lost at home to NCISAA 2A power Trinity Christian, but it should be noted Greensboro Day was without the services of their top player, 6-4 junior Jaydon Young. Top to bottom, the NCISAA 4A is one of the strongest classifications in the state. In our Observer statewide poll for public and private school teams, Carmel is currently ranked No. 3, Greensboro Day at No. 4, Providence Day at No 10, and Charlotte Latin at No. 15. In our opinion, Carmel Christian has exceeded our expectations and Coach Joe Badgett has done another masterful coaching job. On the other hand, Providence Day is a “hot team” and Greensboro Day has legendary Freddy Johnson. Depending on the seedings, we expect Carmel, Greensboro Day, Providence Day and Charlotte Latin to make it to the NCISAA 4A Final Four.

NCISAA 3A

Of all the classifications, the NCISAA 3A is completely wide open. Our preseason pick was Asheville Christian, Concord Academy, Forsyth Country Day, and Gaston Christian. Asheville Christian lost the services of 6-10 Florida State signee De’ante Green, who is out for the balance of the season with an injury. The loss of Green will put a damper on a championship run for the defending 3A state champions. While Concord Academy (13-15), coach by Frank Cantadore, has a sub .500, they have played one of the toughest schedules in the state, but are on a five-game winning streak. The top four seeds in the NCISAA should be as follows: 1. Cape Fear Christian (16-3), 2. High Point Christian (20-5), 3. Asheville School (13-5), 4. Concord Academy (13-15). Concord Academy is led by 6-9 sophomore Tany Tchanda, who is ranked No. 5 in the Phenom Hoops North Carolina 2024 player ranking, is averaging 14.1 PPG and 8.5 RPG. In addition, if 6-5 junior sharpshooter Noah Van Bibber gets hot, Concord Academy could still be the team to beat as they seem to be peaking at the right time.

NCISAA 2A

We have often called the NCISAA 2A “The Burlington School Invitational.” They are the defending state champions, have played a national schedule, and some of their best games have come against the best teams in the country. Top to bottom, no one has more talent than Coach Ryan Bernardi in the NCISAA 2A classification. It’s not often a team can boast at having a D1 signee coming off the bench, 6-3 Kheni Briggs (Charleston Southern), not to mention the No. 5 prospect in the 2023 class, 6-foot-9 junior Michael Nwoko, and No. 11 prospect, 6-foot-8 junior Avion Pinner form a tremendous front line. Throw in the likes of No. 11 ranked prospect in the North Carolina 2024 class, 6-foot-3 sophomore Kobe George, and No. 14 6-foot-2 Zion Walker, along with 6-foot-2 senior Shane Peterson, you have one of the most talented teams in the state. Trinity Academy (19-3), currently ranked No. 12 in our Observer statewide poll, could present the biggest challenge. They recently beat Greensboro Day on the road, and are led by 6-7 senior and UNC-Wilmington signee Noah Ross. The top four seeds should be as follows: 1. The Burlington School (22-6), 2. Trinity Academy (19-3), 3. Northside Christian (19-7), and 4. Gaston Day (21-3). Outside looking in is Wayne Country Day (21-6) at the No. 5 spot/seed.

NCISAA 1A

From the beginning, we have said all along, it’s a two-team race between Greenfield (23-5) and United Faith (13-7). United Faith has been without the services of Winthrop signee, 6-2 senior Xavier McKelvy, but recently returned to action this past weekend. Greenfield is led by Queens University signee, 6-4 Aaron Murphy and 6-5 junior Hampton Evans. Greenfield beat United Faith back in December by the overtime score 73-72. Both teams are well coached, Rob Salter (Greenfield), and Tamar Slay (United Faith), not to mention they have both played an extraordinary tough non-conference schedule.

NCHSAA Queen City 3A/4A

Barring a complete collapse, Chambers (16-5, 9-0) has secured the Queen City 3A/4A regular season conference championship. They finish up the week against West Charlotte (15-6, 8-2) and West Mecklenburg (5-17, 0-10). Chambers once again came from behind (15 points in the first half) to sweep North Mecklenburg (18-4, 8-2) in overtime. North Mecklenburg will have a chance for revenge in the conference playoffs and could face them again in the state playoffs. In the game this past Friday night, 6-8 senior Daniel Sanford showed why he is in the running for the North Carolina COY. Sanford finished 31 points, 10 rebounds and dished out two assists, but more importantly it was his stellar defense in the paint area that was most impressive.

Ardrey Kell, Myers Park battle in South Meck 4A

The outcome of the South Meck 4A regular season championship will come down to the final week of play, as well it should be. Last week, after defeating Myers Park on the road, Ardrey Kell was in the driver’s seat of the regular season championship, but suffered a home loss to South Mecklenburg. Adrey Kell and Myers Park sits at 6-2 in conference play. However, Adrey Kell has defeated Myers Park twice. Ardrey Kell finishes the season with a road game against a very dangerous Olympic (11-8, 2-6) team, and then a home game against Berry. Myers Park’s schedule is a little more difficult as they are on the road against South Mecklenburg (12-6, 4-4) and at home against Olympic. Come conference playoffs, don’t count out South Mecklenburg, Olympic, and Harding.

Rocky River’s to lose in the Southwestern 4A

Last week, it was a logjam and four-team race in the Southwestern 4A. Rocky River is sitting in first place, (12-6, 8-2). While Charlotte Catholic (14-9, 8-3) and Butler (10-9, 7-3) are within striking distance, Rocky River has the most favorable schedule. That being said, the Southwestern 4A conference tournament should be completely wide open. Charlotte Catholic is having another stellar season, the surprise team in the conference has most definitely been Butler.

Three-team race in Southwest Wake 4A

Last week, Holly Springs, Apex Friendship, and Panther Creek started with a 7-2 conference record. This week, all three teams begin the week with a 10-2 conference record, and are all ranked in the top seven of our News & Observer Sweet 16 poll. No. 4. Holly Springs (16-3), No. 6 Apex Friendship (14-5), and No. 7 Panther Creek (16-5). Apex Friendship has the most favorable schedule playing Middle Creek (3-17, 1-10), and Green Level (10-11, 3-8). On the other hand, Holly Springs and Panther Creek face each other in a monster matchup on Friday.

It’s anybody’s guess in the CAP 6 4A

Last week, we wrote the following. “Is Athens Drive in the Driver’s Seat?” Athens Drive was sitting nicely with a 4-1 conference record, but lost two games. This week, we have five teams that has a chance to come away with the regular season conference championship. Cardinal Gibbons (12-9, 5-3), Leesville Road (8-10, 5-3), Athens Drive (13-7, 5-3), Broughton (12-8, 4-4), Enloe (11-8, 4-4). Can you say balance? The last season of conference play should be exciting and don’t be surprised to have multiple teams share the regular season conference championship.

Can Jordan hang on in the DAC-VII 4A?

Jordan (18-3, 10-1) is still sitting in sole possession of first place. It has one remaining game, on the road against Northern Durham (10-5, 7-2), which could determine the regular season championship. Meanwhile, Northern Durham also has a marquee matchup against Durham Hillside (13-3, 7-2) earlier in the week. A lot of moving pieces and the regular-season conference championship won’t be decided until Friday night.

Cleveland wins the Greater Neuse River 4A regular season

We have been on the Cleveland (21-1, 12-0) “bandwagon” for much of the season. They are a senior laden team and could finish with the most wins in school history, the record is 23. It’s been a magical season for Coach Batts, who is currently ranked No. 2 in our News and Observer Sweet 16 poll and No. 16 in our statewide poll including both public and private schools. Coach Batts has plenty of senior leadership and scoring balance to make a deep playoff run. Leading the way is 6-6 senior Trey Fields 6-6 (16.8 PPG & 8.8 RPG), 5-10 senior Baron Williams (15.7 PPG), 6-6 senior Dylan Wiggins (15.7 PPG & 8.4 RPG), and 6-3 senior Dylan Smith 6-3 (9.8 PPG & 8.4RPG).

North Carolina POY Candidates

*Listed alphabetically

Cade Tyson (Carmel)

Chase Lowe (Weddington)

Daniel Sanford (Chambers)

Freddie Dilione (Word of God)

Jah Short (Farmville Central)

Jaiden Thompson (Central Cabarrus)

Jaylen Curry (Chambers)

Jordan Crawford (North Mecklenburg)

Paul McNeil (Richmond Senior)

Patrick Wessler (Combine Academy)

Silas Demary Jr. (Liberty Heights National)

Xavier McKelvy (United Faith)