Salute to North Carolina’s regular-season high school basketball champs; playoffs loom
The regular season is now complete and conference champions have been crowned across the state, both in the NCISAA and NCHSAA. In the NCHSAA, conference tournaments begin this week while the NCISAA starts their state playoffs. Either way, we’re yet on another journey to crown state champions in the next few weeks. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the regular season conference champions from the NCHSAA.
Apex Friendship gets it done
Two weeks ago, it was a three-way tie for first place in the Southwest Wake 4A as Apex Friendship, Holly Springs, and Panther Creek all had identical 7-2 records. After losing to Holly Springs in late January, Apex Friendship went on to win their last five games of the season, and squeaked out first place in the Southwest Wake 4A. In the highly competitive conference, not many people selected Apex Friendship to come out on top, especially since they lost their top two players in seniors Kenny Noland and Luke Proctor. Give Coach PJ Lowman credit, Apex Friendship is one of the hot teams in the Southwest 4A and we expect Apex, Apex Friendship, Holly Springs, and Panther Creek to battle it for the Southwest Wake 4A conference tournament championship.
Athens Drive escapes in CAP 6 4A
Talk about balance. The CAP 6 4A may be one of the most balanced conferences in the state. Going into the final week, four teams had a chance to finish first, Athens Drive, Cardinal Gibbons, Enloe and Leesville Road. Athens Drive won their last three games against Enloe (54-47), Broughton (53-45), and Cardinal Gibbons (49-32) and clinched first place with a 7-3 conference record while Cardinal Gibbons, Enloe, and Leesville Road finished with a 6-4 conference record. Six-foot-five senior Elijah Harris has led the way averaging 14.2 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Tradition drives Millbrook High School
It was a two-team race between Millbrook and Wake Forest, with both teams being undefeated going into the last week of the regular season. Last Monday, Millbrook won easily at home 83-67, but had to rematch the following night. Trailing by 11 points in the last minutes of the game, Millbrook rallied for a 83-80 thrilling win on the road to clinch the Northern Athletic 4A regular season championship. With Millbrook, you have an excellent coach in Chris Davis and tradition. While Millbrook finished 9-0 in conference play, 15-8 overall. That being said, Millbrook played a tough and challenging schedule. All loses came to quality opponents, losing to Broughton, Pinecrest, Norwood, Cleveland, The Burlington School, North Mecklenburg, and Hillside — ll teams that should advance to the state playoffs.
Jordan High School wins the DAC-VII 4A conference
Jordan High School clinched first place with an impressive 72-47 home win over rival Northern Durham last Friday night. They finished the regular season with an 11-1 conference record, 19-3 overall. Jordan is currently ranked No. 3 in our News & Observer Sweet 16 and No. 16 in our statewide poll. Coach Derek Ross relies heavily on 6-9 junior Clay Peters, who is averaging a double double of 13.1 points per game and 11.4 rebounds per game. The majority of the scoring comes from underclassmen with 6-5 junior Jayan Walker (11.7 PPG), 6-5 junior Walker Woodall (9.8 PPG), 6-4 junior Ronald Bridge (8.5 PPG) while 5-10 senior Dawson Edwards (9.6 PPG) leads the team in assists at 4.2 assists per game. Jordan has plenty of height, athleticism and balanced scoring that will make them a dangerous team come playoff time.
Season to remember for Cleveland
To put it mildly, Coach Justin Batts has done a tremendous job at Cleveland High School. Not known for its success on the basketball court, Cleveland High School finished 11-4 in the 2020-21 COVID shortened season. The school record for wins in one season is 23 and Cleveland has matched that win total through the regular season. With the conference tournament starting on Tuesday, the next win will make the 2021-22 season the best in school history. Cleveland has plenty of senior leadership and a balanced scoring attack that should allow them to make a deep run in the NCHSAA 4A Eastern Regionals, not to mention they are currently No. 2 in our News & Observer Sweet 16 poll and No. 15 in our statewide poll. 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).
Central Cabarrus runs the table
Central Cabarrus goes a perfect 14-0 in conference, 24-0 overall. We had Central Cabarrus pegged as one of the top teams in the NCHSAA 3A from the beginning, however no one would have guessed the relatively ease Coach Jim Baker’s team had in capturing the regular season championship. They are averaging 83.8 points per game. More importantly, they are also averaging 21.0 steals per game with their “helter skelter” full court defense. In addition, they are averaging an even more impressive 21.8 assists per game. Central Cabarrus is led by 6-0 junior Jaiden Thompson, who is averaging 19.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.5 SPG, and 3.0 APG. Next up is the Daniel twins, Carson and Chase, who are only sophomores. The twins are averaging 28.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 10.1 APG, and 9.3 SPG. And let’s not forget about 6-2 junior Gavin Bullock, who is also averaging in double digit scoring with 10.3 PPG. They may not be the biggest team, but will be one of the toughest outs at the NCHSAA 3A. They play hard, they play together, and they are tough as nails. In addition, Central Cabarrus is ranked No. 5 in the Observer Sweet 16 poll and No. 8 in our statewide poll. Give Coach Jim Baker credit, he’s done a masterful job of molding the style of play to his roster.
Cox Mill wins Greater Metro 4A
The regular season championship was not decided until the last game of the regular season, and rightfully so. Cox Mill finished with a 11-1 conference record, 18-6 overall. Entering the game tied with Mooresville, Lake Norman gave Cox Mill the assist by winning a home thriller 80-78. Coach Ty Johnson has challenged his team with a tough non-conference schedule with loses coming to Weddington, Ardrey Kell, Greenfield, Gaston Day, Harding University, and a lone conference lost to second place Mooresville. What’s even more impressive is the fact that Cox Mill has been without the services of 6-5 junior Titus Ivy, who is their best overall player, for the past several weeks. Cox Mill has excellent team balance and are extremely well coached. 5-9 senior CJ Wilson has been the leading scorer averaging 15.8 points per game, but has provided excellent leadership from the point guard position. He’s strong, athletic and has been the “straw that stirs the drink” for Cox Mill. 6-4 senior Rasheed Baldwin has also provided senior leadership and is averaging 10.8 points per game.
Ardrey Kell does it again
It’s no secret that Mike Craft is one of the best coaches in the state, regardless of classification or affiliation. Ardrey Kell went 8-2 in conference, 16-4 overall, and are currently ranked No. 9 in the Observer Sweet 16 poll. The South Meck 4A conference has tremendous balance from top to bottom and on any given night, anyone has a chance to win. Playing in the South Meck 4A is like going through the gauntlet, you have the likes of Berry, Harding, Myers Park, Olympic, and South Mecklenburg. 6-4 senior Evan Smith has enjoyed another outstanding season and will go down as one of the winningest players to play at Ardrey Kell. Smith has been a model of consistency throughout his career and leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 point per game. In addition, Smith is second in rebounds averaging 5.9 rebounds per game and first in assists at 3.9 assists per game. Coach Mike Craft has also gotten outstanding production from 6-6 junior Brock Rose, who is averaging 13.8 points per game, and 6-3 junior Brandon Nelson and 6-7 senior Toni Akinyelu, both average 9.2 points per game.
Weddington moves to 4A, no problem
Weddington went 18-0 last year to win the NCHSAA 3A. This year, Weddington moved to the Southern Carolina 4A and finished with a perfect 10-0 conference record, 23-0 overall. When watching Weddington, it is the consummate team. Eleven of the 12 players on the current roster have been playing together since middle school. They know each other extremely well, play together and as a collective unit put team success over any individual success. Weddington has quality wins over NCHSAA 4A powers Ardrey Kell, Myers Park, Cox Mill, and South Mecklenburg, not to mention an impressive win over NCISAA 4A power Providence Day and Cannon. Six-foot-five senior Chase Lowe, who is in consideration as the North Carolina Play of the Year, leads the way in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Lowe is averaging 17.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game and 2.8 steals per game. Senior Kyle Frazier and 6-0 senior AJ Cook provide additional scoring and are averaging 14.3 and 12.0 points per game respectively. In addition, 6-1 junior Evan Morton is a star in the making as he is averaging 11.0 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. Coach Gary Ellington and Weddington has won 41 straight games and are currently ranked the No. 1 team in our statewide Observer poll..
NCHSAA Queen City 3A/4A
Coach Brian Frasier challenged his team, Chambers High School, to a tough and competitive non-conference schedule to help prepare for the upcoming battles in the newly formed NCHSAA Queen City 3A/4A. While Chambers finished with a 19-5 overall record, it went undefeated in conference play, going 12-0. More importantly, Chambers swept its No. 1 rival North Mecklenburg twice, with both games going into overtime. With the conference tournament starting this week, there could be yet another encounter between North Mecklenburg and Chambers. If this were to happen, we expect nothing short of another epic game between two of the best teams in the NCHSAA 4A. As the old saying goes, “iron sharpens iron,” and the rivalry between North Mecklenburg and Chambers is as good as it gets.
Rocky River and Butler share title
Last week, we stated it was a logjam and a four-team race in the Southwestern 4A. Rocky River was sitting in first place with an 8-2 record with Charlotte Catholic, Butler, and East Mecklenburg within striking distance. With Rocky River in the driver’s seat, they suffered an away loss to Independence on senior night, but secured a home win over Garinger to finish with a 9-3 conference record. On the other hand, Butler was the surprise team winning, seven of its last eight games and also finished with a 9-3 conference record. Coach Patrick King’s Butler has been a steady work in progress and has continuously improved over the course of the season.
Look for the Southwestern 4A to be wide open. Butler (9-3), Rocky River (9-3), East Mecklenburg (8-4), Charlotte Catholic (8-4) and Independence (6-6) all have legitimate changes of winning the conference tournament championship.