The NC high school basketball state finals are Saturday. Here’s what you need to know

The stage is set for the NCHSAA boys basketball state championships, and the matchups are scintilating

Here is a breakdown of the four games that will be played this weekend.

NCHSAA 4A: Weddington vs. Panther Creek

Weddington won the NCHSAA 3A state championship in 2021 during the COVID-plagued season, going a perfect 18-0.

During the offseason, with conference realignments, Weddington moved up to the 4A classification, and has the opportunity to win back-to-back state championships in two different classifications. Coached by Gary Ellington, Weddington is 30-0 this season and is riding a 48-game win streak.

During the first round of the state playoffs, Weddington rallied against Olympic and won in overtime, 71-62. Weddington then beat Mooreville (70-60), Cox Mill (61-48), and then in destiny-like fashion rallied against traditional 4A power Chambers (58-56) and North Mecklenburg (72-69).

In the North Mecklenburg game, Weddington trailed 69-63 with 59 seconds remaining and scored the last nine points in the unbelievable come back. Weddington is led by 6-5 senior point guard Chase Lowe, who is averaging 17. 1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 4.5 APG. Lowe is the heart and soul of the Weddington team, but gets plenty of help from 6-3 senior Kyle Frazier (15.0 PPG), 6-0 senior A.J. Cook (12.0 PPG), and 6-1 junior Evan Morton (11.5 PPG), who all average in double digit scoring.

On the other hand, if Weddington is the “team of destiny,” Panther Creek has been the Cinderella team of the NCHSAA this postseason.

Panther Creek, coached by Shawan Robinson, tied for second in the ultra-competitive Southwest Wake 4A with an 11-3 conference record. Panther Creek sports a 23-7 overall mark and won its opening-round game against Cardinal Gibbons (66-56), then proceeded to upset the No. 1 seed in the East regional, New Hanover (61-56). New Hanover came into the contest undefeated with a perfect 24-0 record. In the third round, Panther Creek upset conference rival and champion Apex Friendship (73-69), then defending 4A state champion Millbrook (64-61), and then Cleveland (69-54).

Panther Creek is a very balanced team on which seven players average between 5 and 11 points per game. Leading the way is 6-4 junior Amari Odom, who is averaging 11.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 4.6 RPG, while 6-2 senior Jordan Snell also scores in double digits, averaging 11.1 PPG.

NCHSAA 3A: West Charlotte vs. Seventy-First

West Charlotte, coached by Jacoby Davis, played in the Queen City 3A/4A Conference with the likes of 4A titans Chambers and North Mecklenburg. Coming into the state championship game with a 21-9 record, West Charlotte played a tough non-conference schedule to help prepare the team for the state championship run, with losses to traditional powerhouse teams Myers Park, Harding and Lake Norman Christian, and to eventual NCISAA 4A state champion Carmel Christian. You knew West Charlotte would be battle tested on a nightly basis in conference play with the likes of Chambers, North Mecklenburg, Mallard Creek and upstart Hopewell. Coach Davis wanted to challenge his team with tough competition that would prepare them for the rigors of a state championship run.

West Charlotte is led by 6-0 senior guard Landon King (14.7 PPG), who is the team’s leading scorer, but would be without the services of 6-8 junior Donovan Raymond, who is considered one of the best post defenders in the state. West Charlotte also gets outstanding production from 6-6 senior Chance Morrow (13.0 PPG and 7.5 RPG), and 6-2 freshman star Chadlyn Traylor (9.5 PPG and 4.4 APG)

Seventy-First, coach by Tony Jones, may have the darkhorse team coming from the Eastern regionals. Sporting a 27-4 record, Seventy-First beat West Carteret in the regional final, 74-70, to advance to the 3A state championship.

Seventy-First is a relatively young team, as the top five scorers are all underclassmen. Leading the way is 6-1 junior Xavier Mathews, who is averaging 17.7 points per game, while 6-6 junior Jared Davis is almost averaging a double double with 13.5 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game. In addition, 6-10 junior James Scott anchors the paint and is averaging a double-double of 11.7 points per game and 12.0 rebounds per game

Seventy-First is equally blessed with athleticism and length and the match-up against West Charlotte will feature two of the most athletic teams competing for the state championship.

NCHSAA 2A: Robinson vs. Farmville Central

Robinson, coached by Lavar Batts Sr., comes into the state championship with a 27-3 record, with two of its losses coming to 4A Mallard Creek and Harding. Robinson flew under the radar for the first half of the season, but is on a 12-game winning streak, including a convincing 79-60 win over North Surry.

Robinson has plenty of balance, with four players averaging double-digit scoring. Leading the way is 6-1 senior Jaylan Jackson (14.4 PPG), 6-6 junior Daevin Hobbs (14.4 PPG0, 6-2 junior Zi Wheeler (12.6 PPG), and 6-0 junior Jermaine Gray (12.5 PPG).

Farmville Central, coached by Larry Williford, has won three straight NCHSAA 2A state championships and has built a dynasty in Eastern North Carolina. Sporting a 27-3 record, the 2A state championship has become the “Farmville Central Invitational.”

Year in, year out, Farmville Central has become one of the premier high school basketball programs at any level/classification in the state of North Carolina. Farmville Central also has four players averaging in double-digit scoring. Leading the way is 6-3 junior Jah Short (20.0 PPG), 5-11 junior Jayden Pitt (12.3 PPG), 6-1 senior Derrick Cox (11.7 PPG) and 6-1 sophomore Alex Moye (10.3 PPG).

With Farmville Central, you have tradition, tradition, and tradition along with one of the top high school coaches in Larry Williford and the big question is simply this: Can Farmville Central four-peat?

NCHSAA 1A: Hayesville vs. Chatham Charter

Hayesville, coached by Michael Cottrell, comes into the state championship with a perfect 27-0 record and in a mild upset, beat 1A state power Winston-Salem Prep for the right to advance to play Chatham Charter.

Hayesville is led by the 1-2 punch of 6-6 senior Jake McTaggart (18.3 PPG, and 12.1 RPG) and 6-0 senior Kolbe Ashe (17.4 PPG and 4.2 APG). They are both the heart and soul of this Hayesville team and look to have a storybook season by going undefeated and winning the NCHSAA 1A state championship.

Chatham Charter, coached by Jason Messier, beat defending state champion Wilson Prep 59-42 in an absolute clinic by his team. Chatham Charter may have more balance on paper, as they have four players averaging in double-digit scoring. Leading the way is 6-2 junior Adam Harvey (16.4 PPG and 7.0 RPG), 6-2 junior Aamir Mapp (11.5 PPG), 6-6 freshman Brennen Oldham (10.3 PPG and 6.8 RPG) and 6-1 freshman Beau Harvey (10.1 PPG and 4.1 APG).

Both Hayesville and Chatham Charter are both fundamentally sound teams and should put on a clinic in game execution.