NCHSAA 2A State Playoff Elite 8 Preview

We've reached the best time of year for North Carolina high school basketball: regional week! It all starts with the fourth round of the NCHSAA state playoffs which take place Tuesday. In the 2-A division, all four games are sure to be played at a high level with a wide range of prospects across the board. Here is a preview of the four games that'll determine who will be playing for a regional championship: <strong>2-A West: #3 Newton-Conover vs. #2 East Burke</strong> Newton-Conover is led by <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chyna-cornwell/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/chyna-cornwell/">Chyna Cornwell</a></a>, Prep Girls Hoops' fourth ranked prospect in North Carolina's 2020 class. She comes into this contest averaging an astounding 27 points and 17 rebounds per game for a Red Devils team that's 27-2. For East Burke, the senior duo of Riley Haas and Ashlyn Stillwell lead a balanced offensive attack for the Cavaliers. The number two seed in the 2-A West comes in with a 27-3 record and both teams had to escape close games in the third round. <strong>2-A West: #4 Forbush vs. #1 Salisbury</strong> Top seed Salisbury will be playing their second game in as many nights when they face Forbush. They're on the heels of a 52-24 win over Ashe County Monday and have a team led by mostly freshman and sophomores. Five of their top six scorers, including freshman <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kyla-bryant/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kyla-bryant/">Kyla Bryant</a></a>, are underclassmen, but they also have senior Anayia Fulson who is second in points per game and leads the Hornets in assists. Meanwhile, the Falcons also feature balanced team scoring led by a pair of seniors, guard Nicole Scott and forward Parkley Hennings. The Hornets will be tough to beat, but the Falcons have the advantage of rest going into this game which makes things interesting. <strong>2-A East: #3 Kinston vs. #2 Randleman</strong> Kinston advanced to the fourth round with a 62-55 overtime win over Croatan and has many prospects that coaches should be looking at. Their entire main rotation features unsigned seniors across the board like center <strong>Anzaryia Cobb</strong> and forward <strong>Taliyah Jones.</strong> They'll be facing the number two seed Tigers who sport a freshman duo of center <strong>Gracyn Hall</strong> and guard <strong>Elizabeth York</strong> along with senior guard <strong>Taylor Gantt</strong>. Randleman also had a close contest in their third round win (65-58) over T. Wingate Andrews. <strong>2-A East: #13 North Lenoir vs. #1 Farmville Central</strong> North Lenoir has been on an incredible run throughout the state playoffs. The Hawks pulled off a road upset against previously undefeated St. Pauls to advance to the fourth round. Led by sophomore guard <strong>Ashanti Lynch</strong> and senior forwards <strong>Kanijah Taylo</strong>r and <strong>Integrity McPhai</strong>l, North Lenoir has a starting five that can compete with just about anyone. However, they'll have their hands full against the defending 2-A East regional champion Jaguars. Farmville Central has once again been the best team in the division and it'll take a near flawless game to take them down. They're led by do-it-all forward Amiya Joyner, Prep Girls Hoops' number six prospect in North Carolina's 2022 class, unsigned senior forward <strong>Ja'Shyrah Carmon</strong>, and junior forward <strong>Janiya Foskey</strong>.