NCHSAA 3A 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 3-A division, the abundance of high level…
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Continue ReadingWe’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 3-A division, the abundance of high level prospects can’t be understated. Here is a preview of the four games that’ll determine who will be playing for a regional championship this weekend:
3-A West: #3 Cuthbertson vs. #2 Southeast Guilford
After a blowout win in the opening round, Cuthbertson is coming off of two close victories: a 46-43 win over Watauga and 69-60 triumph against Hickory. They’re led by 2021 forward Maddie Dillinger, who is ranked 16th in Prep Girls Hoops’ NC 2021 rankings and averages just under 14 points per game. The Cavaliers come into this contest with a 28-2 record.
Meanwhile, Southeast Guilford (28-1) has seen no trouble through their first three playoff games winning by 48 against A.L. Brown, 34 against Mount Tabor, and, most recently by 43 against Central Cabarrus. The Falcons have talented prospects as well like Winston-Salem State commit Kennedi Simmons (#23, NC 2020) and Raven Preston (#12, NC 2022).
These two teams are meeting in a rematch of last years 3-A state championship game where the defending East regional champion Falcons won 62-59. This year, both teams are in the West meaning this rematch is for a berth in the regional round.
3-A West: #5 Enka vs. #1 Freedom
Enka escaped with a 70-68 win over Jesse Carson in the second round and they’ll travel to face top seed Freedom in the fourth round. The Patriots are undefeated (28-0) and have been dominant in their three playoff wins led by guard Blakely Crooks (#25, NC 2020) and center Adair Harrison (#18, NC 2021). They’ve won their three postseason contests by an average of 41 points per game.
2021 guard Emily Carver has been everything for the Jets during the season and they’re going to need another big performance from their leading scorer if they want to pull the upset. This is a rematch of their meeting in the regular season when the Patriots won 76-73 in December.
3-A East: #10 Hunt vs. #3 E.E. Smith
Hunt has been the Cinderella team of sorts in the 3-A division. The Warriors are on the heels of a double-digit comeback win over conference rival Rocky Mount in the third round. They’re led by unsigned senior forward Bria Griffith who averages just under 16 points per game.
She’ll have her hands full against an excellent E.E. Smith program that fell in the East regional title game to Southeast Guilford last season. Having players like guard Miya Giles-Jones (#5, NC 2023) certainly helps the 29-1 Golden Bulls.
3-A East: #5 Jacksonville vs. #1 D.H. Conley
Jacksonville has been a consistent winner over the past several years and it’s been no different this season. Led by UNC commit and top senior prospect in NC, Kennedy Todd-Williams, the Cardinals have a chance to get back to the regional title game once again. Unsigned seniors Kelly Luck and Mia Tucker have also been excellent for a team that comes in with a 23-3 record.
Standing in their way is an undefeated (29-0) and talented D.H. Conley team. The Vikings have standout prospects of their own like freshman guard Kylah Silver, and unsigned senior guard Jenna Wooten. This duo continues to pace the Conley offense, but this will be their biggest challenge of the season against a potent Jacksonville attack.