Top Returning players in Lenoir County: Part One
Lenoir County saw an incredible amount of success during the 2019-20 season between their five programs. Four teams won 14 games or more, three reached the state playoffs in their respective classifications, two reached at least the fourth round and…
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Continue ReadingLenoir County saw an incredible amount of success during the 2019-20 season between their five programs. Four teams won 14 games or more, three reached the state playoffs in their respective classifications, two reached at least the fourth round and one made it back to the regional title game for the third straight year. With a lot teams replacing key senior graduates, who will be next up in this basketball sanctuary? Here is part one of the top returning players to lookout for in Lenoir County during the 2020-21 season.
Khalia Hargett (Kinston guard, 2021)
Hargett is the top returning scorer for the Kinston Vikings going into this season. Despite averaging 2.4 points per game, her impact on the team went beyond the box score. The rising senior guard has a lot of experience in big games, so she’s well prepared for an increased role. Kinston will have to replace their top eight scorers from a team that went 27-4 this past season and this senior class went 99-22 over their four years. Expect Hargett to play really well on both ends of the floor this season for the Vikings.
Tyra Graham (South Lenoir guard, 2021)
Graham is one of many key contributors coming back for the South Lenoir Blue Devils. The rising senior guard was their second leading scorer last year at eight points per game and made some clutch plays down the stretch of the season. She rebounds well, makes plays passing the ball, and is really good at attacking the rim. Graham will be counted on heavily this season for a team that barely missed the 2-A state playoffs despite winning 14 games.
JaQuanna McLean (South Lenoir forward, 2022)
Another key Blue Devils player coming back is rising junior forward JaQuanna McLean. She led South Lenoir in rebounding and is a great finisher around the basket. In addition, she helped create a lot of extra possessions for her team leading to second chance points. Expect McLean to increase her output on both ends of the floor and with her and Graham returning, the Blue Devils should be back in the state playoffs.
Janiya Jones (North Lenoir forward, 2022)
Janiya Jones was really good in the last portion of the season for North Lenoir especially in the 2-A state playoffs. The rising junior forward is the second leading returning scorer and led the Hawks in rebound per game last year. North Lenoir is losing some excellent post players to graduation, so expect Jones to be a big part of next seasons team.
Ashanti Lynch (North Lenoir guard, 2022)
Although the Hawks are replacing a really good group of seniors, they’ll have the top player in the county and one of the best in Eastern North Carolina back in Ashanti Lynch. The rising junior guard has been nothing but successful in her first two seasons at North Lenoir and put up 19 points per game on 49% shooting from the field last year. Having her back means the Hawks will likely have another deep postseason run. Thanks to Lynch’s play, North Lenoir had their best playoff run in school history last season (fourth round).