Not Too Early Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference Preview
The Eastern Carolina 2-A conference is one of the more competitive conferences in North Carolina. It’s a conference that normally sends multiple teams to the state playoffs and usually has one or two teams make deep postseason runs. Last season,…
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Continue ReadingThe Eastern Carolina 2-A conference is one of the more competitive conferences in North Carolina. It’s a conference that normally sends multiple teams to the state playoffs and usually has one or two teams make deep postseason runs. Last season, Kinston, the team that’s reigned over the conference for many years, made it back to the regional finals for the fourth time in a row. In-county rival North Lenoir also had their best playoff run in school history going to the fourth round. Here is a preview of what’s in store for the ECC in 2021.
Kinston
Kinston is the perennial powerhouse of girls basketball in this conference for several years. Despite being down 15 to start, they were able to once again win the conference tournament and regular season title last year. Going into this season, the Vikings graduated their top eight scorers from 2019-20 and are looking for young players to step up. However, they do have three 2021 prospects, Kahlia Hargett, Winter Lane, and Kenya Forbes, that’ll lead the way as they look to remain atop the conference.
North Lenoir
If there’s a team that has a really good chance to end the Vikings conference title streak, it’s North Lenoir. The Hawks were ever so close last year, but as mentioned, Kinston came back to beat them for the title last season. There’s still much to look forward to for the Hawks despite losing three key starters from last year. They do have the best returning player in the conference: 2022 standout guard Ashanti Lynch Ashanti Lynch 5'8" | CG North Lenoir | 2022 State NC . Lynch holds an offer from Winston-Salem State and will see her recruitment rise over the next few months.
South Lenoir
South Lenoir has consistently won games and put players at the next level over the last several years. They’ll be led by 2022 forward JaQuanna McClain who is a beast on the boards. Add 2021 guards Tyra Graham and Tiffany Croom and that makes them an even more formidable bunch. Expect them to be a major player in this conference once again.
Ayden-Grifton
The Ayden-Grifton Chargers are another difficult out in the ECC and led by 2021 guard Cedaria Little, they’ll be that this year. However, this team will be replacing a really good senior class, so it’ll be up to the players outside of Little to step up if they want to be successful this year.
Washington
After a tough season in 2020, Washington is looking to bounce back this season led by 2021 guard Arissa Kim among others. The Pam Pack lost a lot of close games that could’ve helped them reach the postseason last year. Expect them to be another tough out in a very good conference.
West Craven
The Eagles finished at the bottom of the conference last year and lost most of their starters to graduation. A player to watch for them is 2023 guard Courtney Brown and they’re looking to improve on a two-win season from a year ago.