NC 1A: The Top Teams in the State

It is going to be a fun year on the court for North Carolina High School Hoops. There is a ton talent around the state. Here are 6 tremendous teams that are poised for an exceptional season in 2023-2024.

The Falls Lake Firebirds had a fantastic season in 2022-2023. They return two of their top players in Emerson Thompson Emerson Thompson 5'9" | CG Falls Lake Academy | 2024 State NC and Jenae Mason. Thompson was the team’s leading scorer in her junior season. She scored over 21 points per contest. Additionally, she grabbed 10 rebounds, passed for 9 assists, and defended with urgency. Mason was an aggressive player who scored 9 points and collected nearly 10 rebounds per night. The Firebirds will be back and ready for another spectacular season in Creedmoor. 

Tamaya Walden – and her 22 points per game – may have graduated from Chatham Charter High School, however, Meah Brooks Meah Brooks 5'9" | SF Chatham Charter | 2024 NC is ready to step into the spotlight. She scored on over 54% of her shots from the floor in 2022-2023 and averaged 14 points per game. On defense, Brooks is a stopper. She led her team in blocks per game and snagged over 7 rebounds per night. Delana Loflin also returns for the Knights. She is a do-it-all player who scored 8 points, passed for over 4 assists, grabbed 4 boards, and created nearly 4 steals per contest for her squad. 

Aubrie Wachacha was the third leading scoring for Robbinsville High School a year ago. She scored over 8 points while shooting over 47% from the floor. Wachacha is an aggressive player who was able to earn multiple trips to the foul line each game for her team. She drained over 67% of her free throw attempts. Additionally, Wachacha is a fantastic defender. Each game, she blocked shots, forced steals, and led her team in rebounds per game. Liz Carpenter had a tremendous sophomore season for the Black Knights. She scored over 8 points per game, grabbed over 5 rebounds, and created several steals each contest. Wachacha and Carpenter will lead the way for their team, and the sophomore class will be ready to contribute in huge ways. Suri Watty, Abby Wehr, and Katie-Lyn Gross will be prepared for another great season in Robbinsville. 

Adelaide Jernigan Adelaide Jernigan 5'10" | CG Bishop McGuinness | 2025 State NC scored 18 points per game in her sophomore season at Bishop McGuinness. She helped lead her team to a State Championship with a smooth left-handed jump shot. She also grabbed 4 rebounds, forced 2 steals, and passed for several assists per game. Jernigan has a picture-perfect outside shot that goes in – a lot – for her team. A year ago, she scored on 35% of her shots from behind the three-point line, and she connected on 51% of her shots from the floor. Jernigan led her team with 59 made three-pointers in 32 games. She also led her team in free throws made, free throws attempted, and free throw percentage in 2022-2023. Additionally, Kiersten Varner is a senior who will also make an impact this season on the court for the Villains. She scored 5 points and grabbed 2 rebounds per game in her junior campaign. Super-skilled sophomores Claire Sullivan and Jenna Moore will also be ready for a larger role on the court with increased playing time. 

Cherokee won 26 games in 2022-2023, and they finished their conference with a perfect 10 and 0 record. They are a spectacular team on defense that is led by Cecily Swimmer Cecily Swimmer 5'3" | PG Cherokee | 2026 State NC , Creedon Arch, and Whitney Rogers Whitney Rogers 5'6" | CG Cherokee | 2025 NC . Swimmer pressures the basketball and is able to score in transition or from deep behind the three-point line. She has a nice outside shot and a quick release. Rogers is an aggressive defender who shoots passing lanes and creates quick offense for Cherokee High. Arch is an unselfish player who has remarkable court vision. She is willing to pass ahead in the open court or drive and dish to an open teammate.  It will be another special season on the court for the Braves in 2023-2024. 

Mountain Heritage returns their top five scorers from a season ago. Keira Wilson is a 6’2 senior who led her team in points per game, rebounds per game, and blocked shots per game in 2022-2023. Vega Deyton is also ready for a special senior season for the Cougars. She averaged 9 points and shot over 42% from the field a year ago. Deyton also has the ability to drive hard to the rim and score, get fouled, or dish to a teammate on the perimeter. As a junior, she passed for nearly 3 assists per night. Lilly Neill is a glue player who is willing to score, play defense, rebound or block shots for Mountain Heritage. In her sophomore season, she scored 8 points, tracked down 7 boards, forced 3 steals, and passed for 2 assists per night for her squad. The Cougars are back and ready for a special season in 2023-2024.