NC 3A: The Top Teams in the State

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

Cape Fear returns their top four of five scorers from a remarkable season in 2022-2023. They finished 25 and 5 and won their conference with a 13 and 1 record. Jayda Angel Jayda Angel 5'6" | CG Cape Fear | 2024 State NC , Kayla Starling, Teralyn Harris and Anijah Jones all return to the court for the Colts this season. Angel scored over 29 points per game while grabbing 8 rebounds, forcing over 6 steals, and passing for 5 dimes per contest a year ago. Additionally, Starling was able to score over 9 points per contest and collect 5 boards. Harris and Jones both scored over 6 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and passed for multiple assists each game. Cape Fear is ready for another special season in Fayetteville. 

One year ago, West Rowan won 31 games – and a state championship – and they return the core of their team to the court this season. Lauren Arnold Lauren Arnold 5'11" | SF West Rowan | 2024 State NC is back for the Falcons. She scored over 15 points per game in 2022-2023. The floor general – Demya Phifer Demya Phifer 5'7" | PG West Rowan | 2024 State NC – is also back. She scored 13 points per game in her junior season at point guard. Tiara Thompson Tiara Thompson 5'7" | PG West Rowan | 2026 State NC was only a freshman last season, however, she was a huge impact. Each night, Thompson would scored over 12 points per game. Emma Clarke Emma Clarke 6'0" | SF West Rowan | 2024 NC is a senior that will be ready for a huge year on the floor. As a junior, she scored over 9 points per game and tracked multiple rebounds for West Rowan. 

South Central High School returns a lot of pieces from a successful season in 2022-2023. They are led by Brooklynne Evans. She was the leading scorer for her squad in her freshman campaign with over 14 points per game. Evan is extremely efficient and drained over 47 % of her shots from the field. In 2022-2023, Evans also led her team in rebounds per game and blocked shots per game. Additionally, Sabraya Baker Sabraya Baker 5'3" | CG South Central | 2024 NC scored 14 points per game in her junior season for the Falcons. Jaidyn Baswell is a defensive stopper that created over 3 steals and rebounded well for South Central in her sophomore season. 

East Lincoln returns their top three scoring threats from a 31 and 1 record in 2022-2023. Hailey Mcfaddden scored over 11 points per game in her sophomore season. She also averaged nearly 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and multiple blocked shots each contest. Emma Montanari Emma Montanari 5'8" | CG East Lincoln | 2026 State NC and Kiara Anderson Kiara Anderson 5'4" | PG East Lincoln | 2026 NC had amazing freshman campaigns for the Mustangs. Montanari scored 11 points while shooting over 54% from the field. Anderson scored over 10 points and led her team with 4 assists per game. Anderson also led East Lincoln in steals with 4 per game. East Lincoln should be excited for another outstanding season in 2023-2024. 

Trista Charles Trista Charles 5'11" | CG Oak Grove | 2025 State NC scored nearly 15 points per game for Oak Grove in her sophomore season. However, Charles was more than just a scorer for her team. A year ago, she averaged 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and shot over 81% from the free throw line. Avery Ray scored 8 points and averaged 6 rebounds in her junior campaign at Oak Grove. The Grizzlies won 21 games in 2022-2023 and won the Conference 47. Charles and her teammates will be ready for another 20-win campaign in Winston-Salem. 

Ben L. Smith High School returns Morgan Smith and Azahreya Drayton-Gill Azahreya Drayton-Gill 5'9" | SF Ben L. Smith | 2024 NC . As juniors, both players scored 14 points per game. Smith also forced 4 steals per game while Drayton-Gill collected 8 rebounds and passed for 3 assists a night. They won 25 games, went undefeated in their conference, and return several key players to the court this season like Azaria Scott Azaria Scott 5'2" | PG Ben L. Smith | 2024 NC .  She is the team’s defensive stopper. Scott forced nearly 5 steals per night for the Golden Eagles in 2022-2023.