NC 4A: The Top Teams in the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rolesville Rams returns four of their top five scoring threats from a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='300653' first='Caitlyn' last='Jones'] scored 18 points per game in her sophomore campaign. She also grabbed 4 rebounds, passed for 4 assists, and created over 4 steals per game. Gabrielle Matthews is another spectacular sophomore for Rolesville. She is a competitor who is able to weave through any defense to score or dish to an open teammate. Matthews attacks the rim and led her team in free throws made - and free throws attempted - in 2022-2023.&nbsp; Additionally, Laila Lewis is ready for a special senior season. Lewis is a glue player for her team. She is willing to do whatever the Rams need her to do on the court. A year ago, she averaged 7 points and 7 rebounds per game. She also led the team in rebounds per game and shots blocked per game in her junior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Norman has a spectacular junior class that will be ready for another outstanding season. [player_tooltip player_id='288422' first='Samantha' last='Shehan'] averaged over 14 points per game in her sophomore season. [player_tooltip player_id='331368' first='Alexis' last='Shehan'] scored 11 points per game while tracking over 5 rebounds. She also led her team in field goal percentage as a sophomore. She scored on 47% of her attempts from the field. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='457411' first='Kelsey' last='Rhyne'] will also be a huge piece to the Wildcat's puzzle this season. One season ago, she scored nearly 13 points per game while also rebounding and defending with purpose. [player_tooltip player_id='288423' first='Addison' last='Sirianni'] and [player_tooltip player_id='302228' first='Aliya' last='Williams'] will also be prepared for spectacular junior seasons. They combined to score 8 points, grab 6 rebounds, pass for 4 assists, and force over 3 steals per game for the Lake Norman Wildcats. Additionally, a young post player named [player_tooltip player_id='509518' first='Jeta' last='North'] will be ready for some major varsity minutes for Lake Norman during the 2023-2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panther Creek Catamounts were led in scoring by [player_tooltip player_id='326206' first='Taylor' last='Barner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389288' first='Olivia' last='Tucker'] during the 2022-2023 season. Barner scored over 19 points per game and Tucker scored nearly 17 points per contest. Barner is skilled at earning trips to the free throw line. When she gets to the line, she makes the opposition pay. A season ago, Barner connected on 83% of her shots from the charity stripe. Tucker can also score in a variety of ways, and she is an amazing defender who pressured the basketball to force over 3 steals per game during her junior campaign. [player_tooltip player_id='563337' first='Kirstin' last='Smalls'] is also ready for a huge season on the court. A year ago, she averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds, multiple steals, and several blocks a year ago. Small finishes well for the Catamounts and led her team by shooting over 53% from the floor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='253883' first='Blanca' last='Thomas'] and Charlotte Catholic are ready for an tremendous season on the court in 2023-2024. Thomas scored over 16 points and grabbed over 9 rebounds per game in her junior season. Thomas led her team in scoring, and [player_tooltip player_id='326208' first='Gracynn' last='Gough'] was a close second. Gough averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and over 1 steals per night. Additional pieces to the puzzle are the skills of [player_tooltip player_id='818298' first='Harper' last='McKain'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252862' first='Olivia' last='Fava']. In 2022-2023, they combined to score over 10 points, collect 4 rebounds, pass for over 4 assists, and create numerous steals for the their Cougar team.&nbsp;It could be another fun year in Charlotte on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillside returns their leading scoring from a magical season in 2022-2023. [player_tooltip player_id='288420' first='Samiyah' last='Barker'] led her team in points per game with over 16 a night in her sophomore season. She is an efficient point guard who scored on 46% of her shots from the floor and over 38% of her threes. Barker is able to score from anywhere on the court, and she is a skilled playmaker as well. A year ago, she led the Hornets in assists per game. Barker also led her team in steals per game in 2022-2023. Mkenzy Green also returns for Hillside. She was a vital part of their success a year ago. She scores, she rebounds, and she defends with urgency. The Hillside Hornets may look different this season, but they will be ready to compete on the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->