The NCHSAA basketball playoffs tip off Tuesday with first-round games.
Throughout the season’s chronicles, it’s easy for area pick out the star players from opposing teams. But what about non-local squads? It may be difficult for non-area teams to game plan or even defend the best players.
Considering that, here is a list of area basketball players who will be hard to stop once they get going in the postseason and who can put their teams on their shoulders and lead them to wins:
BOYS
Reginald “3J” Gray III: The sophomore is one of the area’s best athletes, and he utilizes high talents by averaging 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals. Just like he is as the football team’s quarterback, Gray is simply a playmaker.
Domonic Hall, East Duplin: The 6-foot-5 sophomore averages 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, one assist and one steal. His height could help decided if the Panthers are to find playoff success.
Zarion Hobbs, White Oak: The junior averages 24.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals. Hobbs gets plenty of help from his teammates, but he makes the Vikings so and when he turns on the switch, he elevates White Oak to an even more dangerous team.
Connor May, Swansboro: The junior recently returned from missing six games with an injury. The Pirates held their own without May, but him returning gives Swansboro a boost as he averages 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals.
Kannon McBride, Croatan: The 6-foot-3 junior averages 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 steals. McBride is the Cougars’ top scorer, but he also gets it done on the glass and defense, and he will need to have big games if Croatan is to make a deep run.
Carlos Pagan, Southwest: The junior averages 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals while emerging as a standout as he’s stepped into a leadership role. Pagan can play with any opponent, and if he has a big game, the Stallions could earn an upset or two.
Maurice Thomas, Lejeune: The 6-4 freshman is one of the state’s best ninth-grade players as he averages 19.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. Thomas could be a match-up problem for opposing teams.
Noah Wright, Dixon: The junior has played a role in the Bulldogs’ progression as he averages 16.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals. If he and teammate Grady Adams both get hot, Dixon could be a surprise team.
GIRLS
Lily Borden, Dixon: The sophomore is one of the area’s top scorers as she averages 15.8 points to go along with 4.2 rebounds, three steals and 2.2 assists. If she can find an early shooting touch, that could give the Bulldogs confidence they can build off on in the playoffs.
Kinsey Cave, East Duplin: The junior is one of the area’s best athletes, and she certainly takes advantage of her skills by averaging 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.1 steals. Cave’s scoring will be important, but look for her to also set the defensive tone.
Izabella Hernandez, Jacksonville: The 5-2 junior is typically one of the smallest players on the court, but she is known for being one of the most fearless on the floor. She averages 19.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 steals and two assists as the floor general for the Cardinals.
Aariel Jemison, White Oak: The senior averages 11.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.7 assists. Her experience and leadership will be key if the Vikings are to earn an upset.
Addison King, Swansboro: The junior has emerged as one of the area’s best players and a team leader as she averages 12.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.2 assists for the Pirates, who have their most wins since they went 18-7 in 2020.
Brinkleyanne Lucas, Southwest: The sophomore averages 14.6 points, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals and 2.7 rebounds. If she can have a big game, the Stallions could earn an upset.
Neely McMannen, Croatan: The senior was already having an impressive individual season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.1 steals, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists, but her play is even more important given the Cougars are without two injured starters. Her leadership, skill and composure will be important if Croatan is to make a run.
Mia Wells, Richlands: The senior is one of the area’s best athletes. She averages 9.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, three steals and 2.9 assists.
Madyson Wills, Northside: The 6-2 senior can play a huge inside role for the Monarchs as she averages 11.4 points and 13.6 rebounds, who won their most games since they went 9-13 in 2018.
First Round
No. 24 Northern Durham (6-18) at No. 9 Swansboro (16-8)
No. 6 White Oak (17-6) — bye
Hosts either No. 22 East Chapel Hill (8-14) or No. 11 Southern Lee (16-7)
No. 21 Western Alamance (8-14) at No. 12 Northside (13-7)
No. 23 Dixon (8-17) at No. 10 Seaforth (17-6)
No. 6 Croatan (20-7) — bye
Hosts either No. 22 Orange (10-15) or No. 11 Northeast Guilford (17-9)
No. 21 North Pitt (7-15) at No. 12 East Duplin (11-11)
No. 18 North Lenoir (10-15) at No. 15 Southwest (11-13)
No. 18 Lejeune (7-10) at No. 15 East Bladen (10-15)
No. 17 White Oak (9-14) at No. 16 Harnett Central (9-13)
No. 23 Northern Nash (7-15) at No. 10 Jacksonville (15-9)
No. 6 Swansboro (15-6) — bye
Hosts either No. 22 West Brunswick (6-19) or J.H. Rose (14-9)
No. 17 St. Pauls (10-12) at No. 16 Northside (10-10)
No. 24 Richlands (4-18) at No. 9 C.B. Aycock (16-5)
No. 19 Montgomery Central (9-15) at No. 14 Dixon (13-10)
No. 3 Croatan (22-3) — bye
Hosts either Montgomery Central or Dixon
No. 23 Southwest (9-16) at No. 10 Uwharrie Charter (19-6)
No. 8 East Duplin (19-6) — bye
Hosts either No. 24 Jordan-Matthews (5-19) or No. 9 Southwestern Randolph (17-5)