The NCHSAA boys’ basketball regular season tips off Friday.

Do area high teams have what it takes to stand out in their conferences and perhaps make deep playoff runs? Here is a list of area NCHSAA and private-school players you need to pay attention to during the 2025-2026 season. 

Matthew Crittenden, Croatan: The senior big man looks to play an even bigger role after he averaged 6.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game to help the Cougars go 17-8 overall, 5-5 in the Coastal Conference and advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Kannon McBride, Croatan: The junior guard is the only returning player from last year’s first-team all-area team. It may take McBride a bit to step onto the court as he is the quarterback of the Cougars’ football team that’s in the playoffs. Last year, McBride averaged 21.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals.

Dylan Langston, Dixon: The junior hopes to increase the productivity after he averaged 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one steal for the Bulldogs, who went 3-21 overall and 1-9 in the Coastal Conference.

Noah Wright, Dixon: The junior is also a player who looks to step up after he averaged 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Zach Ball, East Duplin: The senior hopes to make a bigger impact after he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals for the Panthers, who went 11-11 overall and 3-9 in the East Central Conference.

Aaron Hall, East Duplin: The senior also looks to elevate his game after he averaged 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.3 assists.

Keelan Torrie, Jacksonville: The senior guard is the Cardinals’ most experienced senior. He looks to make several contributions after he averaged 3.3 points, 1.8 assists and 1.6 rebounds for Jacksonville, which went 8-13 overall, 6-6 in the Big Carolina Conference and lost in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs.

Elijah Winston, Lejeune: The senior guard is the most experienced returning player for the Devilpups, who went 17-7 overall, won the Coastal Plains Conference title at 9-1, won the league’s tournament title and advanced to the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one steal.

Deon Whitner, Liberty Christian: The senior is the Heat’s top returning scorer as he averaged 12 points to go along with 7.4 rebounds, 2.3 steals, two blocks and one assist.

Ethan Watson, Liberty Christian: The senior looks to showcase his skills in a new uniform after he played at Southwest last year.

Jaiden Cooper, Living Water Christian: The senior is the Warriors’ top returning scorer and rebounder as he averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 boards to go along with 1.7 blocks to help Living Water go 16-11 overall.

Noah McKay, Living Water Christian: The senior looks to play a big role in his first season with the Warriors after he averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists last year for Northside.

Joaliel Caraballo, Northside: The junior guard looks to have a breakout season after he averaged 9.8 points, five steals, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Monarchs, who went 5-15 overall and 1-11 in the Big Carolina Conference. He was also on the Onslow County Classic all-tournament team.

Reginald Gray III, Northside: The sophomore forward played a key role as a freshman last year as he averaged a team-high 10.4 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 rebounds. It may take Gray a while to get on the court, however, as he is the quarterback of the Monarchs’ football team that’s in the playoffs.

Peyton Mayhew, Northside: The senior guard looks to make even bigger contributions after he averaged 8.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals.

Jamir Mitchell, Northside: The junior forward also hopes to be a bigger factor after he averaged 6.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

Dwight Hooker, Richlands: The junior hopes to help lead the Wildcats after he averaged 17 points, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.1 rebounds at Living Water Christian last year.

Carlos Pagan, Southwest: The junior guard is an experienced ball handler for the Stallions who averaged 8.3 points, 2.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals last year for Southwest, which was 24-4 overall, shared the East Central Conference title at 11-1 and advanced to the fourth round of the NCHSAA playoffs.

Lorenzo Floyd, Swansboro: The senior will certainly have a bigger role after the Pirates graduated their top five players off last year’s team that went 25-2 overall, 10-0 in the Coastal Conference and advanced to the NCHSAA East Regional final.

Zarion Hobbs, White Oak: The junior point guard is the Vikings’ only returner starter from a team that went 17-9 overall, 7-3 in the Coastal Conference and advanced to the third round of the playoffs. Hobbs was second-team all-area after he averaged 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals.