Feb 26

Feb 26 NNS Basketball Playoffs: Trey's Predictions

NCHSAA BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS ROUND 2 (THURSDAY)

Boys
3A

#3 (18-3) Northeastern vs #14 (16-8) South Lenoir (AWAY 7PM)
-NE is tough. They have some really good wins this season against some good playoff teams. (Eastern Wayne, First Flight, 2x Martin County, Pasqoutank, Currituck County)
-Eagles have three guys that avg 15+ ppg game, three guys avg 5+ rebounds per game, and two guys with over 45 made three pointers each.
-NE has multiple starters returning from the 3rd round playoff team from last year that went 23-3 and took Kinston out of the playoffs.
PREDICTION: Northeastern by 6.
I really like this South Lenoir team. I think the Gavin Brock x Jaylyn Mills combo is deadly and can possibly pull this off. Mills can be a match-up problem for the Eagles. Gavin will have to score 20+ for the Blue Devils to win. I hope I am wrong but I think NE has too much experience and have been battle tested more.

#7 (20-6) West Bladen vs #10 (15-9) Greene Central (AWAY)
-WB is lead by two 6’3 seniors that both avg 17-18 ppg.
-WB has one quality wins versus good teams (Currituck County)
-Played Farmville twice lost both times in similar fashion as GC (74-50, 71-64)
PREDICTION: Greene Central by 4
The biggest difference maker West Bladen had last year was 6’8 forward that is playing for The Citidale now. Six of the 9 losses Greene Central has came to Farmville, Kinston, and JH Rose. The Rams have arguably played one of the toughest schedules in the state. I think they will be prepared for this game, however they have to hit shots.

#2 (17-3) Kinston vs #15 (14-11) Whiteville (HOME 7PM)
-Whiteville defeated Ayden-Grifton 69-56 in the first round.
-They have one quality win versus (19-4) Southeastern Christian Academy
-Their top 4 out of 5 scorers are freshman and sophomores.
PREDICITION: Kinston by 18
Kinston runs through Whiteville on this opening playoff game in the Zoo. I just don’t see anything that will support Whiteville giving the Vikings any type of problems. Jamarion Washington, Genesis Wiggins, and Keyshawn Herring all score in the double digits in this one.

4A

#18 (11-15) North Lenoir at #2 (20-5) Washington (AWAY 7PM)
-Washington is #2 seed for a reason, they are the only team to defeat #1 seed Reidsville this season and they took 3A #1 seed 24-0 Farmville to overtime.
-North Lenoir has faced Washington 3x this season and has lost by 54, 40, and 30.
-Washignton is led by 3 seniors Shimere Garris (21 ppg 8 rpg) Chaise Smith (20.6 ppg 7.5 apg) and Jarryd Payne (17.9 ppg, 7 rpg)
PREDICTION: Washington by 23
I think this North Lenoir team has got better through out the season. They had ups and downs all season long but the last 2-3 weeks they have seemed to be more cohesive and have more fight. However, Washington is a very very very good team with a lot of star power. I don’t see Washington dropping this one.

Girls
3A

#1 (21-1) Kinston vs #17 (12-13) Whiteville (HOME 6PM)
-Whiteville is ran through their senior center #55 Ceona Dennis (13.6 ppg 9.4 rpg)
-Only two players with over 10 3-pters made on the team (16,10)
-Whiteville has not defeated a team with a winning record this season. Zero quality wins.
PREDICTION: Kinston by 34
Kinston will be ready for this one. Vikings lost in the first round last season and had 12 month to think about it with every single player returning from last year. Kinston will match up great against Dennis, J-Edwards, America Lloyd and Willow Gardner will be on her like glue while Kinston transitions to a double digit win to the third round.

#5 (15-8) Greene Central vs #12 (14-12) Martin Co (HOME 6PM)
-The Gators score most of the their points in the paint. They shot 21% from the 3pt
-Martin is led by three players avg 11.8 ppg, 10.3 ppg, 10.3 ppg. (#3 Williams, #1 Rodgers, #20 Williams)
-Martin has one win against a winning team this season but it was a great win versus 21-4 Gates County.
PREDICTION: Greene Central by 7
I think the style of play Martin has plays right into the lap of the front court heavy Rams. The Rams are heavy on the front line with Wooten, Schuster, and Russel. The Rams have no problem defending the paint or rebounding. Guard play for the Rams will be critical as Martin has shown glimpses on taking down great teams with their Gates County win. I got the Rams.

4A

#19 (10-14) North Lenoir at #3 (23-1) Clinton (AWAY 6PM)
-Clinton has lost one game this season and it was their last game to 19-6 East Duplin.
-Clinton goes off their defense averaging 26 steals per game and four different players averaging atleast 4 steals per game.
-Watch out for Rubi Davila she leads the team in scoring and can go! She is averaging 12.8 ppg shooting 43 percent from the field and she has been to the line 156 times this season in 24 games.
PREDICTION: Clinton by 5
This one is tough. I think the Hawks are way better than their record with Cassidee Fraser in and out the line up all season effected their seeding and record. However, turnovers for the Hawks scare me against this Clinton team that averages a fast break every play it seems like. For the Hawks to have a chance to win they must limit turnovers and keep Davila from getting the Hawks in foul trouble. I think this game is way closer than it looks on paper, Hawks have a legit shot.