The high school basketball season is underway in the state of North Carolina. Take a look at the NCHSAA 1A contenders in the first edition of the Contender Series.
East Wake Academy
Charlie Whitley, Bryant Pierce and Tanner Pate are a senior trio off to a 3-0 start to the 2021-22 season over at East Wake Academy. Whitley has been a double-double machine and paint stopper on the defense end while Pierce and Pate have done their own thing in the backcourt. They’re an early squad to keep an eye on with games against Neuse Charter (12/10) and Franklinton (12/15) coming up which should keep them unbeaten.
Bessemer City
Growing pains have worked out for the Bessemer City Yellow Jackets. After going 6-6 in 2020-21, they’re 5-0 on the young season, well on pace to trump last year’s win-total and then some. 2023s
Keyshawn Adams
Keyshawn
Adams
6'6″ | PF
Bessemer City | 2023
State
NC
and Randall Pettus are a few names to keep an eye on for them this season.
Wilson Prep
Last year’s NCHSAA 1A champion is back and ready for more with 2022 guard Christian Battle leading the charge. They’re 1-0 on the season with games against North Edgecombe (12/7), Rocky Mount Prep (12/10) and Camden County (12/11) in a busy 3-game week. 2024s
David Ellis II
David
Ellis II
6'8″ | C
Wilson Prep | 2024
State
NC
,
Brandon Anderson
Brandon
Anderson
6'3″ | PG
Wilson Prep | 2024
State
NC
and
Daidien Sutton
Daidien
Sutton
6'4″ | SF
Hunt | 2024
State
NC
are some early young names to track for them.
Chatham Charter
Chatham Charter got their first real test this past Friday in a 53-52 loss to Uwharrie Charter. 2023
Adam Harvey
Adam
Harvey
6'3″ | SF
Chatham Charter | 2023
State
NC
leads the way for a squad that’s already 8-1 in 2021-22. They’ve got a blend of old and young names that should gel by season’s end. 2025s Brennan Oldham and
Beau Harvey
Beau
Harvey
6'0″ | CG
Northwood | 2025
State
NC
are also one’s to watch.
KIPP Pride
2023s
Chicale Ward
Chicale
Ward
6'4″ | SF
Bull City Prep | 2023
State
NC
and
Khyelle Ingram
Khyelle
Ingram
6'5″ | CG
Bull City Prep | 2023
State
NC
are quite the dynamic duo back at KIPP Pride High. Ward is a 6-foot-5 prospect that’s still coming into his own on the hardwood as a two-way presence. Ingram is a lot more deliberate with the ball, looking to make plays for himself and others and also boasts a strong frame allowing him to defend inside and out. They’re off to a 2-0 start in 2021-22.