Yes, it was a catchy title to get to check out the article, but I can answer that question very quickly for you… yes. Yes, Greensboro Day has the talent to once again compete for a state title this year, as Coach Johnson and company look for his 14th state title this season. Returning much of the talent from last year, the Bengals will be on the hunt once again, playing a big-time schedule and proving once again to be one of the premier teams in the state.
We had a sneak preview recently, joining in on a practice to check out another deep roster for Greensboro Day. Here are our takeaways.
Lead Guards:
When you talk about this roster, you have to start with the two lead guards who will see plenty of time on the court this year. 2028 Micah Gunter and 2026 Marty Giant will be leading the way and counted on in a big way, not only being strong scoring factors but also making their presence felt in other ways. Gunter is one of the top guards in North Carolina, showing poise, growth, scoring impact, and control of an offense, as well as being a playmaker. Giant, an underrated guard in NC, continues to thrive in a variety of areas, whether it is driving, knocking down shots, or being an impact defensive player. As a veteran, this will be Giant’s team this season as he will look to set the tone.
Bringing Size to the Court:
What will be interesting with this team is the size that the Bengals will be able to throw out there on any given night. 2027 6’9 Mason Robinson returns after a strong season and will look to showcase more of his impact down in the paint, at the rim, and on the boards. Watch out for 2029 6’9 Grant Duggins as well, as he could potentially be a starter for this team with size, skill, and feel down low in the post. Then you have 2026 7’0 Julian Adigun who continues to take strides with his game, making an impact with his length on either end, stretching the floor, and being a low-post presence as well. They will also have 2027 6’8 Izaiah Drew-King on the roster, providing more size when needed.
X Factors:
I have two players that I will be watching and will be true X-factors for this team. First off, 2028 6’7 Andrew Juergens has made immense strides in his game, possibly one of the most improved players I’ve seen over the last year or so. But now, it is time to showcase that development, as he can play outside on the wing as a shot-maker or creator. I expect him to continue to make strides and be a strong threat to bring balance to this team. Second x-factor to watch for is 2027 6’6 Jagger Emerson, who has missed some time as of late but looks to make his way back to the court and provide strong minutes, as he can bring versatility and scoring to the court. Emerson helps bring this team more variety on the court with his ability to score and play multiple positions.