2026 Tristen Gordon (Bessemer City)
Gordon was the one who caught my eye on several occasions, whether it was his ability to attack off the bounce, score and finish through defenders, knock down shots from outside, or his overall motor on the floor. He was able to flourish in a variety of ways for his team and bring a lot of production. Overall, he has been a consistent scoring presence on the court as well as a leader for his team.
2026 Mark Caslaru (Catawba Ridge)
It has been fun to watch the big man anchor the paint all weekend long, but he may have had his best performance on Day 3, proving his ability to be a strong force down low. Of course, he brings great size, but he gives you those flashes of his ability to operate down in the paint with his back to the basket, score over his shoulder with touch, and finish strong at the rim. Add on his presence on the glass and his comfort level to step out from time to time, Caslaru continues to bring intrigue.
2028 Chacho Womack (West Charlotte)
Womack is going to be a guard to really watch this year, as you can see he has added more to his game. He is a high-scoring guard who can fill it up in a hurry, showcasing a fluid release from behind the arc, creating off the dribble and showing touch over defenders. An impressive shotmaker from multiple levels but also shows speed, craftiness, and a strong overall feel for the game. Expect another big year from him.
2027 Tye Clay (Grace Academy)
It was my first time watching Clay in action, and I liked what I saw overall. The point guard gave you a little bit of everything: handles, creativity, vision and court awareness, leadership, and scoring. Clay did a nice job in breaking down defenders off the bounce, finding ways to attack inside and finish well with touch but also knock down shots. If he wasn’t scoring, he was looking to facilitate to open teammates, as he brought a nice overall balance to the court.