Beginning this year, the Charlotte Observer and News & Observer will have a weekly statewide boys basketball ranking, as it did for football. There will also be an all-state team, which we call the Super Team.
This story is a subscriber exclusive The statewide ranking will be one poll, the top 20 teams regardless of classification, as well as a separate poll for non-association teams. Players from non-association teams will also have a separate post-season all-star team. Also, beginning next week, we’ll have additional rankings by classification.
PRESEASON NC TOP 20
1. Greensboro Day School (NCISAA 4A)
2. J.L. Chambers (NCHSAA 4A)
3. The Burlington School (NCISAA 2A)
4. Weddington (NCHSAA 4A)
5. Carmel Christian (NCISAA 4A)
6. Providence Day (NCISAA 4A)
7. Farmville Central (NCHSAA 2A)
8. North Mecklenburg (NCHSAA 4A)
9. Myers Park (NCHSAA 4A)
10. West Charlotte (NCHSAA 3A)
11. Central Cabarrus (NCHSAA 3A)
12. Trinity Academy (NCISAA 2A)
13. Christ School (NCISAA 4A)
14. South Central (NCHSAA 4A)
15. Cox Mill (NCHSAA 4A)
16. Kinston (NCHSAA 2A)
17. United Faith (NCISAA 1A)
18. Greenfield School (NCISAA 1A)
19. Northside Christian (NCISAA 2A)
20. Westminster Catawba (NCISAA 2A)
PRESEASON NC SUPER TEAM FIRST TEAM
Jaylen Curry, Chambers, 6-2, junior,
G MJ Collins, Westminster Catawba/Virginia Tech, 6-4, senior,
G Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior, 6-6, soph,
F Jarin Stevenson, Seaforth, 6-10, soph,
C Deante Green, Asheville Christian/Florida State, 6-9, Senior, F
Notes:
As a member of the USA Basketball 16U National team, 6-2 Jaylen Curry averaged 8.8 PPG, 5.7 APG and 3.8 SPG to help the USA to a 6-0 record and Gold Medal at the 2021 FIBA Americas 16U championship. Known for his ability to run a team efficiently on the offensive side of the ball, Curry is an underrated defender.
MJ Collins went stock exploded this past year and looks to be an impact player at Virginia Tech. Sophomores Paul McNeil and Jarin Stevenson have a chance to be special players for their class nationally. McNeil sports offers from NC State, Clemson, Indiana and Tennessee.
In speaking with Garner Road’s Dwayne West, he stated McNeil has a chance to be one of the best players ever to play for Garner Road. That’s saying a lot since TJ Warren and Devonte Graham both played for Garner Road and are currently in the NBA.
Stevenson currently sports offers from UNC and Wake Forest. Stevenson’s mother played at UNC and his father played at Richmond and played professionally overseas. His father is now the head coach at newly formed Seaforth High School. In addition, Stevenson is highly skilled and also wears a size 19 shoe.
SECOND TEAM
Nik Graves, Greensboro Day/Charlotte, 6-3, senior,
G Chase Lowe, Weddington, 6-5, senior,
G Comeh Emuobar, Ravenscroft, 6-5, soph,
G Xavier McKelvy, United Faith, 6-2, Sr,
G Davis Molnar, Terry Sanford/Furman, 6-7, senior,
F Noah Ross, Trinity Academy/UNC-Wilmington, 6-7, senior,
F Daniel Sanford, J.L. Chambers/South Carolina, 6-7, senior,
F Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian/Belmont, 6-8, senior,
NC GIRLS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Class Of 2022 (Alphabetically)
Amiya Joyner (Farmville Central)
Imani Lester (North Raleigh Christian)
Indya Nivar (Apex Friendship)
Torin Rogers (Murphy)
Class Of 2023 (Alphabetically)
Reychel Douglas (Millbrook-Raleigh)
Maraja Pass (Shelby)
Class Of 2024 (Alphabetically)
Ella Hobbs (Robinson-Concord)
Zamareya Jones (North Pitt)
Sarah Strong (Grace Christian-Raleigh)
Blanca Thomas (Charlotte Catholic)
This story is a subscriber exclusive The statewide ranking will be one poll, the top 20 teams regardless of classification, as well as a separate poll for non-association teams. Players from non-association teams will also have a separate post-season all-star team. Also, beginning next week, we’ll have additional rankings by classification.
PRESEASON NC TOP 20
1. Greensboro Day School (NCISAA 4A)
2. J.L. Chambers (NCHSAA 4A)
3. The Burlington School (NCISAA 2A)
4. Weddington (NCHSAA 4A)
5. Carmel Christian (NCISAA 4A)
6. Providence Day (NCISAA 4A)
7. Farmville Central (NCHSAA 2A)
8. North Mecklenburg (NCHSAA 4A)
9. Myers Park (NCHSAA 4A)
10. West Charlotte (NCHSAA 3A)
11. Central Cabarrus (NCHSAA 3A)
12. Trinity Academy (NCISAA 2A)
13. Christ School (NCISAA 4A)
14. South Central (NCHSAA 4A)
15. Cox Mill (NCHSAA 4A)
16. Kinston (NCHSAA 2A)
17. United Faith (NCISAA 1A)
18. Greenfield School (NCISAA 1A)
19. Northside Christian (NCISAA 2A)
20. Westminster Catawba (NCISAA 2A)
PRESEASON NC SUPER TEAM FIRST TEAM
Jaylen Curry, Chambers, 6-2, junior,
G MJ Collins, Westminster Catawba/Virginia Tech, 6-4, senior,
G Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior, 6-6, soph,
F Jarin Stevenson, Seaforth, 6-10, soph,
C Deante Green, Asheville Christian/Florida State, 6-9, Senior, F
Notes:
As a member of the USA Basketball 16U National team, 6-2 Jaylen Curry averaged 8.8 PPG, 5.7 APG and 3.8 SPG to help the USA to a 6-0 record and Gold Medal at the 2021 FIBA Americas 16U championship. Known for his ability to run a team efficiently on the offensive side of the ball, Curry is an underrated defender.
MJ Collins went stock exploded this past year and looks to be an impact player at Virginia Tech. Sophomores Paul McNeil and Jarin Stevenson have a chance to be special players for their class nationally. McNeil sports offers from NC State, Clemson, Indiana and Tennessee.
In speaking with Garner Road’s Dwayne West, he stated McNeil has a chance to be one of the best players ever to play for Garner Road. That’s saying a lot since TJ Warren and Devonte Graham both played for Garner Road and are currently in the NBA.
Stevenson currently sports offers from UNC and Wake Forest. Stevenson’s mother played at UNC and his father played at Richmond and played professionally overseas. His father is now the head coach at newly formed Seaforth High School. In addition, Stevenson is highly skilled and also wears a size 19 shoe.
SECOND TEAM
Nik Graves, Greensboro Day/Charlotte, 6-3, senior,
G Chase Lowe, Weddington, 6-5, senior,
G Comeh Emuobar, Ravenscroft, 6-5, soph,
G Xavier McKelvy, United Faith, 6-2, Sr,
G Davis Molnar, Terry Sanford/Furman, 6-7, senior,
F Noah Ross, Trinity Academy/UNC-Wilmington, 6-7, senior,
F Daniel Sanford, J.L. Chambers/South Carolina, 6-7, senior,
F Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian/Belmont, 6-8, senior,
NC GIRLS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Class Of 2022 (Alphabetically)
Amiya Joyner (Farmville Central)
Imani Lester (North Raleigh Christian)
Indya Nivar (Apex Friendship)
Torin Rogers (Murphy)
Class Of 2023 (Alphabetically)
Reychel Douglas (Millbrook-Raleigh)
Maraja Pass (Shelby)
Class Of 2024 (Alphabetically)
Ella Hobbs (Robinson-Concord)
Zamareya Jones (North Pitt)
Sarah Strong (Grace Christian-Raleigh)
Blanca Thomas (Charlotte Catholic)
