(1) Northwood vs. (2) EE Smith
There is an obvious amount of anticipation surrounding this contest, as many people predicted Northwood as title favorites prior to the season while EE Smith has emerged as a nightmarish matchup for the opposition. Looking at Golden Bulls, they have a bevy of useful pieces with Malik Brunson, Travis Stroud, Joshua Smith, Jonathan Williams, and Decarlo Brunson. However, their success ultimately starts and ends with James Scott'who has been nothing short of unstoppable all season long. His numbers speak for themselves, as he continues to reaffirm himself as a top-five player in the senior class. That being said, if any squad has the size and length to give the Golden Bulls problems, it's the Chargers. Not only do they have their own new-age version of a legitimate interior duo with Kenan Parrish and Max Frazier, but they're led by national prospect Drake Powell. Guys like Fred Whitaker, Jake Leighton, Griffin Hobbs, and Cam Fowler play valuable roles and provide this group with quality balance.
(1) Central Cabarrus vs. (22) West Charlotte
No one should be surprised to see either team reaching this point, as this was the exact same matchup from last season's final four'where West Charlotte ended Central Cabarrus' undefeated run. Albeit a few minor roster changes, these two rosters are largely the same with the majority of their respective core pieces returned. Central Cabarrus has been utterly dominant yet again this season, not only beating teams but absolutely obliterating them on a nightly basis. Through 30 games, they've outscored opponents by an average margin of 39.7 PPG (including 46.0 PPG over their last four playoff contests) while beating a slew of noteworthy programs. Their core of Jaiden Thompson, Gavin Bullock, Desmond Kent, and Chase and Carson Daniel allow this group to play an incredibly fast, high-pressure style that naturally wreaks havoc. Guys like Elijah Ford and Adriel Miller also provide meaningful minutes for the Vikings. On the other side, few teams have been more battle-tested this season than West Charlotte'as evidenced by their record and seeding. They've faced some of the top teams in the state and have perfectly set themselves up to emerge come playoff time once more. This group is led by Chad Traylor, Markus Kerr, and the senior trio of Ollie Alford, Mari Day, and Donovan Raymond. Guys like Markiest Houston and Damani Day also play pivotal roles for the Lions. Both sides are incredibly tough, smart, and well-coached; add in the history from last season, and this has all the makings of an amazing basketball game.
