What a season it has been but we are now down to the final two teams in each division of the NCHSAA playoffs, as only one can come away with the title. Phenom Hoops previews the matchups in each division, as we look at the 1A.
NCHSAA Championship Preview: 1A
No. 1 seed Chatham Charter vs. No. 1 seed Hayesville
Chatham Charter
Record: 33-1
10-0 in 1A Conference 13
25 game win streak
Hayesville
Record: 27-0
10-0 in 1A Conference 43
27 game win streak
When you look at these two programs, both have been incredibly strong this season and haven’t had much trouble in showing that. Both teams have been averaging around 66-67 points per game but they have been doing it in two different ways. For Hayesville, they are led by their senior duo in Jake McTaggart and Kolbe Ashe, both of whom have been producing at a high level. McTaggart has been a double-double machine all year long, averaging 18.3ppg and 12.1rpg this season, both of which are leading the team. Ashe, a senior guard, isn’t far behind at 17.4ppg, 4.2apg, 3.6rpg, and 2.2spg, really making his mark on the program as well. Even though those two lead the way, the Yellow Jackets also have players like 2023 Ethan Hooper, 2023 Logan Caldwell, and others that have stepped up when called upon as well.
Chatham Charter brings a more balanced attack overall and what makes the Knights even scarier is that they don’t have any seniors and could all be coming back once again. 2023 Adam Harvey leads the way at 16.4ppg and 7.0rpg, while 2023 Aamir Mapp (11.5ppg), 2025 Brennen Oldham (10.3ppg), and 2025 Beau Harvey (10.1ppg) all have produced as well. The Knights have shown that they can get it done on both ends of the court, using that balanced attack offensively but also being a strong team on the defensive end.
These have certainly been two of the top teams in the 1A Division and they now square up on the court for a chance to take home a title.