STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Private School Top 10: Week 3, Explained.
With us now three weeks into the private school season, teams are separating into different categories: Contenders, Pretenders, and TBD. In the triangle, there are a lot more teams in the TBD category than anything else as a half dozen teams have given a lot of mixed signals in regard to what kind of team they’re going to be. This is the first week that a team’s resume begins to enter...
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Wake Hoops: Public School Top 20: Week 1, Explained
High school basketball is back! After 51 public school games over the first week and some change, we’ve finally reached our first ‘Explained’ article of the season. It’s only right that I explain the philosophy behind the rankings. I weigh strength of schedule (SOS), results, and the eye test as the three main components, with the value of each fluctuating as the season progresses. I’ll explain...
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Wake Hoops Private School Top 10: Week 1, Explained
High school basketball is back! After almost 50 private school games over the first ~11 days of the season, we’ve finally reached our first ‘Explained’ article of the season. It’s only right that I explain the philosophy behind the rankings. I weigh strength of schedule (SOS), results, and the eye test as the three main components, with the value of each fluctuating as the season progresses....
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Wake Hoops: Triangle Area 2023-24 Preview
Preseason Awards Player of the Year: Jackson Keith | Southern | 6’6” | Jr. Defensive Player of the Year: David Mirikwe | Chapel Hill | 6’1” | Sr. Newcomer of the Year: Kamran Prince | Trinity Academy | 6’2” | Jr. Freshman of the Year: Julian Lowe | Jordan | 6’4” | Fr. Coach of the Year: Derek Ross | Jordan | 3rd Season Preseason All-Triangle Teams Preseason All-Triangle Honorable Mentions...
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Wake Hoops: DAC 2023-24 Preview
The DAC is entering a rebuilding year with a wide range of talent exiting the conference. Regardless, both Jordan and Chapel Hill are serious East region contenders and there’s a toss-up between the rest of the conference to see who can join them at the top. With just one underclassman making an all-conference team this year, the fewest of the seven conferences, look for an added importance to...
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Wake Hoops: GNRC 2023-24 Preview
After a down year, the GNRC is reloaded and full of talent. They have as good of a top-three as any conference in the East. With just three seniors making an all-conference team, the GNRC will be a gauntlet for the foreseeable future. Preseason Poll Preseason All-Conference Teams Preseason Awards Player of the Year: Andrew Grimes | Clayton | 6’8” | Jr. Grimes is the clear favorite for Player of...
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Wake Hoops: SWAC 2023-24 Preview
The SWAC continues to be one of the best public-school conferences in the state, with Holly Springs making the final four last season and Panther Creek making the state championship the year prior. Five of the eight teams are projected to make the playoffs this season, with two of them having a real shot at a state championship appearance. The conference’s 2025 class is special, representing 10...
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Wake Hoops: NAC 2023-24 Preview
The NAC is loaded with talent this season, coming back around after a down year in the 2022-23 campaign. Four teams have a decent shot at the conference title, with Millbrook, Heritage, Knightdale, and Wakefield all holding real optimism going into the year. This a veteran conference, with 14 of the 20 all-conference selections being seniors. With just one underclassman being named...
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Wake Hoops: CCC 2023-24 Preview
By: Wake Hoops The CCC has a handful of fun storylines to follow. Between Michael Phillips’ breakout, Trinity Academy’s youth movement, and St. David’s rebuild, there’s a lot of excitement brewing throughout the conference. Contrary to the TISAC, there’s just four underclassmen selected to an all-conference team. This is also one of the deepest conferences for guards in the triangle, with 13 of...
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Wake Hoops: TISAC 2023-24 Preview
By: Wake Hoops The TISAC projects to be one of the more tightly contested conferences this season, with all four teams having good reason to believe they can make serious noise. This conference also has arguably the best freshman crop of anyone in the triangle, with four (!!) of the 15 all-conference selections coming from the 2027 class. Preseason Poll Preseason All-Conference Teams Preseason...
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Wake Hoops Team Preview: Clayton
2022-23: 14-12 (9-5), 4th in GNRC, 1st Round of Playoffs (L to Lumberton (59-62)) Key Losses Matthew Eaton – 8p, 3r, 2a, 1s – Graduated – Playing at Lake Raleigh PrepBryan Harris – 5p, 4r, 2a, 1s – GraduatedSharod Sorrell – 4p, 3r, 2a, 1s – Graduated – Playing at Lake Raleigh PrepDana Thompson – 3p, 1r, 1a, 1s – GraduatedWill Kilpatrick...
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Wake Hoops Team Preview: Chapel Hill
2022-23: 19-8 (7-5), 3rd in DAC, 1st Round of Playoffs (L to Sanderson 48-53) Key Losses Ryan MacKinnon – 15p, 7r, 2a, 1s, 55 3pm – Graduated – Playing at Choate Rosemary HallTyler Stillson – 8p, 3r, 1a, 50 3pm – Graduated – Playing Baseball at Case Western Key Returners David Mirikwe – Sr – 9p, 3r, 3a, 2sFranklin Johnson – Sr – 8p, 4r,...
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Wake Hoops: Cardinal Gibbons Preview
By: Wake Hoops 2022-23: 13-15 (7-3), 1st in CAP-6, 2nd Round of Playoffs (L to Broughton 56-58) Key Losses Connor Higginbotham – 13p, 3r, 2a, 1s, 34 3pm – GraduatedAlex Fannéy – 10p, 5r, 1a, 1s, 46 3pm – Graduated – Playing at Washington & LeeCarlos Leon-Teran – 3p, 2r – GraduatedBlake Raphael – 3p, 2r, 1a – Graduated – Playing...
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Apex Friendship 2023-24 Team Preview
By: Wake Hoops Apex Friendship 2023-24 Team Preview 2022-23: 12-13 (5-9), 6th in SWAC, Missed Playoffs Key Losses Moustapha Diop – Graduated – Playing at RandolphNoah Toster – Graduated – Playing Football at ChowanDrew Weschler – GraduatedTerry Hicks – Graduated – Playing Football at Hampden-Sydney Key Returners Jadon Green – So – SWAC...
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Wake Hoops: 2024 Rankings Explained Part 7 (1-5)
By: Wake Hoops As we wrap up the rankings release with our top five rising seniors, we get into a group of prospects that should be flirting with high-level scholarship programs throughout the region. The link to the full rankings can be found here. (1) 6’10” Wyatt DeGraaf (Cary Academy) DeGraaf is a long, active, and strong big man who knows how to produce within his role. He has improved his...
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Wake Hoops: 2024 Rankings Explained Part 6 (6-10)
By: Wake Hoops As we get into the top 10, we look at five perimeter players who have all been under-recruited to this point. It should be expected that these guys all receive serious bumps in recruitment in their senior seasons. You can see the updated rankings at the links below. Tier 3 (6-8)Tier 4 (9-12)Tier 5 (13-16)Tier 6 (17-22)Tier 7 (23-28)Tier 8 (29-34)Tier 9 (35-39)Tier 10 (40-44)Tier...
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Wake Hoops: 2024 Rankings Explained Part 5 (11-15)
By: Wake Hoops As we move into the top 15, we look at five guys who each impact winning in major ways. You can see the updated rankings at the links below. Tier 4 (9-12)Tier 5 (13-16)Tier 6 (17-22)Tier 7 (23-28)Tier 8 (29-34)Tier 9 (35-39)Tier 10 (40-44)Tier 11 (45-50)HM Part 1HM Part 2 (11) 5’9” Tye Cain (Green Level) Cain is a dynamic point guard with a strong and physical frame and the...
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Wake Hoops: 2024 Rankings Explained Part 4 (16-20)
By: Wake Hoops As we move into the top 20, we look at five players who have each improved their stock recruiting-wise significantly over the past six months. You can see the updated rankings at the links below. Tier 5 (13-16)Tier 6 (17-22)Tier 7 (23-28)Tier 8 (29-34)Tier 9 (35-39)Tier 10 (40-44)Tier 11 (45-50)HM Part 1HM Part 2 (16) 6’4” Brandon Ihle (Middle Creek) Ihle has been one of the most...
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2024 Rankings Explained Part 2 (5 Names in the Back Half)
By: Wake Hoops The 2024 class is filled with a variety of prospects that range in levels, production, and potential. In this article, we look at five players ranked between 26-50 that epitomize that range in production and potential, with each player having a different path and trajectory. You can view the rankings up to this point at the links below. Tier 7 (23-28)Tier 8 (29-34)Tier 9...
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Wake Hoops: 2024 Rankings Explained Part 1 (5 Honorable Mentions)
By: Wake Hoops With the 2025 class wrapping up, we turn to a 2024 class that has a ton of talent for all levels of college basketball. In this article, we breakdown the players that are just outside looking in and have all the tools to move up in our rankings. You can find the full list of honorable mentions here (part 1) and here (part 2). 5’11” Caleb Hardy (Wakefield) Hardy is a guard with a...
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Wake Hoops: 2025 Rankings Explained Part 6 (1-5)
By: Wake Hoops As we finally reach the top five for the 2025 class, we find ourselves with five guys who should leave their marks on the national scene when it’s all said and done. Some of them have already begun doing that while others are due for a breakthrough any week now. The complete rankings can be found here. (1) 6’6” Jackson Keith (Southern) Keith has won District 6 POY in back-to-back...
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Wake Hoops: 2025 Rankings Explained Part 5 (6-10)
As we get into the top 10, we arrive at prospects that have begun making waves throughout the state and should only further solidify their placement over the next two years. The current rankings can be found at the links below. Tier 3 (4-7)Tier 4 (8-13)Tier 5 (14-18)Tier 6 (19-21)Tier 7 (22-25)Tier 8 (26-31)Tier 9 (32-36)Tier 10 (37-40)HM (part 1)HM (part 2) (6) 6’3” Will James Jr. (Holly...
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2025 Rankings Explained Part 4 (11-15)
In Part 4, we look at five players who are all very close to making real noise on the statewide scene. The current rankings can be found at the links below. Tier 4 (8-13)Tier 5 (14-18)Tier 6 (19-21)Tier 7 (22-25)Tier 8 (26-31)Tier 9 (32-36)Tier 10 (37-40)HM (part 1)HM (part 2) (11) 6’7” Jake Cackovic (Holly Springs) Cackovic is a big, strong, and mobile forward that shoots it as well as most...
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2025 Rankings Explained Part 3 (16-20)
By: Wake Hoops In Part 3, we make our way into the top 20 and look at five prospects who should all have a wide variety of college options come graduation. You can view the 2025 rankings up to this point below (link tier 5). Tier 5 (14-18)Tier 6 (19-21)Tier 7 (22-25)Tier 8 (26-31)Tier 9 (32-36)Tier 10 (37-40)HM (part 1)HM (part 2) (16) 6’6” Levi Beckwith (Heritage) Beckwith is a smart, physical...
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2025 Rankings Explained Part 2 (5 Names in the Back Half)
By: Wake Hoops In Part 2, we look at five of the more intriguing prospects that fall between 21 and 40 in our rankings. These guys are all legitimate college prospects and have real potential to climb our rankings as time goes on. As always, you can see the 2025 rankings up to this point below. Tier 6 (19-21)Tier 7 (22-25)Tier 8 (26-31)Tier 9 (32-36)Tier 10 (37-40)HM (part 1)HM (part 2) (23)...
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2025 Rankings Explained Part 1 (5 Honorable Mentions)
With the 2026 class rankings wrapped up, we move on to the deepest class in the triangle from top to bottom. Elite top-end talent and college-level players littered up and down the rankings. There’s legit talent well outside the 40 that we’ve ranked, and the 10 honorable mentions are a testament to that. You can view the full list of honorable mentions here (part 1) and here (part 2). 5’9”...
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Wake Hoops: 2026 Rankings Explained Part 4 (1-5)
Before looking at our youngest class and their top 5, it’s worth looking back on the top 5 from our 2023 class and seeing how their freshman seasons played out. Collin Kuhl of Holly Springs was (semi-notoriously) a reserve player on the Hawks JV team as a freshman. Sam Martin of Apex averaged 4p, 4r, & 1b for a 3-win Cougars team. Micah Jones of Holly Springs was the starting PG for Cardinal...
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2026 Rankings Explained Part 3 (6-10)
Breaking into the top half of the rankings for the 2026 class, here are the players ranked 6-10. You can find the complete rankings up to this point below. 6-1011-1516-20HM part 1HM part 2 (6) 6’1” Marcus Green (Athens Drive) Green is in the conversation for the highest feel in the triangle, regardless of class. He’s a long, athletic, and physical guard/wing that can play the 1-4 on either side...
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2026 Rankings Explained Part 1 (5 Honorable Mentions)
By: Wake Hoops There were over 20 players considered for an honorable mention spot, speaking to the simply incredible depth of the class. We cut that 20+ player list down to 12 honorable mentions, five of which are featured in this article. You can find the complete list of honorable mentions here (part 1) and here (part 2). 6’ Abdou Diop (Fuquay-Varina) Diop is one of the more exciting crosses...
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Way-Too-Early Look At 2023-24 (Part 2)
After two months of watching travel ball and tracking Wake County players through their offseason recruitment and development, we thought it would be a good time to look ahead about six months and give our first insight into the 2023-24 high school season. Obviously, a lot can change from spring workouts to the first official practice. Injuries, transfers (in and out), and coaching changes are...
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