Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the state playoff-ing Piedmont! The Sadster is here to recap the 1st round and give The Ol’ Cubic Zirconia Ball’s (can’t afford crystal) choices for who will move on to the Sectional Finals and who will be collecting uniforms. The Great One posted a record of 106-22, which is 83%, but he is intent on improving that high number in the 2nd frame. His best class was the 1A as he went 30-2, 16-0 in the East, and his lowest class was the wide open 3A, posting a 23-9 mark. His upset picks went 5-3, losing one in Kings Mountain’s 91-84 double OT loss at Oak Grove. He also had picked E. Wilkes in his 1A brackets but actually typed Hiwassee in the article, but he is eating that mistake in the record. But be that as it may, the 1st round brought some surprises, especially in the wild and wooly 3A. There are quite a few Cinderella wannabees, but after this round we can officially give out that label. We also had a 31 seed take out a 2 seed in Forest Hills’ upset at Randleman. The Sad One isn’t 100% sure but that may have been the first time that occurred. In the 4A, 26 Apex FS, 25 Reagan and 21 Leesville Rd. stunned their higher seeded opponents and vaulted themselves into the Cinderella mix. #9 Overhills avoided being an upset victim with a tap-in dunk with 6 seconds left preserving a 44-42 escape over 24 Cleveland. The 3A featured 25 Concord, 24 Central Davidson and 26 NW Cabarrus posting shockers and laying claim to being “slipper teams”. The 2A was a bit more civil but 20 Greene Central, 24 Seaforth and previously mentioned 31 Forest Hills truly caused bracket ripples. The 1A was the most docile, but 27 Bradford Prep did raise an eyebrow or two, taking outthe 6th seed Robbinsville. The 2nd round will definitely have a surprise or two in store for us and there’s even an infamous KOD (Kiss of Death) pick as The Great One senses an upset but is rolling with the higher seed. Without further ado, let’s get…..TO THE PICKS!!!!
4A WEST: LAKE NORMAN, MYERS PARK, INDEPENDENCE, NORTH MECK, K.O.D pick WEDDINGTON, W. FORSYTH and Upset Specials CHAMBERS and TABOR
4A EAST: NEW HANOVER, RICH-WHAT? RICHMOND, GREEN LEVEL, SANDERSON, LUMBERTON, PANTHER CREEK, GARNER and Upset Special CLAYTON
3A WEST: ASHBROOK, N. LINCOLN, ROBINSON, DUDLEY, CREST, E. HENDERSON and Upset Specials CONCORD and BEN SMITH
3A EAST: SWANSBORO, S. LEE, N. NASH, PERSON, ROSE, 71ST, FIRST FLIGHT, S. DURHAM
2A WEST: REIDSVILLE, MONROE, MAIDEN, SALISBURY, N. SURRY, LINCOLN CHARTER, SHELBY, BANDYS
2A EAST: FARMVILLE, E. WAYNE, NORTHEASTERN, W. BLADEN, NORTHWOOD, S. GRANVILLE, MARTIN, SW ONSLOW
1A WEST: BISHOP MCGUINESS, CORVIAN, MTN HERITAGE, QUEENS GRANT, E. RANDOLPH, S. STOKES and Upset Specials N. ROWAN and BRADFORD PREP
1A EAST: WASHINGTON CO., LEJEUNE, WAKE PREP, VOYAGER, LAKEWOOD, NORTHAMPTON, S. WAKE and Upset Special WILSON PREP
There you have it folks! The only thing left is going to support these young athletes and watching the picks take shape with your own eyes. We will return next week to recap the 2nd round, reveal who will still be dancing in the regionals and who has earned the “Cinderella” label. Stay tuned!!!!
SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS