Boys basketball watch list: 150 names, 25 from each of the state's six area codes

Boys basketball watch list: 150 names, 25 from each of the state’s six area codes

Kobe Edwards of Greenfield. Greenfield School defeated Jordan in an early season showcase game at Fayetteville State University on November 25, 2023.

The boys basketball season is underway, and now it’s time to release the annual HighSchoolOT watch list.

This year’s watch list features 25 names from each of North Carolina’s six area codes.

The players are listed by their team’s alphabetical order.


Chaise Smith of Washington High School (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)
Chaise Smith of Washington High School (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)

252 Watch List

  • Zymiere Dempsey, Bertie
  • Jayden Sawyer, Columbia
  • Kannon McBride, Croatan
  • Trey Jones, Croatan
  • Kobe Edgerton, Crossroads Christian
  • M.J. Williams, Farmville Central
  • Josiha Crandell, Farmville Central
  • Cameron Honey, Farmville Central
  • William Monk, Fike
  • Mason Dobie, First Flight
  • Kobe Edwards, Greenfield School
  • Rimiez Williams, Hertford County
  • Justin Grimes, J.H. Rose
  • Tyreek Copper, Kinston
  • Jordan Matthewson, Martin County
  • Kwhali Basnight, Martin County
  • Tyell Saunders, Northeastern
  • C.J. Rosser, Northern Nash
  • Anthony Jones, Rocky Mount
  • Isaiah Godley, South Central
  • Ji’Youn Williams, Washington
  • Javon Williams, Washington
  • Chaise Smith, Washington
  • Brandon Carter Jr., Washington County
  • Keontae Barron, Wilson Prep

Nathan Fife (5) of Sanderson. White Oak played Sanderson in the inaugural Chomp City Classic on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo By: Nick Stevens/HighSchoolOT)
Nathan Fife (5) of Sanderson. White Oak played Sanderson in the inaugural Chomp City Classic on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo By: Nick Stevens/HighSchoolOT)

919 Watch List

  • Jordan Page, Broughton
  • Cash McSweeney, Cardinal Gibbons
  • Reid Albright, Chatham Central
  • Brennen Oldham, Chatham Central
  • Aiden Smalls, Clayton
  • Andrew Grimes, Clayton
  • Preston Copeland, Clayton
  • Justice Mitchell, Clayton
  • Cam’ren Reyes, Garner
  • Michael Phillips II, GRACE Christian of Raleigh
  • Kody Frey, Green Hope
  • Isaac Ericksen, Green Level
  • Israel Eatman, Green Level
  • Will James Jr., Holly Springs
  • Rivers Knight, Jordan
  • Hayes Oxendine, Leesville Road
  • Ashton King, Millbrook
  • Cam Fowler, Northwood
  • Chance Gladden, Ravenscroft
  • Nathan Fife, Sanderson
  • Nate Emerson, Seaforth
  • Christian Ananaba, Southeast Raleigh
  • Jackson Keith, Southern Durham
  • Seung Surmons, Southern Wake
  • Marcel Freeman, Wayne Country Day

Zeus Batts (2) of New Hanover. New Hanover defeated Richmond in the 4A eastern regional final in Winston-Salem on March 14, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)
Zeus Batts (2) of New Hanover. New Hanover defeated Richmond in the 4A eastern regional final in Winston-Salem on March 14, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)

910 Watch List

  • Josiah Sanders, Berean Baptist
  • Justin Caldwell, Berean Baptist
  • Jossiah Johnson, Berean Baptist
  • Karsten Swinney, Freedom Christian
  • Antonio McKoy, Harrells Christian
  • Gups Clucas, Hoggard
  • Jaiden Shepard, Lumberton
  • Rodmik Allen, New Hanover
  • Noah Billings, New Hanover
  • Zeus Batts, New Hanover
  • Kenny Vera, Northwood Temple
  • Derek Green, Pine Forest
  • Elijah Melton, Pinecrest
  • Jayden Hamilton, Richmond
  • DeAndre Nance, Seventy-First
  • Jacquez Foster, Seventy-First
  • Jermaine Cunningham, Swansboro
  • Jonah Holt, Swansboro
  • Tayvion Tangiora, Swansboro
  • Xayden Watson, Trinity Christian
  • Ro’mello Pegues, Triton
  • Jaylen Kyle, Union Pines
  • Chase Williams, West Bladen
  • C.J. Jackson, White Oak
  • Zarion Hobbs, White Oak

Zacch Wiggins of Wesleyan Christian. Wesleyan Christian Academy earned a road non-conference win at Ravenscroft on January 8, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)
Zacch Wiggins of Wesleyan Christian. Wesleyan Christian Academy earned a road non-conference win at Ravenscroft on January 8, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)

336 Watch List

  • Tysere Payne, Ben L. Smith
  • Jyi Dawkins, Ben L. Smith
  • Kenny Miller, Ben L. Smith
  • Jaylen Cross, Caldwell Academy
  • Coleman Cloer, Caldwell Academy
  • Dane Cassada, Calvary Day
  • Owen Calvert, Calvary Day
  • Timothy Brower, Eastern Randolph
  • Nathaniel “Q” Williams, Forsyth Country Day
  • Ace Flagg, Greensboro Day
  • Shamarius Peterkin, Mount Tabor
  • Kam McKnight, North Surry
  • Tyren Martin, Page
  • Tyshaun Goldston, Randleman
  • K.J. Ford, Reagan
  • Johnniyus Sharpe, Reidsville
  • Kendre Harrison, Reidsville
  • Dionte Neal, Reidsville
  • Dalton Johnson, Rockingham County
  • Bubba Sims, Southeast Alamance
  • King Gibson, The Burlington School
  • Zacch Wiggins, Wesleyan Christian
  • Kamauri Manuel, West Forsyth
  • Jacari Brim, West Forsyth
  • Derek Studer, West Stokes

Ashton Pierce (4) of North Mecklenburg. North Mecklenburg defeated Lake Norman in the 4A western regional final in Winston-Salem on March 14, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)
Ashton Pierce (4) of North Mecklenburg. North Mecklenburg defeated Lake Norman in the 4A western regional final in Winston-Salem on March 14, 2024. (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT.com)

704 Watch List

  • Jayden Little, Anson County
  • Isaac Byers, Ashbrook
  • Bryce Slay, Carmel Christian
  • Miles Leaks, Carmel Christian
  • Tarris Bouie, Chambers
  • Markus Kerr, Chambers
  • Jake Benham, Concord Academy
  • R.J. Moore, Corvian Community
  • Isaiah Denis, Davidson Day
  • Will Stevens, Davidson Day
  • Jackson Fannon, East Lincoln
  • Cameron Newman, Gaston Christian
  • C.P. Perry, Jesse Carson
  • Trent Steinour, Lake Norman
  • Tre McKinnon, Lake Norman
  • L.J. Smith, Lincolnton
  • Kellen Karr, North Lincoln
  • Ashton Pierce, North Mecklenburg
  • Chadlyn Traylor, North Mecklenburg
  • Jonah Lawrence, Providence Day
  • Trajan Thompson, Providence Day
  • Myles Smith, Salisbury
  • Justyn Whitfield, Victory Christian Center
  • K.J. Younger, Weddington
  • Jordan Patterson, West Iredell

Rylan Parkins scored 33 to help advance the Titans past Asheville and to Friday's championship where they will face A.C. Reynolds.

The victory also secured the team the top seed out of the conference in next week's state playoffs.
Rylan Parkins scored 33 to help advance the Titans past Asheville and to Friday’s championship where they will face A.C. Reynolds. The victory also secured the team the top seed out of the conference in next week’s state playoffs.

828 Watch List

  • Declan Brown, A.C. Reynolds
  • Miki Gacic, Asheville School
  • Landon Vaughan, Bandys
  • Noah Pierce, Carolina Day
  • Zymicah Wilkins, Christ School
  • Dacen Petty, Christ School
  • Madden Collins, Christ School
  • Caiden Brewer, East Henderson
  • Logan Trantham, Enka
  • Carson Wallace, Erwin
  • Jack-Jack Teesateskie, Franklin
  • Max McClure, Franklin
  • Amore Connelly, Freedom
  • Malachi Simpson, Hendersonville
  • Jamien Little, Hickory
  • Hayden Hillman, Hickory
  • Rylan Parkins, McDowell
  • Jace Loven, Mountain Heritage
  • Owen Cannon, Newton-Conover
  • Trent Clark, North Buncombe
  • Cole Edmonds, North Buncombe
  • Asante Martin, Owen
  • Sawyer Belue, Pisgah
  • Gunnar Alm, Polk County
  • Zion Thomas, West Caldwell

Source: highschoolot.com