Preliminary boys basketball brackets released; Aycock, GHS, EWHS and Rosewood are in

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released preliminary brackets for the boy’s state basketball playoffs Saturday afternoon and three Wayne County teams made the cut.

Charles B. Aycock, Goldsboro High School and Eastern Wayne will all begin their respective championship runs Tuesday. For the complete bracket, click here, and for game times as they are released, follow the New Old North here and on our Instagram and Facebook pages @newoldnorth

Here’s what we know:

Charles B. Aycock (3A) earned a 12-seed and will play Cape Fear in Pikeville in Round 1.

What we’ve witnessed:

The Golden Falcons are a complete team with real depth and first-year head coach A.J. Mundle is our pick for Wayne County Coach of the Year. The team’s two victories over Goldsboro High School were among their most impressive efforts of the season and despite two losses to conference foe Hunt, these young men have proven they can run with anyone. Let’s break down the roster:

Kris Reid: This senior guard has been one of the physically strongest players in the county at his position all season. His fearlessness and willingness to put his head down and take any opponent to the basket will create headaches for any team the Golden Falcons play.

Kamran Prince: If there was an All-County Team (we will get to that at some point) this young man is on it. The sophomore’s shooting ability from any spot on the floor makes defenses reluctant to give him space and uses that against them — leading to highlight reel dunks and unselfish lasers to his teammates for easy baskets. It won’t be long before a lucky Division I program lands one of the most exciting prospects to play on Wayne County hardwoods in recent memory.

Jaidyne “J.D.” Dunn: A complete guard — physical, smart, poised, efficient — is what transforms decent teams into contenders. Dunn checks all those boxes and has been a stud for the Golden Falcons the entire season. If he’s in rhythm, he’ll be a matchup nightmare because he is another young man who can go off for 20-plus points on any given night.

D.J. Prince: This young man might just be the most important player on Aycock’s roster. Sure, he can score the ball — particularly well from behind the 3-point line — but he doesn’t seem to mind deferring to his teammates. He is unselfish and has a basketball IQ many high school juniors just don’t have. But what makes CBA’s “other Prince” irreplaceable is his mentality. This young man is a defensive dog — harassing the opponent with relentless pursuit of the basketball. He is willing to sacrifice his body for his team and has a swagger that has gotten into more than a few opponents’ heads this season. The Golden Falcons would be a good team without D.J. Prince. But from what we’ve witnessed, he makes them great.

Gamere Culver: Need a 3-pointer to get your offense going? Maybe a block to electrify the crowd? Find this young man. He’s long, plays solid defense and can knock down shots. One of Aycock’s most important pieces, Culver is the bench player every coach in Wayne County wishes he had.

Javiaer Johnson: A playmaker with touch and an attack-the-basket mentality, this senior guard knows his role and has emerged as an important piece of the Golden Falcons’ success as of late.

Dre Davis: A bruising big man who absorbs contact and plays physical on the interior, this junior’s numbers don’t reflect what he is capable of and against opponents with serious big men, he will be called on to deliver.

Ethan Brock: Don’t sleep on this young man. He’s physical, can rebound the ball and has a smooth stroke from beyond the 3-point line. He would see significant minutes for many other teams in Wayne County, but on a stacked CBA roster, his court time is limited. His importance to the team lies in what he does with those minutes — giving 100 percent and making the right plays when he’s called on.

Goldsboro High School (2A) earned a 6-seed and will host Seaforth in Round 1.

What we’ve witnessed:

The Cougars are on a tear as of late, winning 13 straight — most of those wins in blowout fashion — to finish conference play undefeated. Two losses to Charles B. Aycock probably hurt their playoff ranking, although anyone who was in the building for the second matchup would tell you the suspect ejection of GHS star Takorrie Faison in the first half swung the game in the Golden Falcons’ favor. Either way, the Cougars are dangerous and while there are some daunting potential matchups out there — like Farmville and Kinston — this team has a legitimate shot at a state title. Let’s break down the roster:

Deontay Hooker: A defensive dog who fears no one, Hooker’s value, as of late, has been his offensive production. His 3-point shooting is peaking at the right time and he has been ahead of the pack on several fast-breaks over the last few games. Oh, and before opponents challenge him, they might want to watch some film. This young man has no problem swatting your shot into the bleachers.

Taj Joyner: Over the last two weeks, Joyner has firmly established himself as one of the best basketball players in Wayne County. His constant slashing to the basket is even more impressive when you consider how often he takes contact and converts and-ones. The junior guard’s ability to draw double-teams in the paint creates open shots for his teammates and he delivers the ball to them time and time again. He is a sharpshooter from the perimeter. His defense is relentless, and his swagger is contagious. His teammate might be the best player in Wayne, but this young man is making a name for himself, too, and will absolutely be a Division I player if college coaches know what’s good for them.

Takorrie Faison: There can only be one best player in Wayne County and there is no question that Faison is that guy. Most nights, he looks like a man among boys and this young man is the complete package. His 3-point shooting percentage is among the best in the state. His dunking ability is unmatched for miles. He blocks several shots per game. Oh, and he’s 6 feet 7 inches tall. Coaches, scouts, bloggers, etc. across the region agree that Faison is a generational talent who will be playing at a big-time college program in the very near future. If you love basketball and haven’t seen this young man play, run to GHS Tuesday night.

Justice Wooten: An all-defensive team-type talent, this senior is without question the most improved player in Wayne. He blocks shots, knocks down 3s and, yes, even treated his home crowd to a one-handed slam that created bedlam among the Cougar faithful. He can go for 20-plus points on any given night, but his value lies in his defensive intensity and his fierce commitment to his teammates. This young man has team captain written all over him and plays the game the right way — and worked his tail off to emerge as a key piece of this conference championship team.

Andre Williams: A solid guard who can knock down shots from behind the arc and create opportunities for himself — and his teammates — with sneaky slashes to the basket. He might be the youngest starter on this Cougar squad, but he is playing like a veteran as of late and will be a critical piece of the puzzle as GHS makes its playoff run.

Justin Taylor: Every championship team needs an athlete like Justin Taylor. This young man will make his money playing football, but his basketball IQ and his nose for the ball makes a difference every time he is on the floor. A great defensive talent who can pull down rebounds and chase down loose balls, Taylor gives you all those things you won’t find on the stat sheet. And assuming he returns from an injury that has sidelined him for the last several games, he will surely have a significant role for that reason.

Myron Miller: This junior guard has one of the best handles in Wayne County and dazzles crowds with highlight reel crossovers and no-look passes. He is usually the smallest player on the floor, but don’t let that fool you. Miller is the real deal and isn’t afraid of any opponent.

Zion Dickens and Kenyel Anderson: If the Cougars are going to win a state championship, these two forwards are going to have to give them solid minutes off the bench. Both are capable of banging down low with opponents and Dickens is a 3-point specialist. Both have given head coach Jamal Croom important minutes while Taylor has been injured. It will be interesting to see what their roles will be in the playoffs, but they have come up big for GHS over the last few weeks.

Eastern Wayne High School (2A) earned a 25-seed and will travel to Research Triangle in Round 1.

What we’ve witnessed:

The Warriors have been an enigma all season. They finished under .500 and lost some head-scratchers, but have shown moments of brilliance. They beat Kinston — yes, Kinston — and then lost their next game to Spring Creek. They got blown out twice by rival Goldsboro, but then won the first three quarters of their final matchup — Friday’s conference tournament final — before the Cougars pulled away. In other words, the Warriors have some incredible talent and could shock some heavy-hitters in the playoffs. But consistency will be the key. Let’s break down the roster:

Albert Brown: One of the best players in Wayne County, this senior is the key to any success the Warriors will have in the playoffs. His length creates problems for opposing offenses and his 3-point shooting and ability to rock the rim can change games on a dime. Brown let’s his play do the talking, and it speaks loudly, and his leadership on the court doesn’t go unnoticed. This is his team and the noise the Warriors make or doesn’t make in the first round against a tough opponent will start and stop with him.

Julien Silvestri: Another senior, this young man is a ballplayer. He is relentless on defense and caused headaches for Goldsboro star Takorrie Faison in each of the rivals’ three matchups this season. He can guard anyone and his shot-blocking will be a key part of any success the Warriors will have in the postseason. He has an offensive game, too, and if he’s confident, he can put up big numbers in a hurry.

Zavion Oates: A point guard with a motor and solid handle, this junior has gotten better with every game the Warriors have played this season. He has great vision and plays tough defense — a combination that creates opportunities for Brown and Silvestri on the break.

Alijah Brown: A talented all-around player who contributes with scoring, shot-blocking and rebounding, this junior guard has been a solid player for the Warriors this season. His game is quiet compared to some of his teammates, but his opponents know not to sleep on his defensive ability and he can go for double-digits on any given night.

Update: The final brackets released by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association also included Rosewood High School. The Eagles, a team known for its tough defense and nearly upsetting Charles B. Aycock, earned a 26-seed in the 1A playoffs and will travel to Pender in Round 1.