51 Wilmington-area high school boys basketball players to watch in 2023-24 season
The 2023 NCHSAA high school basketball season tips off on Nov. 17, and there's plenty to be excited for in the Wilmington area.
After a second straight conference sweep from New Hanover last year, the Wildcats looked prime for another dominant year.
Hoggard and Laney are looking to build off solid 2022-23 seasons' while North Brunswick is looking to pull off some upsets this winter.
With multiple transfers around the Wilmington area, here are 51 Wilmington-area high school boys basketball players to watch this winter.
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Rodmik Allen, Jr., New Hanover
Spearheading the area's most prolific basketball program, Allen will help New Hanover soar this winter. Averaging 13.6 points per game last season, Allen's ability to weave his way to the basket makes up for his small size.
Fellow junior standout Zues Batts is back for the Wildcats after averaging 11.3 ppg last season.
Perhaps one of the area's most substantial transfers this winter, junior CJ Kornegay will start for New Hanover after averaging 8.6 ppg for Hoggard last season. Senior Parker Crittenden also makes the transfer to New Hanover after averaging 8.4 ppg for the Vikings a season ago.
Forward Nolan Billings will add even more depth to an already stacked Wildcats team after scoring 9.2 points per game during the 2022-23 season.
Reid Lisk, Sr., Hoggard
After finishing second in the Mideastern Conference last winter, Hoggard will have some new faces take on a more significant role in 2023. Lisk, who played in 13 games and averaged 3.2 ppg last season, should become one of the Viking's more prominent players.
Senior Malakahi West returns at center for the Vikings after averaging 3.7 ppg last season. Transferring is from Laney, senior guard Jaylen Herring will add a boost after averaging 4.1 points per game a season ago.
Junior Jayzion Davis and senior Josiah Gillespie round out a Vikings squad that, although young, should be a formidable force this winter.
Josh Helms, Sr., Laney
Helms returns to a Laney team that defeated Hoggard and nearly overcame New Hanover last winter. Averaging 12.2 ppg, the senior guard should lead the Buccaneers in points this season.
After playing in all 28 games last season, junior JaQuan Bowen is primed for a strong season. Scoring 3.9 ppg as a freshman last year, forward Quinn'sier Waddell should see more production this winter.
Malakhi Daniels, Sr., North Brunswick
After a fifth-place finish in the MEC last winter, North Brunswick has put together a strong team ready to compete with the likes of Hoggard and Laney.
Daniels returns as the conference's leading scorer (18 ppg) from a season ago, and he should excel with more surrounding talent this season.
Transferring from South Brunswick, senior guard Caleb Bernard will play a substantial role in the Scropions success this year after scoring the fourth-most points in the MEC last winter.
Senior Eric Mosley returns to the court this season after averaging 8.7 ppg in just 14 games during the 2022-23 season. He's joined by a host of returning senior talent that includes Terry Hood, Ronnie Ballard and Gavin Lindbert.
Coen Locklear, Sr., Ashley
The Screaming Eagles will return their top scorer in Locklear after finishing fourth in the Mideastern Conference last season. The senior guard scored 11.7 points per game last winter.
Junior Quinn Bentley is also back as one of the MEC's best 3-point shooters, making 44% of his shots from behind the arc last season.
Junior Nate Jarrell should become a more significant part of the offense this season after scoring 3.8 points per game last winter.
Angelo Vega, Sr., Cape Fear Academy
Vega returns as one of Cape Fear Academy's most experienced and talented players this winter. After a conference change, the Hurricanes will rely on senior forward Thomas Watkins to hold off tougher competition this winter.
Juniors Isaiah Gibson and Sam Stricklan add depth and experience to a team that scored over 1,400 points last winter.
Freshman transfers Alex Wolf (Topsail) and Kareem Anderson (Fayetteville Academy) round off a Hurricanes roster that includes a healthy amount of experience and youth.
Myron McKoy, Sr., Trask
McKoy returns as the Titan's most experienced player this winter. Averaging 18.3 ppg last season, the senior point guard will serve as the team's top scorer.
Big man Sherrod Henderson is back at center after scoring 9.8 ppg last year. He's joined by seniors Martez Davis (5.7 ppg) and Omar Hill as the Titans defend the Waccamaw Conference title this season.
Aiden Davies, Sr., Coastal Christian
The Centurians join Cape Fear Academy in the Coastal Plain Independent Conference after going 11-19 last season. Davies returns as Coastal Christian's top scorer after averaging 20.2 ppg a season ago.
Joined by fellow seniors Holden Martin and George Robertson, Coastal is looking for a fast start in its new conference this season.
Max Clark, Jr., Wilmington Christian
Clark joins the Patriots after appearing in just five games for Topsail last season. With talent like Clark, Wilmington Christian is looking to improve on last season's 7-16 record.
Senior Calloway Upchurch and junior Jake Errett will add experience to a team that graduated six seniors this offseason.
Josiah Johnson, Sr., West Brunswick
After graduating 10 seniors, Johnson is one of the Trojan's most experienced players this season. He's joined by fellow senior Tristen Roberts, who will also play a more prominent role in West Brunswick's squad this year.
Jaelon Johnson, Sr., South Brunswick
After finishing seventh in the MEC last winter, the Cougars lost their best player in Caleb Bernard to rival North Brunswick this offseason.
South Brunswick will rely on senior Jaelon Johnson, who is back after missing all last season, and Tony Cox this season. Juniors Jonathan Braxton and Chase Robinson also return and should give the team a more experienced look.
Cyrus Page, Sr., Pender
Page is back for a Pender team that struggled last season, finishing the year 5-19. The senior contributed 7.6 ppg and should become the team's leading scorer this winter.
Fellow senior Reinaldo Walker returns to the court after averaging 7.4 ppg last season.
Rhett Britt, Soph., Topsail
The Pirates finished dead last in the MEC last winter, going a measly 3-21.
One bright spot for Topsail was freshman guard Rhett Britt, who averaged 9.9 ppg. Junior Caden Wilson is back this season after averaging 8.6 ppg a season ago.
Other Players to Watch: Jordan McCall, West Brunswick; Hez Driver, Laney; K'veon Griffen, West Brunswick; Giovanni Driggers, Trask.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 51 Wilmington-area boys basketball players to watch in 2023-24
