Here are the power rankings for WNC high school girls basketball entering 2024
The Western North Carolina basketball season is wrapping up in 2023. The girls basketball slate will soon be heading into conference play.
The best WNC teams have begun to separate themselves from the field, especially as holiday tournament play is in swing.
Here are the WNC girls basketball power rankings entering 2024.
1. Reynolds (7-1)
The Rockets entered the season with hopes of battling for a state championship. With its only loss coming against Lake Norman, HighSchoolOT's No. 2 team in the state, Reynolds is building toward its goal. Junior Peyton Harvey and senior Julie Janus are averaging 13.1 and 10.6 points per game, respectively, to lead the team's charge.
2. Mountain Heritage (6-2)
Mountain Heritage has lost only to Watauga, falling at home and losing on the road in overtime. After losing in the second round of last season's 1A playoffs as the No. 1 seed, the Cougars are sitting in the same spot they were a year ago. With the same roster intact, Mountain Heritage hopes to advance much further this season.
3. Cherokee (7-1)
Cherokee has been dominating competition, outscoring opponents by 40 points per game, including a 93-5 win over Blue Ridge Early College and a 79-9 win over Andrews. The Braves are the early favorite to repeat in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
4. North Buncombe (8-1)
The Black Hawks picked up their biggest win of the season just before Christmas, taking down No. 7 West Henderson, 42-40, at the Catamount Clash of the Conferences. They've also avenged their only loss, a road defeat at the hands of Smoky Mountain.
5. McDowell (7-1)
The Titans earned six straight victories after a road loss to Hibriten, including a big 61-28 win over Pisgah. Seven players are averaging at least five points per game, including leading scorer Kensly Stewart, who averages 11.9 points.
6. Rosman (8-2)
Rosman has won comfortably in its eight victories throughout the season but struggled in its most recent conference game against No. 2 Mountain Heritage. The Tigers are led by guards Alissa Cheek and Lexi Powell, who average 18.3 and 17.4 points per game, respectively.
7. West Henderson (7-2)
After a 7-0 start, the Falcons fell to No. 2 Mountain Heritage and No. 4 North Buncombe in back-to-back games. Led by juniors Jaza and Jania Wilson, West Henderson will have a chance to make a statement in the new year with games against Pisgah and Reynolds.
8. Asheville School (8-1)
With Roberson transfer and junior guard Ryann Hernandez at the forefront, the Blues have been handling competition, winning five games by 20 or more points. Hernandez is providing 27.4 points and eight rebounds per game, with teammate Alisha Watkins scoring 13.6 points per game.
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9. Hiwassee Dam (7-1)
Already 4-0 in Smoky Mountain Conference play, Hiwassee Dam is the biggest threat to Cherokee's hopes of repeating as conference champs. Its only loss came in its season opener against Polk County (Tennessee).
10. Pisgah (5-4)
Pisgah's record is due to its tough schedule — two losses against No. 2 Mountain Heritage, a loss to No. 5 McDowell and a tournament loss to Mount Tabor. The Black Bears have also beat Erwin, Enka, Polk County and Smoky Mountain handedly.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC high school girls basketball power rankings entering 2024
