North Carolina High School Basketball: 2nd Annual Ed Price Classic Preview
North Carolina high school basketball doesn’t ease into the new year, it announces itself. On January 3rd, the hardwood at T.W. Andrews High School becomes the center of the state’s basketball universe as the 2nd Annual Ed Price Classic tips off a full-day showcase built for statement games, championship pedigree, and emerging stars. From 11:00 a.m. until the final buzzer echoes at night, fans will be treated to seven games that feel more like March than midseason.
The headliner writes itself: a state championship rematch between Southern and defending champ Ben L. Smith, two programs that know exactly what it takes to survive the biggest stage. But this event runs far deeper than one marquee matchup. The field includes FOUR reigning boys State Champions, two more teams that came one win short of a title, while six of the ten total teams are ranked inside North Carolina’s top 50. Add in two girls’ games packed with high-level talent, and the Ed Price Classic becomes a true celebration of the state’s depth across the game.
But the firepower doesn’t stop there. Undefeated West Forsyth (11-0, No. 8 in NC) storms in as one of the state’s hottest teams. Host T.W. Andrews (10-1, top 45 in NC) brings youthful energy and home-court swagger. Caldwell Academy (top 40 in NC) boasts nationally ranked junior King Kendrick, a matchup nightmare ready to dominate the paint.
And then there’s Greensboro Day, a top 25 nationally ranked powerhouse fresh off a statement victory over top 10 nationally rankd IMG Academy. Their loaded roster led by legendary coach Freddy Johnson features elite freshman Grant Duggins, standout sophomore Micah Gunter, and underrated unsigned senior Marty Giant. Just to show how much talent they have, I did not even mention talented sophomore Andrew Juergens or Harvard commit Julian Adigun.
Add in two girls’ games showcasing high-level talent, and you’ve got a full day of nonstop drama, dunks, and buzzer-beaters. From dawn-to-dusk battles to future Division I stars lighting up the gym, the Ed Price Classic is set to deliver the kind of electric atmosphere that reminds us why North Carolina high school basketball is second to none.
If you are unable to attend in person, HoopState has you covered with all coverage and live streams HERE for each game, along with game by game updates by me via Twitter/X
Matchup Previews
11:00 AM: Grimsley Whirlies (2-5) vs. Corvian Community Cardinals (1-8)
Grimsley enters this opener looking to snap a three-game losing streak and shake off the rust from a layoff since December 20th. Senior guard Henry Trent remains the steady leader, already surpassing his previous career high with a 29-point outburst against Western Guilford a few weeks ago. Emerging talents like freshman Noah Sturdivant and high-flying Trace Dukes add athleticism that could create mismatches for a Corvian team that lacks some athleticism on the wing.
Corvian Community, coming off last year’s state title, is in rebuild mode at 1-8 after losing their top nine players, including standout RJ Moore. Senior Guard Brycen Hinnant (12.7 PPG) and sophomore Braylon Gray (10.8 PPG, 4 APG) are the primary scorers carrying the load. The Cardinals play on January 2nd, making this a back-to-back that could help knock off rust, but their defense has allowed 70+ points in five games while struggling to reach 50 in four others. Something has got to give on both sides of the ball if they want to score a big out of conference win.
3:30 PM: Southern Wake Academy Lions (7-3) vs. Greensboro Day Bengals (20-2)
Southern Wake rides a four-game win streak into this matchup, led by three double-digit scorers headlined by 2027 standout guard Kobe Plata. However, a 41-point loss to Greenfield exposed vulnerabilities against size, and their small backcourt could be exploited. The Lions haven’t played since December 16th, which could cause them to be a little rusty early on and you do not want to start slow against a team like Greensboro Day.
Greensboro Day, a national powerhouse, brings momentum from a strong 2-1 showing at the John Wall Invitational, including a defensive masterclass holding IMG Academy to one of its lowest outputs this season. The Bengals face Asheville Christian on January 2nd, making this a back-to-back, but they’re 4-0 in such spots so that should not be an issue here. Interior dominance from freshman Grant Duggins and Harvard commit Julian Adigun should overwhelm Southern Wake along with Greensboro Day’s guards’ ability to pressure the ball and put pressure on their defenders.
Key matchup: Southern Wake’s guard play vs. Greensboro Day depth and size. Due to the size Greensboro Day has, Southern Wake needs to knock down a lot of threes and push the pace to prevent them from setting their defense. In a slowed down half-court game, I am not sure they have the personnel to deal with the sets that Freddy Johnson runs and the versatility he has from multiple lineups.
5:00 PM: T.W. Andrews Red Raiders (10-1) vs. Caldwell Academy Eagles (11-5)
T.W. Andrews boasts its best start in years at 10-1 but are stepping up in competition in this matchup. Young talent shines with three double-figure scorers: 2028 Greg Zigbuo (13.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG), 2029 Bryson Faulk Warner (13.3 PPG), and 6’7” sophomore Zion Johnson (9 RPG). They’ve proven to be versatile in high- and low-scoring wins, but guard play will be tested with how well the Caldwell guards are able to play on both sides of the ball. Being at home should help, but this is a championship team with veteran guards that can dictate a game in a plethora of ways.
Caldwell Academy, fresh off a state title, sits at 11-5 despite losing top scorers Cole Cloer and Jaylen Cross to N.C. State and Wake Forest. They are battle-tested against elite competition (including state champs and top 15 NC teams). The Eagles have won four straight behind the trio of King Kendrick, Ayden Johnson, and Neal Swindell. Their high-octane offense has hit 75+ in 13 games and 80+ in nine. The team goes as their trio goes and they have the advantage when it comes to experience and continuity. They will not be spooked by a hostile environment, especially with King and Ayden controlling the game.
Key matchup: Can the young trio of T.W.A handle the trio of Caldwell Academy? The easy way to find out who wins is to check the box score at the end and see which trio was more impactful but this will be a hostile environment and although Caldwell has played in plenty of those this year, it will be a prove it type of game for T.W.A. Whoever can dictate the pace is also in line for a victory, especially with the scoring explosion that Caldwell possess.
6:30 PM: West Forsyth Titans (11-0) vs. Dudley Panthers (5-3)
Undefeated West Forsyth (11-0) has been dominant, fresh off capturing the Frank Spencer Classic. Balanced scoring from Jordan Tate ‘26 (17 PPG), Kamauri Manuel ‘27 (14.3 PPG, 8 RPG, 6 APG), and Anthony Gray ‘29 (13 PPG) fuels an offense that thrives in transition and off live ball turnovers. The defense has allowed over 60 points just four times this year and their ball pressure and full court press is the catalyst behind their early success. They’ve faced a tougher slate than Dudley, but they must be sure not to overlook them in this matchup.
Dudley (5-3) alternates wins and losses over the start of the season. They have been idle since December 20th and will likely be a little rusty to start. The storied program remains Explosive with premiere athletes who can run and jump out of the gym. Kam Taylor ‘28 and Sherrod White ‘26 both average 15 PPG, with White adding 10 RPG/2 BPG and Taylor 6 RPG/1.7 SPG. Defensive disruption is their strength, but losses have seen opponents average 72 PPG so their focal point should be limiting the West Forsyth offensive attack. They have the athletes to match up with West Forsyth, but they need to protect the ball and force West Forsyth to execute in the half court.
Key matchup: West Forsyth’s defense vs. Dudley’s athleticism. How well Dudley handles ball pressure is pivotal in this matchup. They have the size on the perimeter to put pressure on the defense but cannot give West Forsyth live ball turnovers which they thrive off. As for West Forsyth, this will be one of the more athletic teams they have faced, which means they need to defend without fouling. Getting in the bonus early could cost them late in this game with a player like Kam Taylor who can score at every level.
8:00 PM: Southern (10-3) vs Ben L. Smith (8-2)
The nightcap features a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s state championship classic; a game Ben L. Smith won in overtime after six fourth-quarter lead changes. Jyi Dawkins earned MVP honors with 29 points, while AJ Morman was named East MVP after posting 23 points and six rebounds.
Southern enters at 10–3, having won six of its last seven games and going 2–1 at the John Wall Invitational. Sophomore Sensation AJ Morman Jr has been electric, earning all-tournament honors, scoring 41 points in one game, and hitting a game-winner. While Southern isn’t particularly deep, its top six is strong. However, they struggled against length and athleticism in losses, an area Smith will look to exploit. In Southern losses they average just 57.6 points, all three coming against athletic teams who are like what Smith is going to bring to the table.
Ben L. Smith sits at 8–2 with both losses coming against top 25 out-of-state teams and none to North Carolina opponents. The Golden Eagles have been off since December 27th after competing in the Kruel Classic, where Dawkins shattered a 30-year tournament scoring record with 115 total points. Smith’s depth and relentless pressure for all 32 minutes make them a difficult matchup. Containing Morman will be priority number one as Smith looks to defend their state title.
Dawkins and Morman will be stars, that is just what they do and who they are. Which supporting cast can step up and help their star will be the deciding factor. Smith has the depth, length and athleticism to make things tough for Southern. However, Southern has added pieces and are completely different from what Smith saw in their last meeting. The emergence of KJ Terry and steady growth of Aden Jeffries has been pivotal in the success Southern has endured thus far. Dawkins supporting cast is much deeper and more balanced. Look for Freshman Nicholas Cannon to have a breakout game on both ends of the floor as he is one of the top two-way freshman wings in the state and looking to prove that in a big game like this.
Girls Preview
12:30 PM: T.W. Andrews vs. Grimsley
Grimsley (6-2) enters this contest looking to bounce back after dropping two of their last three games. The Whirlies are powered by one of the state’s top young backcourts, featuring junior point guard Shyla Simms, who pours in a team-high 20.6 points per game. Simms, fresh off a recent offer from UNCW to go along with interest from Elon and N.C. A&T is a dynamic scorer and facilitator who can take over games. Pairing with her is highly touted freshman Zoey Goodman, already holding 6 to 7 Division I offers. The 2029 combo guard contributes 12.3 points, 3.6 assists, and an impressive 3.4 steals per contest, providing elite playmaking and defensive disruption.
On the other hand, T.W. Andrews (4-3) is searching for momentum after a tough 0-3 showing at the recent John Wall Holiday Invitational. The Red Raiders have shown flashes of potential, highlighted by Sam Morgan‘s 20-point performance in a loss to South Garner. Look for Senior Forward Janiya Milligan to provide interior presence and athleticism, while Senior Guard Sam Morgan, a knockdown shooter, aims to build on her strong outing at the John Wall event.
This matchup pits Grimsley‘s high-upside, college-prospected guards against Andrews‘ size and shooting. If the Whirlies can protect the ball and get out in transition behind Simms and Goodman‘s offensive abilities, they should have the edge. Andrews will need hot shooting from Morgan and strong post play from Milligan to pull the upset and snap their skid.
2:00 PM: Terry Sanford vs Greensboro Day
Upon doing my research, there was not a lot on Greensboro Day outside of the record and scores of their games. When looking at that, it’s evident that they have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses. I am more familiar with Terry Sanford so this preview will be more about what Greensboro Day must do against one of the more battle tested teams in the state.
Terry Sanford (5-5) may sit at .500, but the Bulldogs have faced one of the toughest schedules among North Carolina public schools. They went 1-2 at the John Wall Invitational, including a game where they blew a large lead against Cannon. Terry Sanford boasts three double-digit scorers and thrives on suffocating pressure defense, forcing nearly 18 steals per game while controlling the glass at close to 40 rebounds per contest.
Leading the charge is senior guard Ameya Brown (Fayetteville State commit), averaging 13.9 PPG with her scoring and leadership. Junior wing Amya Harrington (Elon offer) earned John Wall All-Tournament honors with her versatility, while combo guard Jaidiah Blake (Class of 2027) is a stat-sheet stuffer with 7 D1 offers already and leads the team in rebounds, assists, and blocks. Two Bulldogs average 3.5+ steals, fueling their chaotic, turnover-forcing style.
This game could come down to tempo: Terry Sanford wants to speed things up, press full-court, and dominate the boards with Blake and Harrington‘s activity. Greensboro Day must be able to withstand the pressure and limit live ball turnovers. If the Bulldogs’ defense can generate steals and second-chance points, their battle-tested schedule could shine through for the win. Expect a physical, high-energy battle with plenty of recruiting eyes on Terry Sanford’s talented young core.