Two Observer-area players named NC high school basketball players of the year
Two Charlotte-area high school stars were named MaxPreps N.C. state players of the year.
Cannon School sophomore Jaden Bradley, who led his team to a state title, was named N.C. high school boys basketball player of the year. Newton-Conover’s Chyna Cornwell, who led her team to its first state final in 28 years, is the girls state player of the year.
The N.C. Associated Press boys and girls basketball teams, recognized as the state’s official all-state team, has not been released. That team is voted on by media members throughout the state.
On Sunday, the AP sent a note to the media saying that voting has been suspended until “there is clarity about whether (the N.C. High School Athletic Association) title games will go forward or be canceled to officially end the season.”
The Charlotte Observer annually names its All-Observer team as well as names a Mr. and Ms. Basketball in North Carolina. Those awards are scheduled to debut next month.
Bradley leads team to state title
Bradley led Cannon to a 71-69 win over Charlotte Latin in the N.C. Independent Schools 4A state championship game last month. Bradley had a team-high 27 points in the final and finished a season where he averaged 23 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
Ranked among the top 10 players in the class of 2022, Bradley is one of several Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer players to make the MaxPreps all-state team.
Bradley was joined on the first team by Apex Friendship forward Nick Farrar, an N.C. State recruit; North Mecklenburg’s Tristan Maxwell, an Georgia Tech recruit; and Bobby Pettiford, a junior guard.
Three Raleigh-area stars made the second team: Millbrook’s Will Felton, Word of Gods Isaiah Todd, and Leesvile Road’s Carter Whitt.
Southern Durham’s Ricky Council and Hickory Grove’s AJ Smith made the third team.
Cornwell’s dominant year sparks award
On the girls side, Cornwell produced 30 straight double-doubles and averaged 26.2 points, 16.7 rebounds per game. Newton-Conover’s state championship was postponed by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, but isn’t likely to be played.
Cornwell, signed to Rutgers, was joined on the first team by two Raleigh-area players: Apex Friendship sophomore Indya Nivar and Southeast Raleigh’s Anya Poole, a senior.
Two Charlotte-area players made second team: North Mecklenburg’s Jessica Timmons, a junior guard, and Cannon junior guard Reigan Richardson.
Durham Hillside’s Faith Blackstone made the third team.
See the entire girls team here
