Meet the NC Super Team. The top boys and girls basketball players in North Carolina
Today, we introduce the Super Team, the top boys and girls basketball players in North Carolina.
This is the second year that the Charlotte Observer and News & Observer of Raleigh have teamed up to present these awards, after the Associated Press stopping naming the teams, which it had done since the early 1980s using a statewide media vote.
▪ The 2021-22 boys all-state player of the year is Carmel Christian’s Cade Tyson, a 6-foot-7 Belmont signee who was also named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina. Tyson led his team to a No. 2 finish in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, one spot behind unbeaten Weddington as well as a N.C. 4A private school state championship upset of nationally ranked Greensboro Day.
Tyson scored 33 points in the final and averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He finished his career with 2,052 points.
▪ The girls all-state player of the year is Apex Friendship’s Indya Nivar, a 5-10 guard signed with Stanford. She averaged 18.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 steals, leading Apex Friendship (29-2) to its first state championship game. Apex will face Charlotte’s Chambers High for the 4A title Saturday in Chapel Hill. Nivar, a McDonald’s All-American, was named N.C. Ms. Basketball and N.C. Gatorade player of the year.
▪ The Super Team coaches of the year are Weddington’s Gary Ellington and Chambers’ Donnell Rhyne. Ellington led his team to a second straight N.C. state championship, despite moving up from 3A to 4A, the most competitive public school class in North Carolina. His team finished undefeated over the past two seasons and was ranked in the top 15 of several national polls. Rhyne’s team won a third straight N.C. 4A girls state championship, the first time that had been done.
BOYS SUPER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Daniel Sanford, Chambers, 6-7, Sr., F: South Carolina Gamecocks recruit was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in North Carolina and was District 9, Queen City conference player of the year. Averaged 16 points., eight rebounds for N.C. 4A quarterfinalist.
Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian, 6-7, Sr., F: N.C. Mr. Basketball averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists for N.C. state champion.
Chase Lowe, Weddington, 6-5, Sr., G: N.C. 4A finals MVP led Weddington to back-to-back NCHSAA state titles. Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals. Three-time conference POY.
Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior, 6-6, Soph, F: N.C. Gatorade player of the year averaged 24.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Scored 661 points this season.
Noah Ross, Trinity Academy, 6-6, Senior, F: led his team to the NCISAA 2A state final against Burlington School. UNC-Wilmington commit. Averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds.
SECOND TEAM
Takorrie Faison, Goldsboro
Jarin Stevenson, Seaforth
Jah Short, Farmville Central
Xavier McKelvy, United Faith
Jordan Chambers, North Mecklenburg
HONORABLE MENTION
Jaylen Curry, Chambers
Isaiah Evans, North Meck
Drake Powell, Northwood
James Scott, Fayetteville 71st
Kany Tchanda, Concord Academy
Aaron Murphy, Greenfield
Jackson Keith, Southern Durham
Jaiden Thompson, Central Cabarrus
Nolan Hodge, Northern Guilford
Collin Kuhl, Holly Spring
POY: Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian
COY: Gary Ellington, Chambers
GIRLS SUPER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship, 5-10, Sr., G: McDonald’s All-American averaged 18.9 points and 8.6 rebounds for a N.C. 4A runner-up.
Sarah Strong, Grace Christian, 6-2, So., F: Top 25 national recruit led team to 29-1 record, a state title, and averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks per game.
Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, So., F: Averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for N.C. 4A state semifinalist. Top 10 national recruit in her class.
Imani Lester, North Raleigh Christian, 6-4, Sr., C: Led her team to the NCISAA 4A state title with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks in the final; Louisville commit
Emily Hege, North Davidson, 5-8, Sr., G: Averaged 27.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.2 steals for a team that won 25 of 28 games.
SECOND TEAM
La’Niya Simes, East Forsyth
Kylie Chavis, Purnell Swett
Miya Giles-Jones, Terry Sanford
Zamareya Jones, North Pitt
Maraja Pass, Shelby
HONOROABLE MENTION
Samyha Suffren, Cannon School
Emerson Thompson, Falls Lake Academy
Torin Rogers, Murphy
Kate Sears, Watauga
Senali Moss, South Mecklenburg
Anya Massey, Hoggard
Desiree Askew, Hertford County
Reychel Douglas, Millbrook
Amiya Joyner, Farmville Central
Mila Holloway, Chambers
Olivia Porter, Northwood
POY: Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship
COY: Donnell Rhyne, Chambers
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
