NCHSAA championship central: Your guide to the regional, state finals in Winston-Salem
It’s Final Four Week for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s basketball playoffs.
The NCHSAA brought the Final Four format to Winston-Salem last year, and it was a big hit with fans, players and coaches.
It’s back in 2025 and Monday through Thursday will feature four games — the West and East boys’ and girls’ regional finals. State championships will be played Friday (3A and 1A) and Saturday (4A and 2A).
The Charlotte area has eight boys and girls teams in the regional finals this week.
Each day, we’ll bring you a complete look at the high school Final Four, with previews, venue information, sidelights, notes and game summaries.
So let’s get it started, with updates and previews from Monday’s 3A contests:
Planning to go?
All games are at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Location: 2825 University Parkway, Winston-Salem
Tickets: Monday through Thursday, $15 at the gate or in advance through Ticketmaster, at www.jvm/com/events-tickets (tickets bought via Ticketmaster have an extra $1.50 charge); tickets for the championship games Friday and Saturday are $20 (plus the $1.50 charge on Ticketmaster).
Bag policy: Clear plastic bags up to 1 gallon permitted, as are handbags the size of a hand (6.5 by 4.5 inches).
Prohibited items: Noisemakers, cameras with lenses longer than 6 inches; cans, glasses or metal containers; food or drink; signs and banners (see website for complete list)
Parking: $10 per car; $30 per charter bus
Information: www.ljvm.com
HOW TO WATCH
All games carried live by NFHS, available via subscription (www.nfhs.com)
Live scoreboard
Today’s topic
Which game draws the biggest crowd?
Common sense would say that the 4A schools, with their large enrollments, would draw the biggest crowds this week to Winston-Salem. And, typically, boys games outdraw girls contests.
But if last year is any indication, the biggest crowds came from the places where there is only one school in the town or county. And sometimes the girls’ games draw big crowds.
So if last year is any guide, look for Tuesday night’s 1A West girls game between Cherokee and Bishop McGuinness to have a big turnout. The whole town of Cherokee seemed to be at Winston-Salem last year, following the highly successful girls team. And the Braves will be facing a heavily-followed hometown team in Bishop McGuinness.
Another big draw is 2A boys power Reidsville, and since the Rams are facing a relatively local school in Bandys for the West regional crown, their 8 p.m. Thursday contest could be a big draw.
Monday at the Final Four
It’s 3A Day in Winston-Salem, and here are previews of Monday’s four games:
GAME 1: (West girls) STUART CRAMER 62, NORTH LINCOLN 38
Stuart Cramer pulled away in the second half to gain an easy win and advance to Friday’s NCHSAA 3A state championship game in Winston-Salem.
Detailed recap to come.
GAME 2: (East boys) SOUTHERN DURHAM vs. SWANSBORO
Tipoff time: 4 p.m.
Streaming: NFHS Network
Scouting Southern Durham (29-2)
State title history: Second in 1958 (Class A).
Losses: The Spartans lost to a pair of Virginia teams during a holiday tournament but are unbeaten against N.C. competition.
Previewing the Spartans: Their only close game against an in-state opponent came in the third round of the playoffs, in a 71-65 victory over First Flight. Southern Durham typically uses its height and strength to control the boards, and the Spartans also are adept at forcing turnovers. They are led by Jackson Keith (22.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and standout freshman A.J. Morman Jr. (14.5 ppg).
How Southern Durham could win: The Spartans are much taller than Swansboro, so they should have an advantage on the boards. However, they’ll need to take care of the ball against a very fast and tough Swansboro defense. In short, Southern Durham is the favorite if they keep turnovers in control and rebound well.
Side note: Southern Durham actually has undergone a name change, as it’s the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (SSES). You might hear that name used in broadcasts.
Scouting Swansboro (25-1)
Losses: The Pirates’ sole loss was 76-66 to New Hanover, which is playing for the 4A East regional title.
State title history: The program has never reached a state championship game.
Previewing the Pirates: They have overwhelmed 25 of the 26 teams they’ve faced this season, winning their first conference championship in 47 years. They force turnovers and have a lot of depth, with different players stepping up when needed. Three Pirates average 16 points or more, led by 6-5 wing Tayvion Tangiora (18.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg). Tangiora is the only player taller than 6-3.
How Swansboro could win: The Pirates can keep their historic season going by doing what they’ve done in their 26 games — force mistakes, grab some rebounds, and make their next-man-up mentality keep them going. They’ll need to make enough plays on the inside to negate Southern Durham’s height advantage.
GAME 3: (East girls) TERRY SANFORD VS. WESTERN ALAMANCE
Tipoff time: 6 p.m.
Streaming: NFHS Network
Scouting Terry Sanford (27-3)
State title history: Second in 1994 (as a 4A school), 1996 (4A), 2000 (4A) and last year (3A, losing to West Rowan).
Losses: The Bulldogs lost twice to private school state champion Sanford Grace Christian and once to New York’s South Shore.
Previewing the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs play lock-down defense, holding opponents to an average of 34 points a game this season. And their offense is balanced, with four players averaging in double figures. Leading the way is 5-11 sophomore Amya Harrington (11.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg). Sophomore Nina Spraggins (6-3) and two other 5-10 players provide additional rebounding strength.
How Terry Sanford could win: The Bulldogs need to play their game … strong defense and rebounding to set up occasional fast breaks.
Scouting Western Alamance (26-4)
Losses: Greensboro Day; Chapel Hill; Southeast Alamance; T.W. Andrews
Previewing the Warriors: There’s nobody over 5-11 in the lineup, but the Warriors win with solid defense and accurate shooting. They also are quicker than most of their opponents.
How Western Alamance could win: The Warriors will have a height disadvantage but hope to disrupt the Terry Sanford offense with strong defense. The Warriors will need to create turnovers to stay in this game.
GAME 4: (West boys) HUNTER HUSS VS. BEN SMITH
Tipoff time: 8 p.m.
Streaming: NFHS Network
Scouting Hunter Huss (20-8)
Losses: The Huskies lost three times to Gastonia rival Ashbrook, twice to Crest, and once each to Queen’s Grant charter and Gaston Christian.
State title history: champions in 1977 (4A), 1985 (4A) and 2011 (3A).
Previewing the Huskies: First, the negatives. Hunter Huss has the most losses of any 3A state semifinalist, and the Huskies don’t have a player taller than 6-2. Plus, their top players are freshmen and sophomores.
Jaleel Smith, a 6-1 freshman, leads the team with 23.3 points a game, and sophomore Zaiyir “Zii” Phillips is averaging 18.8.
How Huss could win: The Huskies will be at a significant height disadvantage, but they play tenacious defense. They’ll need to force Ben Smith into turnovers, much like they did against Ashbrook in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Scouting Ben Smith (27-3)
Losses: Dudley (twice), Greensboro Day
State title history: second in 1995 (4A).
Previewing the Golden Eagles: They are a big, strong team, led by 6-10 senior Ty’Sere Payne (13.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg) and 6-4 junior Jyi Dawkins (23.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg). There’s also 6-7 Mohammed Ndiaye. They had turnover problems against Dudley, and that might be something Hunter Huss tries to replicate.
How Ben Smith could win: The Golden Eagles probably would be the favorite, given their height advantage. If they can avoid turnovers against the Huss defense, and if they can dominate the boards, Smith could push its way into the title game.
This week’s schedule
MONDAY (Class 3A)
West girls
Stuart Cramer (28-2) vs. North Lincoln (29-1), 2 p.m.
East boys
Swansboro (25-1) vs. Southern Durham (29-2), 4 p.m.
East girls
Terry Sanford (27-3) vs. Western Alamance (26-4), 6 p.m.
West boys
Hunter Huss (20-8) vs. Ben Smith (27-3), 8 p.m.
TUESDAY (Class 1A)
West boys
Corvian Community (23-7) vs. Queen’s Grant Charter (27-7), 2 p.m.
East girls
Perquimans vs. East Bladen, 4 p.m.
East boys
Washington County (22-3) vs. Southern Wake Academy (26-4), 6 p.m.
West girls
Bishop McGuinness vs. Cherokee, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY (Class 4A)
West boys
Chambers (23-8) vs. North Mecklenburg (28-3), 2 p.m.
East boys
New Hanover (29-2) vs. Sanderson (27-3), 4 p.m.
East girls
Hoggard (30-1) vs. Wakefield (25-3), 6 p.m.
West girls
McDowell (30-0) vs. Lake Norman (28-1), 8 p.m.
THURSDAY (Class 2A)
East girls
Southeast Alamance (27-3) vs. Seaforth (28-2), 2 p.m.
East boys
West Bladen (27-1) vs. Northwood (29-2), 4 p.m.
West girls
North Wilkes (29-1) vs. East Burke (29-1), 6 p.m.
West boys
Reidsville (29-0) vs. Bandys (22-7), 8 p.m.
State championships
FRIDAY
Classes 1A and 3A (times to be announced)
SATURDAY
Classes 2A and 4A (times to be announced)
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM with the headline "NCHSAA championship central: Your guide to the regional, state finals in Winston-Salem."