It is that time of year again... the North Carolina Baseball State Playoffs.  In total, we will be following 8 state tournaments, each a single elimination format (in 2024 -- seriously -- still single elimination!?!?).  In the preview below will be up to date brackets with expected schedules, plus thoughts and picks from our Prep Baseball Scouting Staff.

NCHSAA 1A Tournament Preview

WEST REGION BRACKET

WEST REGION SCHEDULE

1st Round: Tuesday May 7, 2024
2nd Round: Friday May 10, 2024
3rd Round: Tuesday May 14, 2024
4th Round: Friday May 17, 2024
West Region Finals: Best of 3 May 20 - 25, 2024

WEST REGION TOP SEEDS

#1 Mount Airy
#2 Uwharrie Charter
#3 Christ the King
#4 Draughn

CINDERELLA STORY - WEST REGION

From our team of scouts, a look at the bracket to see if any teams outside the Top 10 seeds could make a run.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

This is always a wild tournament, but I think the West Region was seeded pretty well from what we have seen.  I do not see a Cinderella Run in the West.

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Don't see a Cinderella story happening in the 1A west region, teams seem to be seeded fairly and I like the top seeds to run the table.

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Cinderlla stories are fun to see not sure I see one all the way to the finish here. I could see Swain County make a little run in the playoffs, never know what happens if they can win the first one.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & WEST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Mt. Airy vs. No. 5 Cherryville
No. 6 Union Academy vs. No. 2 Uwharrie Charter

Region Final
No. 5 Cherryville vs. No. 2 Uwharrie Charter

Region Champion: Uwharrie Charter

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Mt. Airy vs No. 4 Draughn
No. 2 Uwharrie Charter vs No. 3 Christ the King

Region Championship
No. 4 Draughn vs. No. 2 Uwharrie Charter

Region Champion
No. 4 Draughn 

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Mt. Airy vs No. 4 Draughn
No. 2 Uwharrie Charter vs No. 3 Christ the King

Region Championship
No. 1 Mount Airy vs. No. 2 Uwharrie Charter

Region Champion
No. 2 Uwharrie Charter

EAST REGION BRACKET

EAST REGION SCHEDULE

1st Round: Tuesday May 7, 2024
2nd Round: Friday May 10, 2024
3rd Round: Tuesday May 14, 2024
4th Round: Friday May 17, 2024
West Region Finals: Best of 3 May 20 - 25, 2024

EAST REGION TOP SEEDS

#1 Bear Grass Charter
#2 Wilson Prep
#3 Northside (Pinetown)
#4 East Wake Academy

CINDERELLA STORY - EAST REGION

From our team of scouts, a look at the bracket to see if any teams outside the Top 10 seeds could make a run.

Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-ATL Scouting Director:

The No. 12 seed Perquimans jumps out at me a little.  This is a club that has experience in making a deep run in this tournament. They are more use to the travel that could be expected, but for games where they are the higher seed, the bus ride to Perquimans could equate to a couple of runs if it is not handled well. 

Patrick Johnson, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Hard for me to see a team that truly jumps out as a cinderella story in this bracket, the top seeds are just too tough for the lower seeds. 

Zach Boraski, NC Asst Scouting Director:

Voyager and Perquimans both have enough talent to make a deep run. They are both on the bottom of the bracket so it wouldnt surprise me if one of them made it out.

SCOUTS PICKS - FINAL FOUR & EAST REGION CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 12 Perquimans
No. 6. Chatham Charter vs. No. 2 Wilson Prep

Region Championship
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 6 Chatham Charter

Region Champion
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter

Patrick Johnson: 

No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs No. 4 East Wake Academy
No. 2 Wilson Prep vs No. 6 Chatham Charter

Region Championship
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs No. 2 Wilson Prep

Region Champion
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter in 2 games

Zach Boraski:

No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 4 East Academy 
No. 11. Ocracoke vs. No. 2 Wilson Prep

Region Championship
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 2 Wilson Prep

Region Champion
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter

SCOUT PICKS - NCHSAA 1A STATE CHAMPION

Brandon Hall:

Bear Grass Charter over Uwharrie Charter in 3 games.

Patrick Johnson:

Draughn has been playing exceptional baseball at the end of the year and can continue their magical run on the season.

Zach Boraski:

Bear Grass Charter in 3