2023 State Playoffs: PBR Scouts Make Their Picks
May 9, 2023
The 2023 State Tournaments will begin today with the NCHSAA and NCISAA classifications. While the one and done system is one of the most antiquated tournament styles in the country, with most states surrounding North Carolina having implemented much better tournament processes that have produced a ton of interest and gate fees for the prevailing association, the talent in NC will produce a fantastic finish to the season.
Below Matt Payne and Brandon Hall take a look at each bracket and work to predict what could happen, in tournament setups that very rarely play to form.
2023 STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKETS
NCHSAA 1A
NCHSAA 2A
NCHSAA 3A
NCHSAA 4A
NCISAA 1A
NCISAA 2A
NCISAA 3A
NCISAA 4A
PBR SCOUTING DIRECTORS
Matt Payne - North Carolina Director of Scouting
High School - Alexander Central HS (2004)
College - North Carolina State (2004-2008)
Professional - Pittsburgh Pirates (2008-2009)
College Coaching - Wilkes CC (2011), Catawba Valley CC (2012), Appalachain St (2012-2016)
North Carolina State Playoff Memory:
Made it to the quarterfinals in my senior year, playing Independence. Obviously my last game of my high school career but also the game stands out because it had a great playoff atmosphere. The stands were full and two good teams played well through the final out.
Brandon Hall - Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
High School - Millbrook HS (1995 Grad)
College - UNC Wilmington (1995 - 1998)
College Coaching - UNC Wilmington (1998-2001) / Charlotte (2001-2017)
North Carolina State Playoff Memory:
My sophomore year the Wildcats of Millbrook HS made a run to the state semi-finals. The game was against New Hanover, ranked No. 1 in the country, and was moved to NC State to hold what many thought would be a huge crowd. As a club we panicked a little in the 1st inning, making a couple of unusual mistakes to fall behind. From that point, we played with New Hanover over the next 6 innings. The memory stuck as I moved forward, playing at UNCW and then coaching... how do we prepare as a team, and as individuals for big moments. That one game, and how we played early in the game vs. how we played late in the game, shaped a lot of my preparation with future teams, over the next 22 years on the field.
PICKING THE 2022 STATE TOURNAMENT
NCHSAA 1A
Payne's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #20 Mountain Heritage over #13 Highland Tech
Final 4 - #1 Cherryville, #3 Draughn, #1 Wilson Prep, #2 Chatham Charter
State Championship Matchup - #3 Draughn vs #2 Chatham Charter
State Champion - #3 Draughn
Hall's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #22 Riverside Martin over #11 Northwest Halifax
Final 4 - #4 North Duplin, #10 Roxboro Comm, #1 Cherryville, #2 Uwharrie Charter
State Championship Matchup - #4 North Duplin, #2 Uwharrie Charter
State Champion - North Duplin
NCHSAA 2A
Payne's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #26 East Burke over #7 East Davidson
Final 4 - #2 Randleman, #5 West Stanly, #2 Greene Central, #4 North Lenoir
State Championship Matchup - #5 West Stanly, #2 Greene Central
State Champion - West Stanly
Hall's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #22 Mount Pleasant over #11 Madison
Final 4 - #1 Midway, #2 Greene Central, #5 West Stanly, #2 Randleman
State Championship Matchup - #2 Greene Central, #5 West Stanly
State Champion - West Stanly
NCHSAA 3A
Payne's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #27 Carson over #6 Eastern Guilford
Final 4 - #2 St. Stephens, #4 West Rowan, #1 JH Rose, # 6 Southern Lee
State Championship Matchup - #4 West Rowan, #1JH Rose
State Champion - JH Rose
Hall's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #26 Franklinton over #7 West Carteret
Final 4 - #1 JH Rose, #6 Southern Lee, #25 Northwest Cabarrus, #3 West Henderson
State Championship Matchup - #6 Southern Lee, #3 West Henderson
State Champion - Southern Lee
NCHSAA 4A
Payne's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #23 Apex Friendship over #10 Pine Forest
Final 4 - #1 TC Roberson, #10 Reagan, #1 New Hanover, #2 Pinecrest
State Championship Matchup - #1 TC Roberson, #1 New Hanover
State Champion - New Hanover
Hall's Picks
Biggest Upset in Rd 1 - #24 Rolesville over #9 Purnell Swett
Final 4 - #4 Wake Forest, #2 Pinecrest, #12 Myers Park, #2 East Forsyth
State Championship Matchup - #4 Wake Forest, #12 Myers Park
State Champion - Wake Forest
NCISAA 1A
Payne's Picks
Final 4 - #1 Kerr-Vance, #5 Halifax Academy, #3 Pungo Christian Academy, #2 Cresset Christian Academy
State Championship Matchup - #1 Kerr-Vance, #2 Lawrence Academy
State Champion - #1 Kerr-Vance
Hall's Picks
Final 4 - #1 Kerr-Vance, #5 Halifax Academy, #3 Pungo Christian Academy, #2 Cresset Christian Academy
State Championship Matchup - #1 Kerr-Vance, #3 Pungo Christian Academy
State Champion - Kerr-Vance Academy
NCISAA 2A
Payne's Picks
Final 4 - #1 Wayne Country Day, #4 Rocky Mount Academy, #2 Grace Christian, #4 Rocky Mount Academy
State Championship Matchup - #2 Grace Christian, #1 Wayne Country Day
State Champion - #1 Wayne Country Day
Hall's Picks
Final 4 - #3 Westchester Country Day, #2 Grace Christian (Sanford), #1 Wayne Country Day, #4 Rocky Mount Academy
State Championship Matchup - #3 Westchester Country Day, #1 Wayne Country Day
State Champion - #3 Westchester Country Day
NCISAA 3A
Payne's Picks
Final 4 - #1 High Point Christian Academy, #5 Asheville Christian Academy, #2 Hickory Grove Christian, #3 Greensboro Day
State Championship Matchup - #1 High Point Christian Academy, #2 Hickory Grove
State Champion - #2 Hickory Grove
Hall's Picks
Final 4 - #1 High Point Christian Academy, #4 Wake Christian Academy, #2 Hickory Grove Christian, #3 Greensboro Day
State Championship Matchup - #1 High Point Christian Academy, #2 Hickory Grove Christian
State Champion - #1 High Point Christian Academy