HS Basketball Playoff Preview

Most of Cleveland County’s state playoff basketball teams are matched up against unfamiliar squads in the first round. Only Crest’s boys, who face Freedom, are playing a team they have seen this season.

But all will be in familiar territory — at home.

Due to the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s rotating seeding priority, the Southwestern and Big South Conferences, respectively, got the luck of the draw and seven area teams will entertain first-round foes in the expanded, 64-team playoffs.

The boy’s playoffs begin today with the second round on Wednesday, while the girls start Tuesday and continue Thursday if they advance.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Boys

Shelby (21-4), the SWC regular-season and tournament champion, takes on Hibriten (6-19), the Catawba Valley’s fourth seed. The Panthers have the worst record in the 2A West bracket and Shelby should cruise into the second round. The Golden Lions may not get a tough test until the sectional finals/third round against Newton-Conover (20-5).

Burns (7-16) is one of two teams (along with Kings Mountain) in the 3A West hosting a first-rounder with a losing record. The Bulldogs, who hit their stride during conference play, take on 4-16 South Point. If they win, Burns would also be home to face the winner of Olympic (12-12) and North Buncombe (16-11) in the second round.

Kings Mountain (8-18) drew a tough test as it will host Hickory (17-6), the No. 2 out of the Catawba Valley. The Mounties are playing their best ball of the season at the right time, and they will need to continue that consistency to advance.

Crest (19-7) battles former Northwestern Conference foe Freedom (12-13), one of four 4A wild-card teams. The Chargers and Patriots split a pair of regular season meetings, each winning on their home floors. Freedom is better than its record indicates, but Crest — coming off a loss to Hunter Huss — should bounce back at home.

Girls

Shelby (21-4) looks to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to East Rutherford in the SWC championship when it hosts Maiden (12-12). The Golden Lions’ fullcourt pressure and scoring of Lindsey Montgomery and Tiera Sweezy should be plenty to get them to a second-rounder at Mitchell County (20-5).

Kings Mountain (12-10) entertains St. Stephens (21-6) from the Catawba Valley. The KM girls have endured numerous injuries this season, so just making the playoffs is a solid accomplishment for Donna Dewitt’s squad.

Crest (12-13) faces A.C. Reynolds (16-10) in a contest where both teams feature solid size in the post. The key to the Chargers advancing will be how they handle any backcourt pressure by the Rockets, who have a win over highly ranked McDowell to their credit.

Looking ahead

If area teams advance to the sectional finals/third round, the games will be played on a neutral floor.

The sectional sites are as follows with boy’s games Friday, Feb. 23 and girl’s games Saturday, Feb. 24:

4A boys — Gardner-Webb University;

4A girls — East Burke High School or Catawba Valley Community College if East Burke qualifies;

3A boys and girls — Mars Hill;

2A boys and girls — Asheville Erwin High School.

The West regionals will be the following week in Winston-Salem.