LUMBERTON — As basketball season starts to crank up, The Robesonian is publishing the list of the top 15 boys and girls basketball players in Robeson County before the season gets into full swing this week.
A lot of familiar faces return to their teams, and the top 15 list that was compiled with local coaches input, statistics from last season and perception heading into the 2018-19 season by The Robesonian sports staff.
BOYS
1. Jordan McNeill, Lumberton
The junior guard from Lumberton tops the list this season after two years worth of all-county performances leading up to this season. Along with being the county’s leading returning scorer, McNeill also brings toughness as a guard for the Pirates.
2. Kylerr Page, South Robeson
No player in Robeson County is as versatile as Page with his ability to cover all five positions. Now in a new setting in South Robeson, the senior brings his diverse skill set to the 1A level with talented pieces around him for the Mustangs this year.
3. Jayvon Morris, Fairmont
After bursting on the scene last year as a junior, Morris is one of the few experienced players for the always-dangerous Golden Tornadoes. He adds depth, scoring and seniority to one of the tallest Fairmont rosters in recent memory.
4. Darriante Parker, Purnell Swett
It doesn’t take opposing teams too long to find out exactly why Parker’s nickname is “Speedy.” With the quickness the senior brings in the backcourt for Purnell Swett, he’s a weapon on both sides of the ball for the Rams.
5. Keegan Brayboy, Red Springs
Brayboy transfers to Red Springs from Purnell Swett and now takes over as point guard for the Red Devils who are in need of the valuable varsity experience that Brayboy has. With his size, the senior will also help a smaller Red Springs team.
6. Emonta Smith, St. Pauls
With the top two scorers from last season exiting the program with graduation, Smith has more on his shoulders, and the junior guard has the ability to be the scorer St. Pauls needs. Having one year of varsity experience, and a consistent stroke from behind the arc will make Smith a leader for the Bulldogs.
7. Kwashek Breeden, Lumberton
One of the Pirates’ experienced frontcourt duo, Breeden is poised for a big senior year in a system that fits his skill set. While he’s the tallest player on Lumberton’s roster at 6-foot-4, his ability to score from 30 feet and in makes him a dangerous weapon.
8. Braylan Grice, Lumberton
Alongside Breeden, Grice is a force to be reckoned with in the paint, and there are few players that can match his physicality and hunger to get a lose ball or rebound. The senior should have no trouble averaging 13 rebounds a game this year.
9. Xavier Jones, Purnell Swett
Much like Grice, Jones enters his junior year at rival Purnell Swett as the same role. A bully in the post, Jones has a knack for finishing with contact, as well as pulling down boards in bunches for a balanced Rams team that has seniors in the guard position and in the post.
10. Kaheem Pittman, Fairmont
Held up with injuries last season, Pittman had a junior year where he wasn’t as much of a contributor as he was at the end of his sophomore season. On his final go-round, Pittman joins a lengthy Fairmont frontcourt that will have to help along the young backcourt.
11. Caleb Henderson, St. Pauls
Like Smith, Henderson enters his junior season as one of the players the Bulldogs will look to for leadership and scoring. Cousins with McNeill, the guard features the same skill set of a scrappy guard that’s not afraid to collide in the paint.
12. Cameron Werrell, South Robeson
Werrell presents a mismatch problem for teams with his big 6-foot-6, 270-pound frame that has a touch to hit from the outside.
13. Sharon Wilson, Fairmont
As one of the newcomers for the Golden Tornadoes, Wilson will be expected to learn quickly in the Golden Tornadoes system, but coach Montrell McNair said he will be ready to be a key piece for the next two years.
14. Zack Carter, Purnell Swett
Coming over from South Robeson, Carter will play the guard opposite Parker, and the senior brings no fear when he steps on the court and drives the lane.
15. Shyheim Richardson, Red Springs
Seeing limited time last year for the Red Devils, Richardson will get his time and points this year for a guard-heavy Red Springs team.
GIRLS
1. T.J. Eichelberger, St. Pauls
As the county’s top freshman a year ago, Eichelberger returns with a majority of her team from a year ago in what could add up to a successful sophomore season. With more experience around her, the guard’s overall numbers should increase.
2. Madison Canady, Lumberton
Over the last two seasons, Canady has averaged a double-double and has been the main source of offense in the post for the Lady Pirates. Now all eyes are on her to lead and carry the scoring load as she is able to score from the post and from deep.
3. Taylynn Atkinson, Red Springs
With the best handles of any player her size in the county, Atkinson will be relied upon to not only be the leading scorer, but also a top ball-handler this season for the Lady Red Devils.
4. Nytia Lewis, South Robeson
For the last three seasons, Lewis has been a major force in the post for the Lady Mustangs and her senior year with most of her teammates from a year ago returning should add up to a better season.
5. Diamond Simms-Moore, St. Pauls
Simms-Moore developed her offense in the offseason to complement the play of Eichelberger. This comes after the senior’s length and quickness already made her as a solid defender for the Lady Bulldogs.
6. Rachel O’Neil, Lumberton
With no London Thompson on the perimeter, O’Neil enters her senior season as the main source of outside shooting for the Lady Pirates, and has proven in her career she can drain shots from deep in high volume.
7. Sariayah Thompson, Fairmont
As a freshman last year, Thompson came onto the scene late, but played well down the stretch as Kiara Page was sidelined. Now with full control for the Lady Golden Tornadoes, minutes and points should increase for her.
8. Alexandria Simpson, Lumberton
Thompson’s size makes her another good option in the post for Lumberton. The senior’s ability to crash the boards and finish inside beside Canady makes the Lady Pirates tough to beat against smaller teams.
9. Shakiya Floyd, St. Pauls
For the Lady Bulldogs this season, Floyd will provide depth in the backcourt with her defense and her ball-handling ability to play alongside Eichelberger.
10. Haley Musselwhite, Purnell Swett
As one of the few seniors this season for the Lady Rams, Musselwhite will be a big piece as to how Purnell Swett does. Her deep shooting threat will keep opposing teams honest.
11. Kiona Page, Fairmont
After seeing limited minutes last season, Page steps into the spotlight and is expected to make up for some of the lost offense that her sister, Kiara, left behind.
12. Jalexis Bratcher, Red Springs
Bratcher will be the primary ball-handler heading into the season for the Lady Red Devils and her scoring ability as a shooting guard in the past will make her another offensive weapon.
13. Hailey Werrell, South Robeson
Werrell and Lewis form a solid frontcourt presence heading into Werrell’s junior season as their backcourt now is a year older and experienced.
14. Santana Anderson, Fairmont
Fairmont coach Richard Mitchell believes that Anderson and a few other freshmen will see major minutes in their first season and help through the rebuilding year.
15. Tala Lowry, Purnell Swett
Like Musselwhite, Lowry’s experience as a senior will be key for the Lady Rams under a new coaching staff, that and her ability to execute the offense.
