Vote: Who should be SBLive’s North Carolina High School Athlete of the Week (1/22/2023)?
We have 10 athletes nominated this week for SBLive’s North Carolina High School Athlete of the Week from Jan. 15-21 and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the top athlete selected. Voting will conclude on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced in next week’s poll.
Congratulations to last week's winner: Cam Honey of Ayden-Grifton Boys Basketball.
Here are this week's nominees:
Paul McNeil, Richmond, Boys Basketball
The 6-foot-6 star would be at the top of any list based on what he did in the Raiders’ 118-52 win over Lee County. McNeil, a North Carolina State commit, scored a state-record 71 points, breaking a mark that had stood for 74 years. McNeil achieved his remarkable feat even as the second half was played with a running clock. McNeil was 28-of-49 from the field while also getting 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.
Gabby Locklear, Lumberton, Girls Basketball
Locklear scored 21 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and handed out 5 assists in Lumberton’s 70-35 win over Douglas Byrd.
Yari Brock, Durham Academy, Girls Swimming
Brock was a double winner for the Cavaliers, taking the 200 free and the 100 butterfly in a four-way meet with Voyager Academy, Vance Charter and Oxford Prep. Brock, an eighth grader, won both events by wide margin and anchored the Cavaliers’ winning 400 free relay.
Grant Larsen, Pinecrest, Boys Swimming
Larsen was in on four victories for the Patriots in the Sandhills Athletic Conference meet. He took the 50 free and 100 free and was on the 200 free and 400 free relays.
Zyon Chambers, Newton-Conover, Boys Basketball
Chambers hit a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left to lift the Red Devils to a 56-55 win over Bandys. The 6-foot-6 senior finished the game, N-C’s fifth win in a row, with 15 points.
Noah Guerrero, Croatan, Indoor Track and Field
Guerrero, a junior, was a double winner in the Croatan Polar Bear No. 3 meet, taking the 1,000 meters and the 3,200 meters for the host team.
L.J. Smith IV, Lincolnton, Boys Basketball
Smith poured in 31 points as the Wolves beat East Burke 64-50. The 6-foot-4 freshman is one of the state’s top scorers with 32.1 points per game.
Logan Johnson, United Faith Christian Academy, Boys Basketball
The 6-foot-3 sophomore point guard had 17 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds against North Hills in United Faith’s 99-47 win.
Aziyah Boyer, Goldsboro, Girls Basketball
Boyer dominated by scoring 32 points for the undefeated Cougars in their 53-52 victory over Beddingfield. The 5-foot-11 sophomore is averaging 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds a game.
Sarah Strong, Grace Christian Academy, Girls Basketball
Strong is one of the nation’s top recruits playing for a team in the national top 25. The 6-foot-2 senior had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists as the undefeated Crusaders overwhelmed Wesleyan Christian Academy 80-39. Then she had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists in a 60-43 showdown win over fellow state power Bishop McGuinness. Strong, whose parents both played Division I college basketball, averages 19.6 points and 16.7 rebounds per game.
