Who will be North Carolina’s high school basketball players of the year? Meet the finalists

Here are the finalists for the N.C. Mr. Basketball and N.C. Ms. Basketball awards.

The Charlotte Observer has awarded the state’s biggest high school basketball honor since the 1984-85 season. Until the 2020-21 season, only seniors were eligible for the award. That rule has been lifted.

Boys’ finalists

Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg, 6-7, Sr, F: Evans won the award last season. Signed to Duke, he’s averaging 27.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals for the Vikings. Evans is ranked No. 11 nationally in the senior class.

Paul McNeil, Richmond Senior, 6-6, Sr, F: The N.C. State recruit is averaging 31.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.7 steals for the Raiders, who reached the N.C. 4A state championship game last season. McNeil is a top 75 recruit nationally.

Drake Powell, Northwood, 6-6, Sr, F: The UNC recruit is ranked No. 9 nationally and is averaging 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks. He’s generally considered the top defender in North Carolina in the senior class by most recruiting experts.

Girls’ finalists

Zamareya Jones, North Pitt, 5-4, Sr, G: Ranked No. 17 nationally, Jones has signed with N.C. State. This season, she is averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game.

Sarah Strong, Grace Christian, 6-2, Sr., F: The nation’s No. 1 recruit has not decided where she will go to college. This season, she led her team to an N.C. Independent Schools’ state title, averaging 21.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Strong won the award last season.

Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, Sr., C: Ranked No. 30 nationally, Thomas has signed with UNC. She was a finalist for this award last season. As a senior, Thomas is averaging 18.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.

Previous winners

MR. BASKETBALL

2022-23: Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg

2021-22: Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian

2020-21: Terquavion Smith, Farmville Central

2019-20: Tristan Maxwell, North Mecklenburg

2018-19: Wendell Moore, Cox Mill

2017-18: Coby White, Greenfield School

2016-17: Lavar Batts, Concord Robinson

2015-16: Edrice Adebayo, High Point Christian

2014-15: Brandon Ingram, Kinston

2013-14: Theo Pinson, High Point Christian

2012-13: Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb

2011-12: Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room

2010-11: Terry Whisnant, Cherryville

2009-10: Reggie Bullock, Kinston

2008-09: Mason Plumlee, Arden Christ School

2007-08: Ty Walker, Wilmington N. Hanover

2006-07: Demontez Stitt, Butler

2005-06: Will Graves, Greensboro Dudley

2004-05: Kevin Swinton, Greensboro Dudley

2003-04: Anthony Morrow, Charlotte Latin

2002-03: Chris Paul, West Forsyth

2001-02: Shavlik Randolph, Raleigh Broughton

2000-01: Anthony Richardson, Raleigh Leesville Road

1999-00: Scooter Sherrill, West Rowan

1998-99: Jason Parker, West Charlotte

1997-98: Kris Lang, Gastonia Huss

1996-97: Jenis Grindstaff, Marion McDowell

1995-96: Vincent Whitt, Greensboro Dudley

1994-95: Antawn Jamison, Providence

1993-94: Ishua Benjamin, Concord

1992-93: Jeff Capel, Hope Mills South View

1991-92: Todd Fuller, Charlotte Christian

1990-91: Donald Williams, Garner

1989-90: Rodney Rogers, Durham Hillside

1988-89: Bryant Feggins, Winston-Salem Glenn

1987-88: Kenny Williams, Elizabeth City Northeastern

1986-87: Henrik Rodl, Chapel Hill

1985-86: Robert Brickey, Fayetteville Smith

1984-85: Chucky Brown, North Brunswick

MS. BASKETBALL

2022-23: Sarah Strong, Grace Christian

2021-22: Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship

2020-21: Saniya Rivers, Ashley

2019-20: Chyna Cornwell, Newton-Conover

2018-19: Nia Daniel, Hickory Ridge

2017-18: Izabella Nicolette, Raleigh Neuse Christian

2016-17: Mikey’s Boykin, Clinton

2015-16: Erin Whalen, Providence Day

2014-15: Stephanie Watts, Weddington

2013-14: Jatarie White, Providence Day

2012-13: Keri Fulp, East Surry

2011-12: Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day

2010-11: Cierra Burdick, Butler

2009-10: Shannon Smith, Gastonia Forestview

2008-09: Christal Caldwell, West Charlotte

2007-08: Candace Wood, Victory Christian

2006-07: Cetera DeGraffenreid, Smoky Mountain

2005-06: Joy Cheek, South Mecklenburg

2004-05: Rashanda McCants, Asheville

2003-04: Chante Black, East Forsyth

2002-03: Camille Little, Winston-Salem Carver

2001-02: Kerri Gardin, Morganton Freedom

2000-01: Natasha Brackett, Providence Day

1999-00: Chrystal Baptist, Charlotte Christian

1998-99: Amy Simpson, Eden Morehead

1997-98: Tina McKiver, East Duplin

1996-97: Tynesha Lewis, Southwest Edgecombe

1995-96: Shea Ralph, Sanford

1994-95: Natasha Davis, Morganton Freedom

1993-94: Tiffani Johnson, Garinger

1992-93: Konecka Drakeford, Providence Day

1991-92: Wendy Palmer, Roxboro Person

1990-91: Christy Cagle, Hayesville

1989-90: Tonya Sampson, Clinton

1988-89: Danyel Parker, Clinton

1987-88: Mitzi Yount, Catawba Bandys

1986-87: Andrea Stinson, North Mecklenburg

1985-86: Schonna Banner, West Caldwell

1984-85: Jill Goldberg, Raleigh Broughton