The final stretch: A look at the area's top five boys and girls basketball players
It's been a whirlwind of a season for area high school boys and girls basketball teams, and now that season is in its final three weeks.
Heading down the stretch, Hendersonville High's boys and Rosman's girls are the best of the area. The Bearcats, who fell in the 2-A state finals last season to Farmville Central, are 16-1 and 5-1 in the conference and are currently the No. 1-ranked 2-A team in the state.
For the girls, leading the way is Rosman, which is 14-1 and 5-1 in the league. The Tigers are the second-ranked 1-A team in the state behind Mountain Heritage, which is the only team the Tigers have lost to this season.
Friday was set to be a huge night for both area teams, as it would've been two No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups on tap. For the 2-A boys, No. 1 Hendersonville (16-1) was supposed to travel No. 2 R-S Central (14-2), but that game has been postponed to Feb. 9 due to more ice and snow in the forecast.
For the 1-A girls, No. 1 Mountain Heritage (9-2) is still planning to be at No. 2 Rosman (14-1). On Thursday, Rosman Athletic Director Jennifer McCall said administration would make a decision by 10 a.m. Friday about whether to keep that game on schedule.
As teams gear up for the final weeks of the season, here is a look at the top five area boys and girls basketball players. Leading the way for the boys is the dynamic duo of Hendersonville senior Dwight Canady and junior Keenan Wilkins. Veteran coach Marvin Featherstone said both took on a leadership role last season but have become even better leaders this season.
"Dwight and Keenan have grown into the leaders of this team. They worked hard in the offseason and put on some muscle and added a few pounds. Their role as the team leaders has put a lot on their shoulders and they have accepted the challenge," he said.
For the girls, topping the list is the reigning Times-News Girls Basketball Player of the Year, junior Lexie Gunter. Last season she led North in three categories — scoring, rebounds and steals — and she's doing the same this season as an upperclassman.
TOP FIVE AREA PLAYERS
BOYS
1. Dwight Canady, Hendersonville senior guard: The reigning Times-News Boys Basketball Player of the Year leads the Bearcats in scoring, averaging 27.8 points per game and is second in assists with 3.5 per game. He leads the team in steals with 3.0 per game.
2. Keenan Wilkins, Hendersonville junior guard: Second on the team in scoring, averaging 25.3 per game. He leads the team in assists, averaging 3.9 per game and is second in steals (2.8).
3. Dominique Carson, Polk County senior guard: Averaging 22.2 points per game.
4. Nick Pate, West Henderson senior guard: Averaging 18.4 points per game, along with 3.1 assists.
5. Micah Pierce, North Henderson junior guard: Averaging 15.4 points per game and leads the team in 3-pointers with 29.
GIRLS
1. Lexie Gunter, North Henderson junior guard/forward: Last season's Times-News Girls Basketball Player of the Year is the only county player averaging a double double with 19.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
2. Alissa Cheek, Rosman sophomore guard: Averaging 20 points per game.
3. Olivia Overholt, Polk County senior guard: Averaging 17.6 points per game.
4. Reagan Chapman, Rosman junior guard: Second-leading scorer on the team, averaging 14 points per game.
5. India Smith, Hendersonville sophomore forward/guard: Averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: The final stretch: A look at the top five boys and girls area basketball players
