Upcoming: Big county game

One of the most anticipated high school basketball games of the new year happens on Tuesday, January 3rd. R-S Central will go to East Rutherford for Men's and Women's action.

The Hilltoppers (6-4, 4-2 at the moment) swept the Cavaliers twice a season ago...with Josh Searcy on the team. This year, Searcy is at East Rutherford (9-0, 5-0) and they have simply been destroying teams on their schedule.

East has Juwan Blanton, Malik Hamrick, Tyrese Carson and Ryan Carson in the backcourt. Christian Walker and Stephen Archie will help Searcy on the inside.

The Hilltopers are led by a high-jumping Zyrion Wilkins and Arnie Twitty. R-S Central's backcourt includes Tyrese Tate (point guard), Jacob Knox, Chris Miller with Josh Wharton and Ty'j Cooks in the post.

Both teams feel like they have something to prove as the cross-county rivalry has heated up once again. East wants to go full throttle and Central wants to play a slower-pace defensive type of game.

On the women's side, R-S Central (9-1, 5-1) swept last year as well, but East (5-3, 3-2) got better as the year went. This year, East is the deeper team, but the Hilltoppers may have more experience with their group.

Central has only one loss and that was to Kings Mountain. Although, East Rutherford has lost three games, they haven't lost since new addition Charmee Miller joined the team.

Osha Makerson has also made a nice transition from Thomas Jefferson to run point for the Lady Cavs this season. Kendra Ross and Emily Elgin are key stars to the Cavaliers offensively. Amiyah Williams, Jordan Gray, Paris Baker and Claire Jackson all play roles at East.

The Lady Hilltoppers have Aliyah Whiteside at shooting guard and Kyra Davis in the post with complimentary players in point guard Jada Logan, Breyauna Lynch, Alina Chavez and Haley White. All of those ladies return from last years club that went 28-4, 16-0.

Central will face Burns at home after that on a Friday, while East will visit Chase that same night.

Speaking of 2017 right quick, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!