Northwood forward Drake Powell and Seaforth guard Gabby White earned all-state honors from the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association for the 2023-24 season.
The NCBCA released its all-state teams on March 24. Powell made the boys’ first team, and White made the girls’ third team.
Powell, the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference boys’ basketball player of the year, had himself a stellar, all-around senior campaign. The McDonald’s All-American averaged 17.7 points and career-highs of 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this winter to help achieve his second NCBCA all-state selection.
His notable performances from the season included a 29-point, 13-rebound double-double in the season-opening win against North Moore, a 25-point outing against North Salem (Oregon) in the Capitol City Classic, a 30-point, 12-rebound performance to beat Richmond at the John Wall Invitational and a 22-point night in the 2A east regional semifinal at Farmville Central — Powell’s final high school game.
After four seasons with the Chargers, Powell is taking his talents just a few miles up the road to Chapel Hill to play for North Carolina.
White, also the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A girls’ basketball player of the year, had her best season as a scorer, averaging a career-high 17.2 points on a career-high 50% shooting clip. The junior finished the year with five straight double-doubles in the state playoffs, including two 30-point performances against Louisburg in the first round and North Pitt in the 2A east regional final.
This is White’s first NCBCA all-state selection.