Greater Neuse River Conference Preview
With a couple of top teams and a wide open middle, the GNR has a ton of intriguing storylines to follow.
Preseason Poll
Preseason Awards
Player of the Year: Jake Hart - Senior - Fuquay-Varina
Newcomer of the Year: Matt Eaton - Senior - Clayton
Freshman of the Year: Darius Whitner - Freshman - Garner
Coach of the Year: Coach David Kushner - Willow Spring
All Conference Teams
Garner
Fuquay-Varina
Clayton
Clayton is led by star big man Andrew Grimes and dynamic transfer Matt Eaton. This duo looked great all fall and they should be one of the more exciting pairings in the conference. Clayton could fall anywhere from 3-6 in the conference, but we give them to edge due to their high ceiling.
Willow Spring
The Storm will be one of the most improved teams in the state after winning 4 games in their inaugural season. The loss of BJ Brooks will hurt but they have plenty of young pieces ready to step up. Viktor Alao is one of the best players in the conference and was the first player left off the first team. They should be eyeing a playoff berth in year 2 under Coach Kushner.
Southeast Raleigh
Southeast Raleigh returns more production than any team in the county. Led by Senior Immanuel McClain, Coach Graves’ squad is full of aggressive athletes. The Bulldogs have a high ceiling for this season and if 2025s Ethan Reid and Jon Robinson can break out, they should be in line for a playoff berth.
Cleveland
Cam Goins is the lone returner from one of the most dominant public school teams in recent memory. After going 30-2, Cleveland graduates 5 of their top 6 and returns a lot of questions to be answered. If the youth and inexperience punch above their age, then this team could finish in the top 3 of the conference.
South Garner
South Garner graduated the best player that the program had seen in Josh Johnson. The good news is that they bring almost everyone else back. The Titans will have to fight through a tough middle of the conference to reach their goals, but there is enough talent and depth on this roster for them to make some noise.
Corinth Holders
Corinth Holders will be led by Janiveon Guyton, an athletic wing that stuffs the stat sheet. Similar to South Garner, they are victims of a crowded middle of the conference. This team has the potential to work its way up the conference ranks, but is on the outside looking in for now.