Members of the Unifour media recently cast votes in the NW 3A/4A Basketball Conference Preseason Poll. The Freedom Patriots Mens and Womens Teams were chosen as preseason favorites to capture the NWC crowns. The Freedom men earned six first-place votes, while Hickory was picked to finish second with four first-place votes. Alexander Central is picked to place third in the mens conference. Freedoms James Freeman is the top pick as Preseason Player of the Year. In womens basketball, Freedom claimed all 10 first place votes and is picked as the preseason favorite. Watauga is picked to place second, while the ACHS Lady Cougars are picked for the leagues seventh spot. Lady Patriot Blaikley Crooks is the medias Preseason Womens Player of the Year.MEN(First-place votes in parentheses)1. Freedom(6), 662. Hickory (4), 633. Alexander Central 454. Watauga335. McDowell276. St. Stephens227. South Caldwell21Player of the Year votes: James Freeman (Freedom) 5, Cody Young (Hickory) 2, Davis Amos (Hickory) 1, Jem Lowrance (Alexander Central) 1.

WOMEN1. Freedom (10), 702. Watauga543. Hickory 534. McDowell385. South Caldwell276. St. Stephens207. Alexander Central18Player of the Year votes: Blaikley Crooks (Freedom) 6, Brooke Byrd (Watauga) 1, Adair Garrison (Freedom) 1, Makenna Parkins (McDowell) 1.

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Freedom Teams picked to win NWC - Taylorsville Times