It's "Selection Saturday" in a sense, and teams are finding who and where they will be playing next week. If you have been following WRAL's coverage of the State Tournament, you have seen our weekly bracketology over the last month - well, this is not a projection, this is for real.

Take a look at the brackets, if your team isn't there, your team isn't playing. One player I spoke to last night after the Tri-8 Championship game told me that this was "do or die time. This is where the men are separated from the boys."
 
To the right side of this blogpost you will see links to every playoff bracket in North Carolina. Below are my predictions for the 4A East Tournament. Good luck to all teams as we March to March to crown a new North Carolina State Champion!

Westover vs. Lumberton
The Two Rivers Conference is tough, but I don't think Lumberton will be tough enough for the 3-loss Westover team. I'm picking Westover to beat Lumberton and advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Nick's Pick: Westover

Hoggard vs. Garner
I have had the opportunity to see both of these two teams play, and Hoggard should be on a whole different level than Garner. Hoggard is a very good team and have had quality wins all season long, including 2-wins over the power house New Hanover. Garner is from the Greater Neuse Conference, a conference that isn't as deep as some others. I think Hoggard's tough schedule will prevail, and they will march on to the second round.
Nick's Pick: Hoggard

Terry Sanford vs. Green Hope
Terry Sanford's Conference, the Two Rivers Conference, has had some decent teams come out of it. Green Hope is from the Tri-8 Conference, a top heavy conference from the Tri-8. If Green Hope can regain their confidence after losing in the first round of the Conference Tournament, and start passing the ball more than they dribble, I think they will use their height to beat the guard-oriented Terry Sanford team. The advantage Terry Sanford will have on Green Hope will be their speed. Terry Sanford's guards are very explosive, so look for Green Hope to alter their line-up on defense.
Nick's Pick: Green Hope

New Bern vs. Laney
Laney has a rich tradition of having good teams, dating back to the times when Michael Jordan played there. This season hasn't been so great for Laney though, posting a 10-15 record in the Mideastern Conference. New Bern has the advantage in this game, especially on the defensive end where they should be able to limit Laney's scoring threats.
Nick's Pick: New Bern

JH Rose vs. Clayton
Clayton, another team from the Greater Neuse Conference, has had a so-so season posting a 14-11 record. The Comets did manage to beat Knightdale, the regular season champions, but I don't think they will be able to knock off the superior JH Rose.
Nick's Pick: JH Rose

Cape Fear vs. Cary
Cape Fear, another team from the Two Rivers Conference, will be a good match up for the Imps. Cape Fear has very little height, but they do have very good guard play. Cary is an average team that plays smart. They don't have much height either, and their guards make their average team a good team. Cary has been able to pull out close games because they don't make turnovers, they pass the ball, and they use their heads. If this is a close game, I think it will play into the hands of the Imps.
Nick's Pick: Cary

New Hanover vs. Douglas Byrd
This is a no-brainer. New Hanover has one of the best teams in the state, and they will win this ball game. Sorry Douglas Byrd, you just got the unlucky spot to travel to New Hanover.
Nick's Pick: New Hanover

Seventy First vs. Pine Forest
This is one of the more intriguing match ups of the first round, and I think it will be a very close game. Seventy First's record is a little bit better than Pine Forest, and I think that's the only advantage either team will have. We'll keep a close eye on this match up.
Nick's Pick: Seventy First

Apex vs. Southern Durham
How do you get match ups like this in the FIRST ROUND of the state tournament? This should be the best game of the first round, and nothing would surprise me. Sure, Southern has a few more losses than Apex, but the Pac-Six Conference is much tougher top to bottom than the Tri-Eight is. Apex is going to have to have a much better game than they had on Friday Night, and they're going to have to get used to playing without Andrew Fiedler fast. The good news for Apex, it will be a home game.
Nick's Pick: Apex

Sanderson vs. Durham Jordan
The Sanderson Spartans surprised some people this season finishing second in the Cap-Seven Conference. The Spartans have a great coach in LeVelle Moton, and their guards know how to play with the best. Jordan has a very athletic team as well, and they will give Sanderson a fight.
Nick's Pick: Sanderson

Knightdale vs. Wakefield
One of the best teams in the Triangle this year will be hosting one of the best teams in the Triangle from last year. Knightdale is a very good team, and  they have a lot to look forward to. I don't think Coach Watkins wanted to get paired up with the defending state champions in the first round of the state tournament though. Wakefield started off rough in the beginning of the season, but Coach Partin has his kids playing good ball right now.
Nick's Pick: Knightdale

Person vs. Jack Britt
Person finished second in the Pac-Six Conference this season, and they are looking forward to a state tournament run. Jack Britt has played and beaten some very good teams this season, but after a long ride to Roxboro, I don't think they will be able to beat Person.
Nick's Pick: Person

Broughton vs. East Wake
After finishing in the middle of the pack in the Greater Neuse Conference, I don't think East Wake even knows what they're going up against. Broughton is probably the best team in the area, and they will bring it to East Wake. Expect Brock Young to have a huge game against East Wake.
Nick's Pick: Broughton

Middle Creek vs. Millbrook
Middle Creek is a lot like Apex. They have very good guard play from Kip Kelley, Garrias Adams, and Nelson Kirksey, but they also have very good play down low from Marcus Kitts. Anyone that tries to take on the Mustangs at "The Creek" better be ready for a crazy atmosphere as well. Millbrook might not know what they're in for in the first round of the tournament, and if Middle Creek wins, we could be looking at a very nice match up in the second round with Broughton.
Nick's Pick: Middle Creek

Riverside vs. Athens Drive
Athens Drive managed to knock of the Green Hope Falcons in the first round of the Tri-Eight Conference, but in the second round, they looked like the same old Jags. Athens isn't a good team. End of story. Riverside should be able to do anything and everything they want on Monday.
Nick's Pick: Riverside

Southeast Raleigh vs. Pinecrest
This should be another good match up for the first round of the tournament, and Southeast Raleigh definitely has the homecourt advantage. Both teams have lost 13 games this season, but Southeast has won three more than Pinecrest. I think this game will be close until the end, but the Bulldogs have the advantage.
Nick's Pick: Southeast Raleigh