Which high school athletes could be Fayetteville's best in 2021-22?
With a wacky, chaotic 2020-21 high school sports season in the rear view mirror, August is on the horizon and another season is coming into focus. In less than a month, prep sports will be back on the calendar with what appears to be a more normal schedule for athletes throughout North Carolina. More:Cedavion Wimbley, Kylie Aldridge named Fayetteville Athletes of the Year  After South Views Cedavion Wimbley and Grays Creek Kylie Aldridge claimed Athlete of the Year honors at the Greater Fayetteville Area High School Sports Awards Show, its time to look at some other athletes who might challenge that potent duo for top honors in the 2021-22 campaign. Heres a way-too-early look at some Cumberland County standouts who are primed to make headlines this upcoming season. Davis Molnar, Terry Sanford  A multi-sport star for the Bulldogs, Molnar was close to nabbing Basketball Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year in 2021. No doubt a motivating factor for the Division I basketball prospect, Molnar will enter his senior season as one of the top hoopers in the state with a Bulldog team thats coming off a conference championship campaign. In addition to that, the 6-foot-6 Molnar is expected to once again be a favorite target on the pitch with his ability to finish headers in the box for Terry Sanfords conference-championship winning soccer squad. He averaged a double-double on the court and scored six goals on the pitch in the shortened 2021 season. With a full schedule, Molnar has a chance to put up elite numbers this year. Xavier Tubbs-Matthews, Trinity Christian  Another two-sport star in Fayetteville, Tubbs-Matthews took a step up the ladder as a sophomore for the Crusaders. Hobbled by an injury for some of his second season, Tubbs-Matthews proved to be quite the force on the football field and basketball court when he was healthy. He accounted for 10 touchdowns in four games on the gridiron as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver. In 10 games on the court, Tubbs-Matthews averaged 13 points and logged double figures in seven of his last eight games. Likely getting the keys to lead the Crusaders this season, hes primed for an even bigger year as an upperclassman. Isaiah Washington, Pine Forest  After a successful sophomore campaign for the Trojans on the court, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard looks to take things to the next level as a junior. Another player drawing interest from Division I programs, Washington has the skill set to become a star and help Pine Forest become the team to beat on the basketball court this season. In the shortened 2021 season, Washington averaged 23.3 points per game and capped his year with a 30-point performance in the playoffs. Expect more of the same from this budding big shot in the winter. Jayda Angel, Cape Fear  Angel didnt waste any time making her presence known as a basketball and soccer star for the Colts in her freshman season. As one of the best all-around players in both sports, Angel averaged 18 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.2 steals on the court. On the pitch, she led Cape Fear to its first-ever league title and scored a team-best 14 goals to rack up 29 points in nine games. She figures to remain among elite company in her final three prep seasons. Miya Giles-Jones, Terry Sanford  Giles-Jones has quickly become one of the fastest-rising prospects in the state. A double-double machine on the court for the Bulldogs, Giles-Jones has recently taken visits to North Carolina Central and East Carolina. She also has Division I offers from Northeastern and Rutgers. Giles-Jones averaged 21.1 points and 13.3 rebounds as a sophomore in the shortened 2021 season. The 6-footer will once again lead a team with state title aspirations in her first season as an upperclassman. Ajaylah Yates, Seventy-First  A rising junior for the Falcons, Yates was among the top soccer and track and field participants in her final season as an underclassman. Captain of Seventy-Firsts soccer team, Yates netted 12 goals and finished with 25 points in an all-conference campaign. She took things up a notch on the track with record-breaking performances in the Sandhills 4-A Conference. After picking up a gold medal and a pair of silver medals at the conference meet, Yates took bronze at regionals to secure a spot in the state championship. Shes on track to do even more in both sports this season. Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.