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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record

The Davie boys have posted a winning record every year since 2017-18, and even though they will graduate their top three scorers (Elliott Erlandsson 10.1 ppg, Bryson Mickey 10, Jackson Powers 9.4), things should be no different in 2025-26 when coach Josh Pittman blends the varsity returners with JV guys like Aiden Horton, Cam Knox, William Martin and Justin Haggler.
The JV War Eagles dismantled lowly Glenn, 61-22, in Kernersville on Feb. 11. Horton scored 21, giving him 44 in two games, as Davie outscored the Bobcats (1-12) 43-13 in the middle quarters. Haggler turned in a season-high 17, while Martin and Knox chipped in eight each.
The War Eagles handled Reynolds 65-53 in the first meeting, but Noah Dulin and Draeton Nance combined for 32 points in the Jan. 17 game. With Dulin and Nance playing varsity, the Demons beat visiting Davie 50-44 in the final JV game on Feb. 14.
With Haggler, Knox, Horton, Carter Cornett and Jayce Bentley alternating baskets, the War Eagles burst to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter. They still led by seven at halftime, but the Demons controlled the second half and won going away.
Martin (11), Horton (10) and Haggler (nine) were the top scorers in the loss.
It was a very good season for the War Eagles, who finished 17-6 overall and 9-5 in the CPC. The top three scorers were Horton (12.5 ppg), Martin (6.4) and Haggler (5.3).
“When these guys are juniors and seniors, they’re going to really be able to put their imprint on this program,” Pittman, the third-year Davie varsity coach, said.
Pittman on Horton: “I think he’s a solid shooter. I think for him to be effective with what we need, he’s going to have to be a lot more aggressive on the defensive end and he’s going to have to get a little bit stronger so he can rebound the ball at the three position. If he can do those two things, I think he’ll really help us. I’ve got big hopes for him because I know he’s a hard worker. Now it’s just about polishing up and doing the little things like getting stronger, getting quicker, getting a little bit more aggressive on the defensive end, wanting to stop somebody. If he does those things, we’ll be in business because that’ll be another solid piece.”
On Knox: “I hope he comes in as a guy that’s ready to defend, that dives on the floor, that really gets after it and has the right attitude. That’s what I’ve seen from him, and I’ve seen it a little bit more now that he’s playing without Dre and Noah. He can really be that guy, especially when we’re pressing or we’re pushing up or we’re down and we’ve got to change the rhythm of the game. He’s a solid offensive player as well.”
On Martin: “Billy will be ready to play up next year just with his energy and his effort. I think his effort is unmatched on both varsity and JV. I’ve never seen a kid who can go in and can get 3-5 rebounds in a minute and a half at the varsity level as a freshman.”
On Haggler: “Billy and Justin have an opportunity to come up next year and get some quality minutes. Justin is a lethal shooter. He has been up and down a little bit this year, but he has a knack for scoring the ball. He just has to get a little bit stronger and a little bit faster, which I think he’ll be able to do in our offseason program.”
Davie 61, Glenn 22 – Aiden Horton 21, Justin Haggler 17, William Martin 8, Cam Knox 8, Edarius Oliver 3, Ian Patton 2, Weston Barefoot 2.
Reynolds 50, Davie 44 – William Martin 11, Aiden Horton 10, Justin Haggler 9, Cam Knox 4, Carter Cornett 4, Jayce Bentley 3, Ian Patton 3.