IRON
SHARPENS
IRON

Ask either of them what makes the relationship work and they both say the same thing first: everything starts off the court.

"Our relationship off the court is much stronger than on the court, which makes it so much better," Noah says. "We do everything together and it's an unbreakable bond. It builds so much chemistry which translates to the court."

Draeton describes it from the other side. "We have that relationship where if one of us needs something we will call each other, or if we just need to talk about something then we go to each other first."

That familiarity has been building for years. And the longer it builds, the more it shows up in ways that are hard to put on film.

"If I throw a jump pass, I know Noah is gonna jump up and go get it because I know he can jump," Noah explains. "Or if I give Drae a head nod, he's gonna cut backdoor. Knowing each other really separates us from others on the court."

They hold each other accountable away from basketball too. "We make sure the other is doing the right thing and keeping his head straight," Noah adds. "We are always there for one another to have each other's back."

Draeton keeps it simple. "If he sees me getting frustrated, he will tell me to chill. We just give each other encouragement."

Most ninth graders watch from the bench. These two played varsity. From day one.

And it changed them in ways that no stat line captures.

"Playing varsity as a freshman taught me how to be a dog," Noah says. "You can't go out there weak. That's why I play so physical. That's probably the biggest thing I've learned."

Draeton came away with a different lesson. "What I've learned by playing varsity is that you definitely have to put in the work if you want to compete at a high level. Getting pulled up to varsity was definitely an eye opener, but also a humbling moment."

Humbling. Not discouraging. That distinction matters more than people realize.

Draeton Nance and Noah Dulin are not only basketball players. They play football. And they bring the demands of one sport into the other every single season.

"It keeps us in shape during the offseason and helps us be more physical and able to take contact," Noah says.

Draeton adds the mental piece. "It helped by getting us stronger and preparing us for contact, but also getting us used to playing sports at a varsity level. So when we are playing basketball there are no type of nerves in a game situation."

No nerves. In game situations. As sophomores competing against 17U in AAU. That is not a coincidence. That is a result of two athletes who never let themselves get too comfortable in one arena.

There is a particular kind of player who makes the game look slower than it is. Who finds the open man before the defense closes. Who does not need to create chaos because he already understands the order of things before the play develops.

Draeton Nance is that player.

"My game has always been playmaking and just being able to slow the game down or find the open person on the floor," he says. "But I needed to add something different, so I worked hard on getting my shot right. With me being a guard and a playmaker, they get comfortable and start looking at me in tight games. That definitely helped my confidence to become a leader."

The three point shot was the piece that unlocked everything. Now defenders cannot cheat off him and also account for his passing at the same time. That combination is what separates good guards from ones college coaches remember.

His goal heading into his junior season is specific: finish number one in assists in 7A basketball in North Carolina. Not top ten. Number one.

"One thing you don't see in the box score is my hustle and how scrappy I get on defense, or diving for a ball," he adds. "That is what I want coaches to know."

The dunk gets the attention. What built the dunk is what matters.

"It's all from training," Noah says. "I do explosive leg workouts every other day. Plyometrics work, but the biggest thing is when you're lifting, make every rep as fast and as explosive as you can and it will translate."

He has been applying that principle more deliberately over the past year. The separation it has created in game situations goes beyond what any highlight reel shows.

"I've been utilizing it more this year and it really separated me from others."

His junior season goals leave no room for vagueness: lead his team to a state championship as the underdog, win conference, and average 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. Big numbers. Bigger belief.

"One thing that doesn't get shown is how I'm a leader," he says. "I set people in the right positions. Also my vibe. I'm a person that will always make you smile."

Team Pittman is young. The players who are building it understand exactly what they are doing and what it means.

Coach Josh Pittman built the program around relationships first and results second. Both Noah and Draeton describe him the same way: not just a coach, an uncle. Someone who pushes them to their ceiling in the gym and shows up for them outside of it.

"He knows what type of player I am and how much more growth I have," Draeton says. "He just pushes me to the fullest every practice, every game."

Noah puts it simply. "He puts me in all the right positions to succeed. Off the court he is family to me."

That foundation is what makes what these two are building feel permanent. It is not just two players with chemistry. It is a program with a standard.

"We have really put our name out there as a team and proved ourselves," Draeton says. "And we are gonna continue to do that. We are going for everyone."

"We have been overlooked in my opinion," Noah adds. "Now that we are getting posted and talked about it feels great. But there is still more work to be done."