I think there will be more traditional schools than just Bessemer City that will be pretty good, but the hump to get over for a traditional school to get from being a good team that can win a few playoff games to being able to beat the open enrollment schools that they'll see in the last few rounds is a huge one. Hayesville last year basically had two players that a traditional school might normally get once in a decade come through at the same time, AND they played positions that complemented each other, AND they had a supporting cast that knew their roles and did them well without trying to do too much, AND they had a great coaching staff. A situation like that is going to be rare. But if we're talking traditional schools, I'd say some others that could make some noise would be (in no particular order):
North Rowan: lost their point guard/leading scorer and their two big kids from a good team, but always talented
Northwest Conference always produces tough outs and South Stokes should bring four starters back from a conference title team.
Washington County: went three rounds deep with four underclassmen averaging double figures.
Northwest Halifax: Gave Chatham Charter their best playoff game other than the state final, and should return several of their better players, including a kid that averaged 20/10.
Mountain Heritage: new coach will have a talented 6-7 kid to build around
Thomasville: only two seniors on a really deep, balanced team that went to the regional semifinal
SMC should have a lot of parity and I could see several teams in it winning a couple playoff games based on what they should return. Murphy in particular should have a big, athletic team next year and could be tough if they can be a little more consistent. Last year's team had some really good showings against good competition, and some pretty bad showings against lesser competition.