This week on the Pearl Report podcast. (Podcast link at the bottom)
We caught up with Coach Aaron Brand, Head Coach of Vance High School shortly after they won the NCHSAA 4AA Regional Finals. Vance has advanced to the State Finals and will face Wake Forest, Friday 12.14 at Duke University.
We also interviewed Cox Mill athletes Cody Cline, Caleb Stone-Carrawell as well as Head Coach Jody Barbee after their defeat of Trinity Christian at the Bojangles Bash.
During that tournament we also spoke with North Meck’s Tristan Maxwell, Demar Anderson and Chris Ford.
Lastly we talked with Brian Rosefield (AD-Ridgeview) about the Bojangles Bash.
US Prep Fast Break 11-29-18 – 12-8-18
By Tony Pearl
Vance (football) vs. Myers Park – 12.8 @Mallard Creek
In 2014 Vance lost to Charlotte Catholic in the state semifinal game.
In 2015 Vance lost to Charlotte Catholic in the first round of the state playoffs.
In 2016 Vance lost to Greensboro Page in the state semifinal game.
In 2017 Vance lost to Charlotte Harding in the state semifinal game.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines perseverance as;
Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition: the action or condition or an instance of perseverance.
In 2018 Vance defeated Myers Park 21-13 to advance to state final game.
Hats off to the entire Vance program for their continued effort and perseverance.
Nation Ford vs. North Meck / Trinity Christian vs. Cox Mill / Liberty Heights vs. Oak Hill @ Bojangles Bash
The Bojangles Bash played in Columbia S.C. featured Charlotte area teams; North Meck, Cox Mill and Liberty Heights.
Nation Ford vs. North Meck – 12.8 @ Bojangles Bash
The North Meck program is showing no signs of slowing down after losing ESPN Top 100 recruit Jaelyn Withers to transfer. The Vikings used an inside and outside offensive attack and defensively controlled the boards by a 40 to 31 margin which edged out the Falcon’s opportunities to keep the game within reach. North Meck applied multiple defensive schemes which in turn kept the ball out of hands of Zeb Graham who has been on fire this season including a 37 point outing against Lancaster High School. Tristan Maxwell (NM) shot 33 percent from beyond the arc and finished the contest with a game high 28 points. Point guard Demar Anderson(2020) controlled the pace of the game and dished out five assists. Chris Ford (2021) and De’Drick Givens (2019) finished the contest with 10 rebounds a piece.
Special Notes: Nation Ford’s Malik Bryant shot 50 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free-throw line and finished with a team high of 15 points and seven rebounds.
North Meck’s Tristan Maxwell, Demar Anderson and Chris Ford are all ranked within the top five in the NextUS Rankings report for their respective classes. Nation Ford’s Shaman Alston is ranked as the No.3 prospect in the NextUS Rankings report for the 2019 class.
The NextUS Rankings report measures and ranks athletes who have attended the US Prep Elite Exposure camps.
North Mecklenburg (NC) 80, NationFord (SC) 50
NF: Smith 6, Ben Burham 10, Alston 6, Malik Bryant 15, Heckaman 2, Zeb Graham 9, Heath 2.
NM: Givens 6, Chris Ford 16, Anderson 8, Artis 2, Tristan Maxwell 28, Williams 6, Waters 3, Dagon Stewart 11.
Trinity Christian vs. Cox Mill – 12.8 @ Bojangles Bash
Prep hoop fans got a chance to see these two state championship title contenders face off in a much anticipated match-up featuring high level division one recruits. Early in the contest Trinity Christian sent a message by double teaming Duke signee Wendell Moore. That message was received by teammate Caleb Stone Carrawell (UNCC commit) who exploited Trinity’s defense with his offensive tenacity as he racked up buckets, going for a game high – 23 points while shooting 62% from the field. Trinity Christian’s Greg Gantt (Providence commit) owned the third quarter showcasing an offensive array of dunks and mid-range jumpers which helped the Crusaders erase a nine-point deficit heading into the fourth. Late in the fourth with Trinity up by two, Cox Mill’s Cody Cline came up with a steal and crucial basket and Wendell Moore’slate free throws sealed the victory.
Special Notes: Trinity Christian plays in the NCISAA 1A class and is the alma mater of Dennis Smith Jr. (NC State, Dallas Mavericks.) At first look they have all the pieces to bring home the “chip” this season. Cox Mill competes in the NCHSAA 3A class and is seeking to become the first team to three-peat as state champions in the 3A class.
Cox Mill despite popular belief isn’t a one-dimensional team. Caleb Stone Carrawell, Khalid Davis, Cody Kline, Malcolm Morgan and their entire supporting cast are as good as they come and major contributors to this team.
Cox Mill (NC) 81, Trinity Christian 78
CM: Baruti 6, Wendall Moore 16, Cody Cline 10, Khalid Davis 15, Caleb Stone-Carrawell 23, Sedergren 2, Morgan 7, Propst 2.
TC: Burt 9, Greg Gantt 18, Damrieae Horne 15, Talton Jones 15, Marshall 8, Ginyard 9, Wright 4.
Olympic Trojans vs Independence Patriots (Reigning 4A State Champions) –12.4.2018 @ Independence
Coach Preston Davis (I) and Coach Baronton Terry (O) are state championship winning coaches and their players brought the prep hoop fans in attendance an early Christmas present with their championship mindset and tough nose play. Early in the first quarter Independence jumped out to an eight-point lead which proved to be the biggest difference in the outcome of the game which was decided by only two possessions. Division one prospect, Josh Banks (2020), kept Olympic in the game with his outside shot and put backs and led all scorers with 26 points. Charles Bryson III, three-point stroke helped mount a fourth quarter comeback for Olympic but the Big I executed down the stretch and got big buckets from 6-foot-6 Tyler Harris (2019) when the shots mattered most.
Special Notes: Keep an eye out for Anthony Allen (2020) who gets our vote for sixth man of the year thus far. A probable starter on most programs he is instant offense and will be a major factor in Independence’s overall court success this season. Deonte Randolph (O) had several huge dunks and in our estimate his recruiting should pick up some during this year. US Prep Elite standout Omarion Bodrick (I) contributed seven points in the contest and will be relied upon to increase his production as conference play starts.
Josh Banks is currently ranked as the No.5 prospect in the NextUS rankings (2020).
Mallard Creek vs. Butler – 11.29.2018 @ Butler
The Butler Bulldogs used a crushing press and deep rotation to keep the Mallard Creek Mavericks off balance and out of rhythm. Butler’s Raquan Brown (New Orleans commit) led all scorers with 29 points and Brayden Dixon (2019) emerged with a career high of 28 points. Could this be the year Butler break through the semifinals and reach the state finals? They are a sleeper team with strong guard play and will depend on 6’6 Rajuan Conner (2019) to control the paint on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.
Special Notes: Butler will face off against Independence on Jan. 8, 2019 at Butler. US Prep Elite standout 6-foot-2 Justin Taylor (MC-2021) erupted for 31 points against Concord High School but was held in check by the Bulldogs stifling defense. He finished the contest with 11 points.
Raquan Brown is ranked as the No. 4 prospect inside the NextUS Composite Rankings (2019).
Justin Taylor is ranked as the No. 5 prospect for the 2021 class, NextUS Rankings.
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