Coach Rick's Team Before Self Award
5'10 2021 Trace Forest (Pine Lake Prep)
We've had the opportunity to watch 5'10 2020 Trace Forest (Pine Lake Prep) in several settings. Whether it is travel ball, camp, or playing on his high school team, one thing is crystal clear. Trace Forest is the ultimate 'team first' player. Last summer at the David Rose Memorial Day Classic, we wrote the following. 'In many ways, Forest is one of the unsung leaders of his team (Carolina Riptide). He's a phenomenal teammate with a true team-first mindset. Forest has a non-stop motor and creates a ton of havoc with his defensive presence. He scores the ball well from all levels can hand the ball whenever necessary.' This past season, Trace Forest helped Pine Lake Prep to an 18-10 record for the 2019-20 season. He averaged 6'4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 6.6 APG and 2.3 steals per game.
In speaking with Pine Lake Prep head coach Tony Dunbar, he stated, 'Trace Forest epitomizes the ‘Team Before Self Award.' In my 18 years of coaching, he is one of the toughest (mentally and physically) kids I have ever coached. Forest is a flat-out winner. He has made All Conference, two-time Lake Norman player of the week, and Pine Lake record holder for steals as a junior).
No matter the setting, no matter the venue, every time we have watched Trace Forest, he quickly grabbed our attention. We have seen very few players over a series of multiple setting that has consistently displayed his effort, energy, enthusiasm, and motor. While Forest has the ability to score, you also know he is going to give maximum effort on both ends of the court. He's going to make plays by dishing out assists or providing a ball hawking defense. For Trace Forest, it's never about himself, but always about the team and we're proud to announce him as our Phenom All State Team Before Self Award.
