Carmel Christian
Hickory Ridge
Kings Mountain
North Raleigh Christian
Carmel Christian
Charlotte, NC
Head Coach Josh Coley
NCISAA 1A Southern Piedmont League
15-9 (4-4)
Players to Watch
6’10” Senior Mac Brydon
Make no mistake about it, this is Brydon’s team. The big center has dropped about 75 pounds since the beginning of last season. He has good footwork in the paint and is an excellent passer. Most of the Carmel offense will run through Brydon in the half court. He is a high academic kid that Ivy, Patriot, SoCon, Big South schools should be recruiting and offering.
6’8” Junior John Bryan
Bryan is a new name to the scene, but is one that needs to instantly be recognized. This is his first year of organized basketball, as Bryan was home schooled. Even with how raw he is, Bryan is long, can play above the rim, and can face up and make 3s. D1s take note!
6’2” Senior Roland Whitley
Whitley is a long and athletic wing type. While a tad slender he plays with a good pace and shows upside as a SWAC or MEAC type player. Watch closely, he should lead this team in numerous statistical categories.
Others to Watch For
6’6” Sophomore Brett Swilling, 6’2” Freshman Myles Pierre, 5’8” Sophomore Rafael Jenkins
Hickory Ridge High School
Harrisburg, NC
Head Coach Robert Machado
3A Piedmont League
20-5 (14-2)
Players to Watch
6’3” Senior Avery Metcalf
Metcalf averaged 16 points on 38% from 3 and 85% from the FT line. He carries a great frame and understands pace in the half court. Metcalf is a D1 player, who should carry multiple D1 offers at this point. He is going to put up huge numbers this season, don’t wait out too long and miss here.
6’ Senior Javon Smith
Smith is a quick and aggressive lead guard. He defends for 94 feet and likes to get into the paint. The scrappy player also rebounds well for his position. Under the radar kid that makes things run.
Others to Watch For
6’2” Junior Andrew Metcalf
Kings Mountain High School
Kings Mountain, NC
Head Coach Grayson Pierce
2A/3A Conference 4 League
16-10 (10-6)
Players to Watch
6’8” Junior Josh Helton
What a difference a year makes. Helton enters his junior season as a chisled and confident big. He sprouted over the summer, and now carries solid post footwork, touch around the rim, and the ability to rebound his area. Helton is also a 4.0 student. Ivy, Patriot, SoCon, Big South schools should be living in his gym.
6’7” Senior Jacob Skidmore (Lenoir Rhyne)
Skidmore is a very unique talent. His calling card is his defense, as he averaged 1.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game last season. Although slender, he carries great timing. He is also a very good athlete, long, and has touch from the corner. Skidmore is a 4.0 student, and after he gets into a college strength program will play past his Lenoir Rhyne commitment.
6’5” Omar Petty
Petty missed a lot of time with an injury, it kept him out for half the season and all the summer. He is back now at full force and will most likely be the conference player of the year. When healthy the lengthy Petty fills the stat sheet, while defending the opposing team’s best player. Petty recently picked up an Army offer. He also carries a 4.0 GPA, Ivy, Patriot, SoCon, SWAC, MEAC, etc…schools need to look heavily here.
Players to Watch
6’ Freshman Zeke Littlejohn
North Raleigh Christian Academy
Raleigh, NC
Head Coach Eddie Rogosich
NCISAA 3A Triangle League
16-11 (4-4)
Players to Watch
6’2” Senior Grayson Kelley
Kelley is a strong and active wing. He can score at three levels and plays with the utmost confidence in himself. Kelly should put up big numbers this season and is one that colleges at the appropriate level should be camped out on.
5’7” Senior Colton Lee
Lee is one of the better shooters in the state of North Carolina. He has a high motor moving off the ball, and always seems to find himself squared and open.
Others to Watch For
6’3” Senior Drake Harris, 5’9” Junior Landon Lee
Pool Storylines
Kings Mountain Vs Carmel Christian
Accumulatively, these are two of the bigger teams in the event. Carmel Christian’s front line goes for 6’6”, 6’8”, and 6’10”. Kings Mountain front line goes for 6’5”, 6’8”, and 6’8”. A lot of what Carmel Christian does will be led by Mac Brydon’s ability to pass and post. John Bryan will get some put backs and stretch the floor with some 3s. Josh Helton will show his newfound strength and footwork in the post and Lenoir Rhyne commit Jacob Skidmore will protect the rim. Omar Petty could be the X-Factor here, but it is certainly a game that should have a slew of D1 coaches from across 5 or 6 different conferences watching.
Avery Metcalf Vs Omar Petty
Both senior wings are in similar situations. Last season they were over shadowed by scholarship guards in the back court with them. This year, it will be their team. Both players are very long and skilled. They are multiple scholarship type guys, and most likely fighting for the same scholarship offers. Look for Metcalf to put up big (and efficient) scoring numbers. While not as eye popping of a scorer, look for Petty to produce across the board. Colleges, stop sleeping on these two.
The Colton Lee Show
While he may not do it every game, something tells me there will be a game this Saturday that North Raleigh Christian Academy’s Senior Colton Lee rings of 10 or more 3 pointers. He has a propensity for getting hot, and with this team.