Player movement has become extremely common in all levels of basketball, and it comes in various forms. The practice of players staying with the same high school and travel ball program throughout their basketball journey is becoming largely obsolete. It's not necessarily a negative or positive thing, rather just something we've grown accustomed to over the last few years. Accumulating copious amounts of talent has become the new norm for any private or independent program hoping to break into the national scene. Collectively, non-association programs like Combine Academy, Moravian Prep, and Liberty Heights possess more scholarship-level players than entire cities in North Carolina. That being said, The Burlington School also looks guaranteed to return to their status as one of the top teams in the state after the acquisition of Kheni Briggs.
In looking at the Spartans and how we got to this point, we only need to rewind two seasons to see the full scope of Coach Ryan Bernardi's tenure. In a 'disappointing' first season, Bernardi and the Spartans lost in the state championship after playing an incredibly brutal schedule and suffering major injuries during their playoff run. He sent a slew of guys to the next level, and then only added three more players (Jamarii Thomas, Kuluel Mading, and Shane Peterson) in hopes of correcting their mistakes. They eventually went on to finish the job in year two, sustaining their consistency and absolutely pummeling teams en route to a victory in the state championship.
Now, things are even more interesting entering Bernardi's third season at the helm. Adding Briggs honestly might be the necessary addition to make the Spartans the pre-season favorite to repeat as state champions. Zion Walker and Kobe George are both more than ready to take another step forward after strong freshman campaigns (both for TBS and Team CP3). Michael Nwoko is shaping up to be one of the top prospects within North Carolina's Class of 2023. Avion Pinner possesses so many tools and should only continue to progress over the coming months. Amare Miller is a perfect glue-guy for this group, and his production will ultimately speak for itself. Lastly, Shane Peterson is as valuable as anyone on the roster. So, what does Briggs provide'
Well, Briggs is a proven asset in every possible setting. Regardless of context, competition level, or surrounding teammates, he's consistently stood out as one of the most productive players in the state since his middle-school days. He's a strong, intelligent, well-rounded guard prospect with an extremely balanced skillset and the ability to find opportunities in any type of role. The Spartans lack shooting, and while Briggs isn't usually regarded as a knockdown threat'he's more than respectable from distance. His abilities as a ball-handler and playmaker will allow him to operate as a main creator whenever necessary. Add in his steady defense, rebounding, and all-around scoring instincts, and it's impossible to see anything other than Briggs emerging as a major piece for this squad. He currently holds eight Division I offers, but folks should expect that list to continue expanding over the coming months.