Charlotte’s First Print And Digital Magazine That Focuses On High School Athletes In Charlotte And The Surrounding Area
OVER 50 HIGHLIGHTS and FEATURES Ryan Schwieger
Devon Dotson Providence Day
Weddington
Lavar Batts Jr.
PLAYOFF PREVIEWS
JM Robinson
Blake Wilson Hunter Huss
BOYS 4A PUBLIC 3A PRIVATE SCHOOLS
TOP US PREP ELITE CAMPERS HIGH SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL
February 2017
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-Babe Ruth
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Jarius Hamilton Of Cannon High School Goes Up Over A Defender At The Chic-Fila Classic 2016 Photo By Olsen Kelley OK3 Photography
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Zion Williamson Of Spartanburg Day School Goes In For The Slam At The Chic-Fila Classic 2016 Photo By GoFlashWin
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North Iredell Competes Against SouthIredell At The R&L Holiday Classic 2016 Photo By Steph Berg Photography
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Michaela Dixon Of Butler High School Goes In For The Put Back At The CHC 2016
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Riley Berger of Charlotte Catholic With The Smooth Lay In At The CHC 2016 Photo By Rod Phifer
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4x State Champion Janelle Bailey OfProvidence Day Goes In For The Lay Up At The CHC 2016 Photo By Rod Phifer
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THANK YOU
Follow usprepathletes
Thank you in advance for reading and supporting our
7th edition of US Prep Athletes – The Magazine. We hope you enjoy our new interactive digital platform, which will allow you to read content on some of your favorite prep athletes as well as view highlights of their play and much more. These athletes and coaches work day and night to achieve excellence! And we’re thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments, dedication, and hard work both on and off the court.
TOURNAMENT EVENTS Page 6 -11
Also, please view and support our advertisers, who help us deliver dynamic content and information to athletes and parents about achieving a higher education. I also want to personally thank everyone who had a hand in preparing this issue: the writers, photographers, interns and designer. All the best,
COMMENTARY page 16 -18
Tony Pearl Publisher US Prep Athletes - The Magazine
ATHLETES ON THE RISE Page 19
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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS page 32 & 33
ATHLETE HIGHLIGHTS page 35 - 43
MR. BASKETBALL OF THE US PREP ELITE CAMP BLAKE WILSON Page 44
US PREP ATHLETES FEATURE STORIES
DEVON DOTSON PAGE 20
LAVAR BATTS SR PAGE 22
JAYLAN MCGILL PAGE 27
Editor and Publisher US Prep Athletes Magazine - Tony Pearl * Sports Writer - Jemal Horton (Contributor) * Sports Writer - Emmanuel Morgan (Contributor) * Writer – Jori Benton (Intern) *Writer - Jamila Freelain*Writer – TJ Tolbert for Samaritans Feet *Writer – Joe Benet for JoeTutorBenet * Website Writer – Cayla Ifill (Intern) * Graphic Designer – Shamika Satterthwaite *Photography – Rod Phifer For CHC *Olsen Kelley for OK3 Photography *GoFlashWin for CFA Classic *Steph Berg for Steph Berg Photography *Steve Lyons for Photography* Website – www.usprepathletes.com * Social Media – USPrepAthletes * Email – usprepmagazine@usprepathletes.com *Advertise Contact 704.560.1430 * Reproduction In Whole Or In Part Without Permission Is Prohibited. US Prep Athletes Magazine Is A Subsidiary Of Ambassador Interactive Media.
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U About
US Prep Athletes are standout leaders on the field and/or court and they strive for excellence within the classroom. They often demonstrate a strong yearning and keen interest towards their favorite sport by practicing longer and working much harder on their game than their peers and competition. As an organization we have built many age-specific programs that will help promote and cultivate their unique sports and academic talents and skill sets. Several of these top athletes will be featured in US Prep Athletes The Magazine.
US Prep Athletes The Magazine is Charlotte’s and the surrounding area premier print and interactive digital magazine. We feature highlights and in depth stories of high school athletes who have risen to higher levels within their playing abilities and inside the classroom. In addition, US Prep Athletes The Magazine covers local coaches, business and community leaders who have dedicated themselves to a worthy cause.
We publish full content, specialty issues and tournament guides through both print and digital platforms.
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How To Use Our Interactive Digital Magazine: Each US Prep Digital Magazine issue will feature a plethora of media content on select pages throughout the publication. When a user loads certain pages the publication comes alive with video content and interactive media. These efforts offer the reader with a unique and one of a kind experience.
Prep Vote: Periodically we will publish online polls for our readers to vote on such topics as; Which athlete should be featured on our cover, best overall athletes and favorite coach. These polls are meant to be interactive and fun and we welcome your participation.
Commentary: Each of our issues feature commentary on particular topics in education, testing, scholarship attainment and nutrition and exercise by some of the area leading experts and opinion makers. We encourage you to read through this material as it’s been specifically curated to help develop and advance the knowledge of student athletes and their parents.
Advertisers: In addition to the athletes, coaches, and parents our advertisers are also hero’s because they have invested in our brand so that we can bring you this content. Overall our advertisers are meticulously selected and targeted because they have some level of products and/or services that fit nicely with the prep market and in which you can take immediate advantage. We encourage you to view their offerings and patronize their business as you are afforded the opportunity.
How To Purchase Individual Print Copies: Visit www.usprepathletes.com to purchase individual print copies and inquire about US Prep Athletes magazine subscriptions. FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 15
PhilanthropY GIVING BACK By TJ Tolbert Sports Marketing Coordinator With Samaritan’s Feet tjtolbert@samaritansfeet.org
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his phrase, stated by one of the most iconic athletes of all time exudes the importance of giving back. If you take a step back and look at the things you have in your life, do you really have it that bad? There are those who struggle everyday to find the bare necessities to survive and many of us worry about keeping our phones charged. I work with athletes, coaches and teams every day who see these struggles and try to find a way to give back those less fortunate. They see the importance for not only those receiving the blessing, but the importance of using their athletic platform to give back. As a former athlete, there was nothing better then seeing the eyes of someone you’ve never met, light up just from your presence.
receiving and the ones givings life is the testimony of Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers Running Back. Starting 5 years ago in his home town of Olympia, Washington he has given over 2,500 pairs of shoes to the local neediest children in his community. Through doing this, it’s allowed him to engage, love and understand every young person that idolizes him. He washes their feet, preaches love & positivity and gives everyone a brand new pair of shoes. He knows his impact in his community and he does whatever he can to give back to the area that stays so close to his heart.
W I’ve seen the greatest joy from the teams and players that serve because they realize the impact they have on others. Why not use the blessing of your athletic platform off the court or field to impact someone’s life?
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o give you a real life perspective into how an act of giving back can change the person
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hat I challenge you to do today is use your platform, find a way to give back and encourage those around to give back with you. Giving back is all about action. What will be your next action to help change the life of someone less fortunate than yourself?”
GIVING BACK
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room her on Earth” - Muhammad Ali
SAT/ACT PREP By Joe Benet Test Prep Consultant, Coach, Confidence Builder joetutorbenet.com
One of my go-to quips in life as I stand dumbfounded in the grocery store aisle trying to pick out a single item is, “If you don’t want that many choices, go to Cuba!” True, choices are good, but they do cost us the effort of deciding. As if the college application process isn’t complicated enough, you also need to choose between two admission tests: the ACT® and the SAT® If you are one of the “lucky” high school graduates, your top school choices will require one or the other. For the rest of us, the struggle continues. If two exist, one has to be better than the other, right? Take comfort. While there are subtle, structural differences— which means there could be different outcomes— statistically, whatever you score on one, you will score something close on the other . Schools publish score ranges for both tests. The ranges are determined from studies that the ACT and SAT creators collaborated on several years ago. Even with the scores for new SAT, schools convert that score to the former version, then compare to their tables to get an ACT equivalent. Ah, but these stats indicate only how the majority did. Maybe you will beat the odds and be stronger on one, so here are some differences to consider. First, the format for the ACT’s English section (SAT’s writing section) and reading sections are very similar—but have a marked difference in pacing, especially for reading. The ACT gives you about seven minutes to complete a passage, compared to the SAT’s nearly eleven minutes. To compensate, the overall ACT reading difficulty level is lower.
minute, twenty-three seconds . Also, some students may cringe at part of the SAT’s math section: the “No Calculator” torture gauntlet portions. Finally, the ACT has a dedicated science section, which is not actually about science facts; it is about reading tables and charts, and following the logic of the experiment. The SAT scatters these types of questions throughout the other sections.
SAT ACT PREP
EDUCATION
So, can you tell from those differences if you’ll score higher on one versus the other? If you want to take both, go ahead, and then send both scores. Conveniently, most schools typically do the comparison for you and consider only your strongest. However, if you absolutely must choose, use your personal preference and aptitude of quicker and easier, or slower and tougher. Make time to prepare by taking practice tests of each and compare. Seriously, it’s that simple, and you can do it for free. Shut yourself in a quiet room for about three hours on different days—a Saturday and Sunday are great—and treat each practice test like a dress rehearsal. Use the Concordance Tables (see link below) to see if you score stronger in one. If you try this approach, make sure you take the two sessions close together, that you take them in conditions as similar as feasible, and that you don’t prep in between. And don’t grade the first and try to correct mistakes before the second. That’s not the point. The point is to see if you have a natural affinity toward one. No matter the outcome, you may choose to save the time and effort of studying for two tests. Either you’re strong in one, so you’ll take it, or you’ll score very similarly in both, so you are free to choose. It’s a win-win strategy for you! Go to www.usprepathletes.com for more information and practice tests.
The same applies to the mathematics section: the ACT is perhaps slightly easier but doesn’t allow as much time to answer: one minute per question vs. the SAT’s one FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 17
COLLEGE PREP By: Jamila Freelain Author of Free Money for College http://www.ewcollegeprep.net/
5 Considerations for Student Athletes College is an experience that you’ll never forget. For most people, college means being out on your own for the very first time. And learning to make serious adult decisions comes with that. Even as early as middle school, it’s a great idea to begin thinking about the colleges you may want to apply to. When it comes to college planning, preparation is key—whether you are the first in your family to go to college or a third-generation student athlete. Here are four essential steps to help you to become more prepared for college life. Consider what you want. Four to six of your most formative adult years could be spent in college. It’s up to you to discover what really makes you happy and what brings you the most satisfaction. Do you want a school in state or out of state? Do you want a public or private school? Big or small? Country campus or city? Do you want to be near the epicenters of sportscasting? Would you like to go into professional or collegiate coaching? Do you want to work in sports entertainment? Do you want to have your own business such as a sports clinic for kids? Consider what you need. Look at the colleges that will best serve your goals. If you need helping paying, what scholarships are available? Will you need tutoring or something else to help you before applying? Who in your life can help you work through the application and decision processes? If you had 18 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
a scholarship and got a career-ending injury, are there other courses you are interested in? Would the school still let you retain the scholarship? Consider how you can stand out. If you’re a student athlete, ask someone to capture some footage of your games to create your own highlight reel. A great highlight reel can lead to wonderful scholarship opportunities and options that you would not otherwise have. Consider the school’s reputation. Among the elements to base your selection on are the school’s academic and employment track records. Try to determine whether the school is going to position you for where you want to be when you graduate. For example, if you want to be a sportscaster, find out if the school has a journalism or communications department. Consider which Division the school is in, and think of the possibilities beyond that. Do you have aspirations of going pro? Very few people actually can go pro in sports, so do some research about how many of their student athletes went semipro or pro. You deserve to have the best possible college experience. Help make that happen!
COLLEGE PREP
GIVING BACK
Free money for college
US Prep Future Elite Middle School 2016 Camp - Stand Outs
Athletes On The Rise Glen Bynum Jr.
8th Grade
Concord 1st Academy
Glenn Bynum Jr. won the MVP award of the fall 2016 US Prep Future Elite Middle School Camp. Glenn plays the game with poise and confidence and has a high IQ for a young man of his age. With a soft touch around the rim and strength when attacking the basket. We look forward to watching his continued growth and maturity and all the things the future has in store for this young man.
Elijah Metcalf
8th Grade
Hickory Ridge Middle
Elijah Metcalf won the award for the Most Outstanding Player of the fall 2016 US Prep Future Elite Middle School Camp. When Elijah Metcalf hits the floor simply put he turn heads. His presence, court vision, awareness and IQ is at this moment light years ahead of most of his peers within his age group. Just like his peers around him we’re anticipating a very bright future for this young man in the years to come.
Tony Waters
8th Grade
Morehead Stem Academy
Tony Waters won the Most Spectacular Player award of the fall 2016 US Prep Future Elite Middle School Camp. Tony dazzled us with his camp performance and it didn’t take us long to discover why some of his past accolades have included MVP of his middle school team and MVP of the Rick Lewis Phenom Camp. We are looking forward to Tony becoming one of the top athletes in the Mecklenburg County area and possibly beyond someday.
Malachy McGuirt
8th Grade
Castle Heights Middle
Amare Hayne
8th Grade
Kannapolis Middle
Malachy McGuirt received several bids for MVP of the fall 2016 US Prep Future Elite Middle School Camp. Malachy excells with catching passes off the break and finishing with ease as well as with put-backs and he soaks up the boards on both ends of the floor. Keep your eye out on Malachy he is a special young man who has tremendous upside. We’re looking forward to watching him grow in the sport in the years to come.
Amari Hayne garnered recognition from many of his peers as one of the most outstanding players at the US Prep Future Elite Middle school camp. Amari has incredible bounce and does a tremendous job of creating space to get his shot up over taller defenders. We’re all going to be keeping an eye out on this young man and we’re looking forward to his growth and development in the years to come. FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 19
“Without him we lose our go-to guy whose motor is always going 100 miles per hour.“ Providence Day
DEVON DOTSON By Emmanuel Morgan
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rovidence Day head basketball coach Brian Field didn’t pull any praise when he explained what junior point guard Devon Dotson means to the team. Some coaches would’ve said cliché’s about “the next man up mentality.” Others may have said they would simply find another way to win. But for the Chargers, Field said Dotson is too vital to lose. “If you take a top 50 player off any team, it will have a major effect on them,” Field said with a chuckle. “Without him, we lose our go-to guy whose motor is always going 100 miles per hour. “ Throughout the shifty guard’s life, his motor has always chugged forward— both on and off the court. Before transferring to Providence Day and winning a state championship last season, Dotson and his family moved from Chicago to Charlotte when Dotson was in the sixth grade. Growing up in the Windy City bred Dotson into the basketball player he is today— one that has coaches at North Carolina, Southern California and Villanova salivating over him with scholarship offers. The blacktop playground primed Dotson to easily average 16.6 points and 4.6 assists last season. When he stepped foot on Providence Day’s campus he was ready to contribute. “Just going into Chicago and playing the other guards got me better,” Dotson said. “They are scrappy and they play hard. It was really competitive.” Dotson said his family’s situation in Chicago wasn’t the best, but it was one that didn’t evoke him to succumb to the constant headlines of shootings and crime that constantly plague the Illinoisan city. He said his family decided to move to Charlotte to provide more opportunities for everyone involved. So far, it hasn’t disappointed. Though Providence Day— a
prestigious private school renowned for its education and campus— is different from Dotson’s Chicago school, he said the transition has been seamless. Now in his second year at Providence Day and placed in a position of leadership, Dotson said he wants to keep adjusting to his new surroundings while fostering his love of basketball— something that has remained constant in his nomadic life. “I think I’ve worked at it cautiously, almost every day, perfecting my craft— a lot of shots up, a lot of ball handling, a lot of in game situations— and I’ve gotten stronger over the years and I’m starting to evolve into the next level type of player,” Dotson said. “Just being a leader and just running the offense and helping my teammates out the best way I can.” After the confetti was swept away last year, Dotson inherited a team that graduated a significant portion of senior talent and leadership. But instead of coasting through the regular season, Field inked a competitive schedule including national powerhouse Hamilton Heights of Tennessee. In state, the Chargers will also play tough opponents in Wesleyan Christian and Greensboro Day. For Providence Day to be
“I’m starting to evolve into the next level type of player” competitive, Field says Dotson has to be their lightning rod. But for Dotson, that is a challenge he will happily accept. “I think it will be great year,” Dotson said. “A lot of people our counting us out, but with our competitiveness and being able to run up and down the floor, I think we’ll be fine. My role is to lead and be that second couch on the floor and put the guys in their spots and orchestrate the offense. And when the team needs a bucket, I can go get it and be that spark.” Field said Dotson plays the game “emotionless,” as if he doesn’t care if he scores a sensational bucket or commits a careless turnover and moves on to the next play. But even though he is only junior, Dotson said he is approaching this season with the mentality of senior. He said there is no reason why his team can’t see success— and he’s going to do everything he can to make it happen. “Whenever I step on the court, if I shortchange myself for one game, that can have a big effect on the season,” Dotson said. “So when I play every game this season, I’ll play it like it is my last.” FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 21
The Story Behind the Glory: Coach Batts overcomes challenges to achieve life goals By C. Jemal Horton The enthusiasm on the Jay M. Robinson sidelines is palpable each time the Bulldogs boys basketball team takes the court. There is uber-energetic jumping. There is high-fiving, fist-pumping and repeated cries of encouragement. Whenever a Bulldog squares up to launch a 3-pointer, a single voice can be heard screaming, “That’s good!” long before the ball has left the player’s hands. It’s not a player, student or parent leading the cheers; it’s the team’s head coach, Lavar Batts Sr., who doubles as a de facto Robinson cheerleader. Batts Sr.’s sideline energy can be a bit alarming to those attending a Robinson game for the first time. There is a story behind Batts Sr.’s glory. It’s the type of story that, far too often, ends on the familiar track of hopelessness, joblessness, an overall life of ruin. It’s the story of a young boy who never really got to know his father until he was a grown man because of the time his father spent in prison, the story of a young man whose hoop dreams were forced to the backburner after he became a teenage father. The New York Times reported that studies indicate that having an incarcerated parent “doubles the chance that a child will be at least temporarily homeless and measurably increases the likelihood of physically aggressive behavior, social isolation, depression and problems in school — all portending dimmer prospects in adulthood.” But Lavar Batts Sr. wouldn’t become another statistic, even if others who began on the same path he did ended up that way. He has become the anti-statistic: a degreed family man and a difference-maker in the community. “I had to grow up fast,” Batts Sr. said. “But I am blessed. I have a wonderful wife who is truly my partner, two awesome kids and my dream job. “Times were tough for a while, but I believe it made me the man I am today.” 22 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
THE REALITY OF FATHERHOOD Batts Sr. was midway through his 12th-grade year at Wilmington’s Hoggard High when he became a father. He was a point guard known for his flashy style of play when his then-girlfriend, Starr, a cheerleader at a school in another town, gave birth to Lavar Batts Jr. on Christmas Day. Batts Sr. had grades good enough to get him into college, and he was talented enough on the hardwood to play basketball when he got there. With Starr’s mother, Ann-Marie Hemingway, and his mother, Alverais Fisher, willing to help Starr care for Lavar Jr., Batts Sr. headed to Barber-Scotia College to conquer the world. A year later, Starr also matriculated to Barber-Scotia, giving her mom and Fisher the main responsibility of raising Lavar Jr. Halfway into Batts Sr.’s sophomore year, he and Starr received a phone call. Hemingway and Fisher had news. Fisher still was raising Batts Sr.’s two younger brothers, and Hemingway had to care for Starr’s younger brother. Their plates were full. It was time for Lavar Jr. to move to Concord with his young parents. “It was an eye-opening experience for me,” Batts Sr. recalled. “It got to the point where both of Lavar’s grandmothers were saying, ‘Enough is enough. It’s time to man up. We know you love basketball. We don’t mind the school part, but you’re going to have to get your son up there to start taking care of him.’ “It bothered me at first because I had such a passion for basketball, but I knew it was definitely time for me to grow up. I had a young son who needed to be around his dad.” That winter, Batts Sr. left the Barber-Scotia basketball team, and he and Starr moved into an off-campus apartment with Lavar Jr. “It was a struggle,” Starr said. “When everyone else on campus was hanging out and having fun, we were trying to juggle all that. We did what we had to do. We had to rely on each other a lot more. It was just me, him and Junior. There was no more calling home and asking mommy for anything. But we had each other.”
THE GRADUATE
Having the responsibility of caring for his son on a full-time basis did not mean Batts Sr. was going to neglect his academic duties. It actually made him more focused, more determined than ever to get his college degree so he could be in a better position to provide for his family. To make ends meet, which included rent and Lavar Jr.’s daycare costs, Batts Sr. worked second shift Monday through Friday at a home for developmentally challenged children. Meanwhile, Starr worked weekends at Ryan’s steakhouse. Neither Batts Sr. nor Starr missed a semester while they were working and raising their son. Finally, in 2002, Batts Sr. earned his degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. He became the first person in his family to graduate from college. “It was definitely an accomplishment that I always wanted,” he said. “It was definitely rough, but I didn’t want to start something and not finish it.” It’s a lesson he’s passed on to Lavar Jr., who now is a nationally recognized senior point guard playing for his dad. “I’ve tried to teach him that you can’t quit on anything,” Batts Sr. said. “I came here to get my degree. It bothered me that I couldn’t play basketball, but it showed I was maturing. It showed that I was becoming the man and the dad that I needed to be.” Batts Sr.’s words haven’t fallen on deaf ears. “My dad is my role model,” Lavar Jr. said proudly. “No matter how he’s feeling, he always works hard. He always tells me, ‘Don’t let anything just fall into your lap. If you want it, you’ve got to go get it. And even if you get it, the work doesn’t stop – keep working.’” Batts Sr. and Starr are living testaments. In 2003, Starr also graduated from Barber-Scotia and in December 2013 Starr earned her master’s degree from UNC Charlotte. While she was the one who spent countless hours studying, she gives her husband credit for helping her take up the challenge. FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 23
“I couldn’t have done it without him encouraging me and supporting me not to settle for my bachelor’s,” Starr said. “Whenever I had homework or needed to study, he took care of things. We’re a team. When I shine, he shines. When he shines, we shine. When I put out things on my Instagram, it’s #TeamBatts, because that’s what we are. Team Batts is him, me and our children.”
FULL OF ENERGY When Batts Sr. is on the sidelines coaching the Bulldogs he doesn’t try to hide the fact that he’s happy. When one of his players hits a big shot, Batts Sr. often celebrates by showing that he still has a pretty good vertical leap. After everything he’s seen in all of his years, he feels he has a reason to shout. “When I’m on the basketball court, I feel like I’m in a safe haven,” he said. “I’m just excited and happy. I get excited to see us work on things in practice and then implement them in the game. I always tell them, ‘Guys, if you match my energy, we’ll be good.’” After the games, however, Batts Sr. often has sweat as profusely as his players. “He’s very passionate about what he does,” Starr said. “He’s not living through the kids, but he’s trying to pull the best out of them. If he gets hyped, they get hyped; if he’s Mr. Doom and Gloom, they’re going to feel doom and gloom. He knows they feed off his energy. “Even when the game is over, win or lose, we come home and watch the game all over again. Once we get the kids settled for school the next day, he and I are in the bed watching film of the game like we didn’t just watch it live. He’s saying, ‘Oh, my God! This should have happened! That should’ve happened!’ We’re taking notes. That fire that he has, I love it. I absolutely love it.” Starr knows her husband has a reason to cheer loudly. According to studies, 80 percent of males who become teen fathers do not marry the mother of their child. Furthermore, teen fathers are less likely to earn high school diplomas, let along college degrees. Batts Sr., though, puts the statistics to shame. Starr begins to tear up as she talks more about her husband, who, to this day, still works a second job to help provide for his family. “Lavar has always worked hard to take care of us,” she said. “Some dads make the choice to do whatever it takes, and he has. After everything that’s happened, he has succeeded. When we took Junior when we were in college, he was like, ‘This is my son. Whatever I need to do to take care of him, I’m going to do it.’ He’s done the same thing for our family since then. “He is indeed my knight in shining armor.” Jemal Horton is the Sports Editor for the Independent Tribune, Concord NC. This article was originally published by the Independent Tribune on Jan. 5, 2015 In 2016 J.M Robinson won the 3A NCHSAA State Basketball Title Lavar Batts Jr. has committed to VCU to extend his educational and basketball talents
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“Clean water changes everything.” An unacceptably large amount of people in the world are in need of clean drinking water. With your help, we can better the lives of people all around the globe that suffer from the day-to-day war against unsanitary water. Please visit www.globaloasisproject.org & start saving lives today.
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J AY L A N M C G I L L ' S PEACEFUL JOURNEY
By C.Jemal Horton
In those early years of his basketball life, when 6- and 7-year-old Jaylan McGill would essentially motor around the court and hope for something good to happen, it was pretty good times.
Back then, McGill mostly was happy just to be on an AAU team with his buddies, as those United Stars and Cabarrus Stars rosters included players that have gone on to become familiar names in local basketball circles: the state’s No. 1 player in the Class of 2017, Lavar Batts Jr. of Concord Jay M. Robinson; top-50 player Austin Nelson of North Henderson; highly touted Concord First Assembly Academy big man Amiri Waddell; and Butler football and basketball standout D.J. Little. McGill had his moments back then, even playing a role on a United Stars team that finished fourth in the nation. But overall, it was humble beginnings. very humble. “I wasn’t one of the best players,” McGill recalls. “I was fast, quick, and I knew how to make layups, but
I didn’t really know how to score yet.” McGill, now a senior at Olympic High School, chuckles a little when he makes that statement. Perhaps it’s because, these days, McGill’s somewhat known as a serial scorer: a powerfully built 6-foot3 guard who can light it up in a hurry, whether he’s using his athleticism to blow past defenders and finish at the rim or stepping beyond the arc – waaaaay beyond the arc at times – and raining in butter-soft jumpers that lift the Trojan faithful to its collective feet. Or maybe, just maybe, McGill chuckles about his early offensive shortcomings because he knows the circuitous nature of his basketball journey. It’s a journey that saw McGill transform from a shy kid who once was content just to have a uniform into a gifted player who refused to be satisfied with “pretty good.” It’s a journey that saw him leave home at age 16 in pursuit of his hoop dream and return the following year, on the heels of an unspeakable loss, a young pillar of strength who also had become one of the best players in the state. More important, it’s also a journey McGill knows he won’t have to take alone. That’s because he has a strong-will mother at home and a father who, even in death, has never left his side. BALL IN THE FAMILY Throughout his elementary-school years, McGill continued to play the sport his father, Jeff, introduced to him. The camaraderie with his friends and the winning his team enjoyed appealed greatly to him. Still, McGill admits, the game was frustrating at times because he wasn’t the player he wanted to be. That changed as he entered middle school and FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 27
his father had a lot to do with that. The name Jeff McGill carries a lot of weight among basketball aficionados. Jeff had been a star player at Independence High in the 1980s before going on to play at Wake Forest, Eastern Kentucky and, eventually, professionally overseas. After his playing days, Jeff returned to the area and became a firefighter. But he never was far from the hardwood. “He used to play in the 40-and-over league, and I used to go with him,” Jaylan said. “And everywhere we went, people would say he was so good.” Jaylan laughs. “I had to believe it, because there were so many people who said it,” he concedes. “I wanted to reach the level that he reached. That made me work harder.” Jeff also opened his own gym and trained scores of athletes before taking on his most cherished pupil: his son, Jaylan. With Jaylan preparing to enter United Faith Christian Academy as a sixth-grader, Jeff’s training with the boy intensified. They would spend hours working on the finer points of the game, the things that would help the reserved Jaylan to burst out his shell – find his basketball voice, if you will -- and leave his role-player days behind. During those grueling workout sessions, Jeff would fill his son’s ears with messages. “He always used to tell me to use my legs and let it come to me,” Jaylan recalled. “He used to tell me to be confident in my shot because it was going in nine times out of 10 when I shot it. “I was always shy, so it was hard for me to do some of those things on the court at first.” And as is the case with most player-coach and father-son relationships, there were some tough times early on. “He was tough on me,” Jaylan recalls. “He used to yell -- all the time. I used to get mad. I used to not want to play sometimes. But it helped out. I started to get better and better. “Eventually, I was able to handle the yelling a little bit more. I was older, and I was getting good. I 28 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
started to get some recognition. I was able to understand that he was only trying to help me be the best player I could.” Jaylan played well as a sixth- and seventh-grader at United Faith, a program led by former Charlotte Hornet Muggsy Bogues, and his reputation around the city began to grow. However, Jaylan’s mother, Lisa, wanted him to eventually play at Olympic, his southwest Charlotte “home” school, when he eventually got to high school, so he transferred to nearby Kennedy Middle for his eighth-grade year. It was around that time that Chris Hemphill, a coach with the Team Charlotte AAU organization, first encountered McGill. “He used to be very, very soft-spoken; he didn’t say much at all,” Hemphill said. “And then as he got older, his personality started to come out.” His game continued to flourish, too. From the time he was extremely young, Jaylan used to play Jeff in one-on-one match-ups. Jeff, ever the competitor, never allowed his son to win. But by that eighth-grade year, Jeff didn’t have much say in the matter. THE PUPIL HAD SURPASSED HIM “I got faster and faster and better and better,” Jaylan laughed. “He couldn’t beat me. After a while, he wouldn’t ask to play me one-on-one anymore. We would just have shooting contests.” By the time McGill enrolled at Olympic, he was viewed as a rising star. In his freshman season, he played on a highly regarded team that featured current Ohio State guard C.J. Jackson. Then, as a 10th-grader, McGill became the Trojans’ secondleading scorer, behind only future Western Kentucky signee Damari Parris. For his junior season, McGill and his family thought he was ready for a new challenge. One place, Winston-Salem-based charter school Quality Education Academy, was especially interested in McGill, and the move to the basketball-focused
school looked appealing. But Jaylan was a little hesitant. In the spring of Jaylan’s freshman year at Olympic, Jeff had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Leaving home at such a critical time didn’t initially seem like the right move. But after learning that Jeff was responding well to chemotherapy and had a good prognosis, Jaylan felt more comfortable. With somewhat of a heavy heart, but with the support of his mother and father, he was off to Winston-Salem. AN EDUCATION, ON AND OFF THE COURT McGill’s first time away from home was tougher than he expected. He missed Charlotte and his parents like crazy. “I used to call home all the time,” he says. “My mom used to call me every day.” Additionally, he had a tough early adjustment period to Quality Education Academy, which
boasted a roster laden with talent, including top-100 national recruit Deshawn Corprew, a 6-5 swingman who shunned Kansas and LSU to sign with Texas A&M. “That was tough,” McGill said. “I was playing with some of the top kids in the country. When I first got there, it was like, ‘Everyone’s good, so you had to work every day for your spot, because it could be taken at any time.’ “Practices were tough,” he continued. “We would go to the weight room before practice, then practice for two hours, then scrimmage. After practice, we would either go to the weight room or work out on individual skills.” Nonetheless, while still worrying about his father and getting acclimated to a new city and basketball existence, McGill’s game took off. He was a top performer for the Fighting Pharaohs last season, seemingly hitting career milestones each time he took the court. Meanwhile, Jeff, whose condition was worsening, let people know how proud he was of his son. Jeff knew none of this was easy for Jaylan, and he was happy to see those years of sweat equity paying off, admiring his son persevere. “My junior year went really well for me,” Jaylan said. “I got stronger, faster. I learned how to score. It helped me a lot.” And despite the nearly 100 miles of interstate between them, Jeff was always there to dish an assist to his son. Emotionally anyway. “I could hear him when I played,” Jaylan said. “Like in the first half, if I wasn’t shooting so good, I’d be sitting in the locker room thinking about stuff he said. I would use my legs coming back out, and I would start to shoot well. It helped me a lot.” But shortly after the season ended, on April 12, 2016, Jeff’s valiant bout with cancer came to a tragic end. He was dead at age 52. The city, which had participated in fund-raisers for Jeff’s treatment and offered emotional support to Lisa, mourned along with the family. Jeff’s passing FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 29
was a loss for everyone who’d ever encountered him, not to mention many more who never met him but heard of his plight through various media outlets. But it hit Jaylan especially hard. He had lost a friend, a coach and, most important, a father who sacrificed everything for him. “I can’t even put it into words how tough it was,” Jaylan says softly. His strong voice trails off. Meanwhile, those who know Jaylan said he was the picture of strength during the difficult time. “I lost my mom and dad, so I know how it is,” said Hemphill, who coached Jaylan on Team Charlotte 16U team. “That kid, he handled the situation. I’ve never seen someone so calm, so composed. When everybody in his family was down, Jaylan stayed firm and kind of lifted everybody else up. He didn’t beat himself up. I think he knew his dad was in a better place. “He was very proud of what his dad accomplished and what his dad taught him,” Hemphill added. “His dad really taught him skills that he needed to be successful in life while he was here on this earth.” HOME AGAIN Lisa McGill decided it was in her son’s best interest to play his senior season back in Charlotte, and Jaylan also didn’t mind coming home. He wanted to be closer to his mother during such a difficult time in their lives, plus he embraced the opportunity to finish his high school career with his old pals at Olympic. Just as he has at all his previous stops, McGill has excelled. McGill has come in and been an anchor for coach Barrington Terry’s Trojan squad this season. At press time, McGill was Olympic’s only double-digit scorer, averaging 12.9 points per game. In the process, he led the team in steals (2.0) and ranked second to promising junior Marcus Henderson in assists (2.7). His mother has been there every step of the way, cheering him on from the Olympic stands or going out of her way to make road trips. And Jaylan has reciprocated, using his broad shoulders for 30 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
his mother to lean on when she endures her own emotional difficulties of losing Jeff. “We’re really close,” Jaylan said. “We talk about (Jeff), and that helps us both a lot. I feel like I have to be strong for her. If we’re good, I know she’s good. And that’s important to me.” The maturation of McGill’s game also has been noticeable to many. In the latest Phenom Hoop Report rankings, McGill is listed at No. 23. College coaches have been circulating. Thus far, he’s received scholarship offers from North Carolina Central, Maryland Eastern Shore and Lees-McRae. Bigger programs, including the Charlotte 49ers, have been following him closely. It’s all a testament to McGill’s willingness to be coachable, which all began in those steamy gyms with Jeff raising his voice from time to time. “Jaylan always has been a good shooter, but there were times he was very streaky, so he had to refine his game,” said Hemphill, who also is director of NCPrep.com’s Elite Guard Showcase. “Jaylan spent countless hours in the gym with his dad, just working -- working on his one-dribble pull-up, working on getting his ball-handling to a point to where he didn’t lose it. “He worked on being an overall player, not just a shooter. He worked on balance, making sure that he didn’t get beat on the ball when he was defending. He really struggled early defending the ball because guys were a lot quicker than he was. But as he got older, got strong and got in the weight room, his game really started to excel.” There have been rough nights, though. But unlike before, when he lacked confidence, he knows what to do to do remedy the problems encounters. “I’ve changed a lot,” he said. “I feel like I matured a lot during that year I was away, became more of a leader.” But he also leans on his patron saint – his father. Even though it’s been nearly a year since his passing, it seems Jeff has never left his son’s side.
Jeff’s voice resonates through Jaylan virtually every time he takes the floor. “Use your legs.” “Let it come to you.” “Be confident in your shot.” “Do what you have to do now so that you can do what you want to do later.” Each time McGill makes a mistake on the court or feels like giving up when things get rough, he hears the words echoing. They are therapeutic, lasting, empowering. “I’ll always remember those things,” he said. “Not just the basketball stuff, but everything I taught me. I will take them with me for the rest of my life.” And once again, Jaylan McGill gives a soft, reassuring chuckle that lets you know that his journey, wherever it takes him, almost certainly will have a happy ending.
“My junior year went really well for me,” Jaylan said. “I got stronger, faster. I learned how to score. It helped me a lot.”
Jaylan McGill Olympic High School c/o 2017 UNCC Recruit
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The first round of the NCHSAA begins on Tues
Conference regular season champions and conference tournament champ
The remaining field will be determined by an at-large process based on the best 22 game winning pe excluding 2009. Here’s a look at some of the 4A team results in the state final game and a fresh look at some of the loca of some of the leading 3A NCSIAA Teams.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2010
2011
Beat Westover 68-65 In State Finals
Lost to Wakefield 45-43 In State Finals
Lost to New Hanover 39-35 In State Finals
Beat Apex 72-63 In State Final
Beat Terry Sandford 63-49 In State Finals
Beat Millb 78-69 In S
SouthWestern 4A Ranked #1 team in the state by independent scouts for much of the season, this could be the year for Butler. Zane Rankin has been spectacular all season long.
CISAA 3A Cannon has the talent to content for a title this year and is led by Jarius Hamilton who is on high major recruiting boards.
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CISAA 3A Charlotte Christian hasn’t tasted a championship since the 2000-01 season and BJ Mack, fresh off a championship run at Charlotte Catholic could very well bring the momentum to this team this year.
Southern Piedmont 3A In one of the most competitive conferences in its class, Cox Mill will be looking to make it back to the state playoffs and move past the regional semi-final where as last year they lost to 3A State Champions JM Robinson. Cox Mill is led by one of the most talented Sophomore’s in the nation, Wendell Moore.
Southwestern 4A Independence last won a state title in 1997 and if Temple recruit Justyn Hamilton and talented PG, Shea Johnson, have their say things could change this year.
Southwestern 4A North Meck was very poised to win the states last year until the reigning champions, Catholic Cougars, pulled off the upset. You can rest assured the seniors on this year’s team haven’t forgotten about that lost. Senior PG Vaud Worthy and freshman sensation Tristan Maxwell is seeking to go all the way this year and bring home the crown.
sday February 21st for 64 teams in each class.
pions automatically qualify for this year’s state playoffs.
ercentage. Since 2005 a Mecklenburg County or surrounding area team have reached the 4A state final game, al 4A and 3A area teams who may have a chance of bringing home this year’s crown. We also include some highlights
brook State Finals
2012
2013
2014
2015
Lost to New Hanover 67-56 In State Finals
Beat Broughton 56-53 In State Finals
Lost to Apex 62-59 In State Finals
Lost to Garner Magnet 70-64 In State Finals
SoMeck 4A Olympic flew under the radar for half of the year however for anyone who has watched this team play simply can’t deny their defensive tenacity and athleticism. With a great blend of senior leadership in Jaylan McGill and Jordan Chambers don’t be surprised if you see this team as the last one standing this year.
CISAA 3A Providence Day is the CISAA 3A reigning champs led by arguably the best backcourt in the state in Devon Dotson and Trey Wertz. If they can pull some of the other pieces together they could be the first area team to win back to back states since Charlotte Latin accomplished this feat in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 season.
Southwestern 4A 6-0 gets a team the crown and if there’s a team that could get on a run during the playoffs it could be this Rocky River team. They have all of the pieces including one of the top freshman in the country, Jaden Springer.
South Piedmont 3A JM Robinson is the reigning 3A state champions and are led by VCU commit Lavar Batts Jr. After playing in one of the most competitive conferences in their class it will be curious to see if their interconference competition has made them stronger or weaker. If stronger, expect this team to defend their crown in this year’s state playoffs.
2016
Beat Cary 49-46 In State Finals
Mecka 4A Vance’s Cam Hamilton can go from 0 to 40pts – real quick and along with Justin Freeman and Marcus Neal this team could prove to everyone that this is their year they shock the world.
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In Time By Tony Pearl
*Dedicated To Those Within The Sports Community Who Have Lost Love Ones
Time a place where dreams are born and fulfilled. Time a place where happiness, joy and sorrows dwell. Stand still in time long enough and you will feel the heat from the sun to the fall and winters chill. The seasons past through time like it’s hunting for something. Leaving behind scattered debris of fond memories and a few silver coins of growth. Meet someone and after only one day, it’s like you’ve known them all of your life. That’s time the master illusionist, The ultimate photographer, The leader of movements. People pray their love will remain with you until your end, but in time there’s no ending. In an attempt to hone in on your power Man divides time up In years, months, days and even to the very second of each hour. Your memories shower our countenance and conversation. The mystery of your tomorrow gives us hope and courage. So today we can decide on how we will use and remember time, And how we will treat each and every person we meet and… Faithfully we know we will see those we love again, In Time. 34 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
Nine Random Questions with Zane Rankin The Butler Bulldogs finished their regular season 24–0 with an outright Southwestern 4A season championship. They are so fundamentally sound, they force their competitors to pick their poison. Press them and they will use their superior guard play to break down your defense. Pack in a zone, and they will kill you with multiple shooters from beyond the arc. They can beat you with an ugly game in the 40's or with a high-octane game in the 80's. And just like many great teams, this team doesn’t care which player gets the glory, at the end of the game—their collective goal is to win. Each player has a role to play, and if this team were body parts, Zane Rankin would be the heart. He helps to regulate the flow of the game with his consistent, steady offensive and defensive tenacity and with his leadership on the court. I caught up with Zane midway through the season for a quick Q & A. . .
Tony P: When did you start playing basketball? Zane Rankin: When I was five years old. I started off with Queen City Thunder. Tony P: What is your biggest inspiration when you step on the court? Zane Rankin: You have to get after it and give your best effort on the court. My momma always tell me before I go to school: "Just give it your all. Everything you do, just give it your all." Tony P: Tell us about scoring 1K points? Zane Rankin: Coach [Myron Lowery] mentioned it to me, and I needed about 15 points to reach 1K. We were playing against Rocky River, and that game I had 31 points to reach 1K. I’m just blessed to reach it. Tony P: How did it feel when you reached 1K? Zane Rankin: It felt good, and I thank God—that’s who I thank first for all of my accomplishments. Tony P: What are the goals for the rest of season? Zane Rankin: I’m looking for a state championship. We have a lot of team bonding and chemistry on and off the court, I love this group of guys. Tony P: Tell us about your college outlook? Zane Rankin: Lander just felt like home to me, the coaches . . . the team . . . it was all good, it just felt like a good choice for me. Tony P: Is it tough to focus on completing high school knowing college is right around the corner? Zane Rankin: I’m just focused on this high school career right now, and when college comes I’ll be prepared. Tony P: What do you plan to major in? Zane Rankin: Sports and Exercise Science. Tony P: Kids who are looking up to you and want to have the kind of success you’ve had in high school: what must they do? Zane Rankin: Every day you just got to work at it. Work on your craft. Work on the things you’re not good at.
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charlotte catholic Trey Kloiber Is Jumpin’ jumpin’ By Tony Pearl, Publisher, US Prep Athletes–The Magazine
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here’s no denying that the Charlotte Catholic High School’s Cougars’ smooth, velvety offensive sets are at times run so efficiently, it could get my 67-year-old cousin wide-open for an uncontested layup. While that’s impressive in its own right, most prep hoop fans would agree with me that the real magic happens when the Catholic Cougars warm up before the game. You will discover many of the athletes displaying their leaping abilities by rising well above the rim and gently releasing the ball through the net, like they’re dropping a soft pillow on a mattress. It doesn’t take long before you notice #11, Trey Kloiber—who just seems to defy the laws of gravity each time he gets near the rim. During warmups and throughout the game, this “Dominque-like” leaper becomes his own human highlight reel. In December 2016 we caught up with the 6'2" junior guard, who has jumped on our radar as one of the top athletes in the area. Tony P: Tell us who you draw inspiration from in your game. Trey Kloiber: I’m a big Kyle Korver fan and I’m a big Jeff Green fan. I like Kyle because of the way he shoots. And he plays pretty good defense, too. I like Jeff Green because he is 100% every game. Tony P: Is that like your game? Trey Kloiber: Yeah. I try to give 100% every time. Tony P: Everyone knows you can shoot, but you can also jump. So when did the jumping thing start happening for you?
then
Trey Kloiber: I was at the YMCA in the 9th grade playing pickup with friends. And I kind of got up there. Then I just kept jumping, and by the end of the 9th grade I was dunking. And in the 10th grade I was dunking in games. Tony P: Has your vertical gotten better since then? Trey Kloiber: Yes! Tony P: Really? If you keep on the way you’re going, you’ll be able to jump over the dang rim someday! Trey Kloiber: Yeah, it’s getting better. Tony P: What do you attribute your vertical leap to? Trey Kloiber: Well, my mom played high school basketball [in Durango, Colorado]. Tony P: When you think about life after the Catholic Cougars, what comes to mind?
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Trey Kloiber: I wanna play college basketball someday—yeah, college ball, that’s for sure.
weddington
“The Focus and Inspiration of Ryan Schwieger” By Tony Pearl, Publisher, US Prep Athletes–The Magazine
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yan Schwieger is no stranger to accomplishments. The senior Weddington High star was an All- Conference selection as a sophomore, Southern Conference player of the year, and second team All-District his junior year. And in December 2016 after a one-point victory over Monroe High, he eclipsed 1,000 points for his high school career. “It feels great [achieving 1K+ points] because I’m playing for a great coach [Gary Ellington] and a great program, and have been playing with some really good teammates over the years. . . . I knew that if I worked hard all three years that I had, I knew it was possible.” Working hard isn’t all Schwieger does, as he’s been known to play all five positions on the court, and he’s absolutely deadly beyond the arc. And . . . it doesn’t hurt being 6'6". The smiling Schwieger told us he hit a “mean growth spurt” when he went from 5'10" his eighth-grade year to 6'4" his sophomore year. And it was during those years that he decided it was a good time to give up soccer and focus primarily on basketball. The focus has paid off because several months before the 2017 season began, Ryan announced he would be headed to Princeton University. “The academics was a big factor, then the [connection I felt with] the coaches, and I went up to meet the team, and I had a good connection with the players I would be playing with.” Many athletes would be satisfied with having checked off every major accolade on their high school bucket list. But according to Ryan, there’s still some unfinished business to accomplish in the season: winning a conference title and a 3A State Championship. Ryan admits that to win it all will take a total team effort—and that’s the reason why he’s so focused. “On the court my biggest inspiration comes from my teammates. We try to win every possession, one play at a time.” FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 37
Ardrey Kells Wes Morgan The North Florida Commit On Balancing Academics and Basketball
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By Jori Benton, Student-Intern, Nations Ford High
es Morgan started playing basketball with a small recreation league when he was six years old. He said “eighth grade year going into ninth I had a 37-point game with 11 three-pointers. I decided I had a chance to do something great with my abilities and god’s gift and from that moment on I wanted to become great”. When Morgan knew what he wanted to do in the future, he focused on achieving his dream. “After middle school I decided to separate myself from everyone else. I wanted to become an elite player other than an average player like I was. I got into the gym and decided that’s what I wanted to do”.
Now a senior in high school, Morgan has a busy schedule balancing his academics and basketball. “Weight lifting during second block, then I come home at one o’clock and get some shots in before I go back to school at 2:30pm. Then I have weight lifting with the team and more shots. From 7:00pm to 8:00pm I practice ball handling then from 8:00pm to 9:00pm is post work and individual ball handling”. Balancing his academics as a student athlete, Morgan says, “It’s difficult at times but I’m able to do it. I must set aside time to study and do my work. But with Coach Craft at Ardrey Kell we have study hall in the locker room and get our academics done before basketball, that’s how you get to college and stay in.” In May Morgan committed to the University of North Florida where he will major in Business Management. “It’s the number one 3-point shooting school in the country and it’s a perfect fit for me as a man and a player because I can thrive there. That’s my biggest accomplishment.” Wes Morgan was asked what is his advice to other athletes that look up to him and want to take it to the next level. “Don’t listen to what other people are saying when they say that you’re not good enough to do something because you can. At one point, I was that kid when I was told I’m not good enough or I don’t have the abilities like other people do. That just made me want to get better and pursue my craft and get in the gym.” His additional advice to other athletes, “Get on the football field if you play football or the soccer field if you play soccer…. Just do what you possibly can to get better.”
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ROCKY RIVER jaden springer
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Is Young, Talented & Gifted By Tony Pearl, Publisher, US Prep Athletes–The Magazine
he Charlotte streets were buzzing in mid-August when word spread that upcoming freshman Jaden Springer ranked as one of the top athletes in the Class of 2020 would be attending Rocky River High School for the 2016–17 school year. The 6'2" Springer transferred into the Rocky River Ravens program from Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee, where he averaged 19 points a game including a mesmerizing pair of back-to-back, 33-point game performances both wins. Those early achievements may seem run-of-the-mill for any highly touted athlete . . . until you consider the gifted Springer accomplished those feats as an eighth grader on varsity. Last month Jaden participated in the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team mini-camp, which invited 56 of the nation's top high school players to the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, designed to familiarize players with USA Basketball. Jaden is unlike many freshman afforded the opportunity to play varsity because he has the basketball IQ, strength and consistency to help his team throughout the game especially down the stretch. The talented Springer told US Prep he embraces all of what comes with the territory. “I don’t look at it as pressure. I just use it as motivation. People ask me to do big things, and that’s what I’m trying to live up to . . . my expectation is to give it my all and be all that I can be.” Expectations of big things started with inspiration from his father, Gary Springer (a former McDonalds All American, Iona University star and 1984 NBA draft pick of the Philadephia 76’ers) and brother Gary Springer Jr. (Iona University 2004–2009). And then continued with four Ravens’ teammates and stars in their own right sophomore guard Raquan Brown, senior Anthony Salley, junior guards Mickey Maddox and Marcus Evans who have positioned the Ravens’ basketball program to make a deep run in the state playoffs. “They all seem to feed off each other,” said Keith Hill, a special contributor to US Prep Athletes - The Magazine. The man-child Springer led the Ravens’ program in scoring with 22 points per game this season.
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york prep high dj burns The DJ Of The Books, Basketball And Music By Jori Benton, Student-Intern, Nations Ford High School
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j Burns is a unique, 6’9” sophomore center at York Prep High School. On the court he is a true post player and total team player. He moves the ball around looking to get his teammates involved in the game. Outside of playing basketball, he plays four instruments including the saxophone in his school band. Over the years he has played a plethora of sports but he mentioned to us, “I just love basketball.” Being a student, musician, and athlete leaves a small window of time to study and commit to the books. However DJ mentions, “If I have to stay after school for a game or something I’ll find a quiet place to study. Before I go into the gym I make sure all my work is done.” Often talented athletes are bombarded with interest from college programs and for DJ he is already thinking about his future. Burns currently has over 10 scholarship offers from various Division 1 programs and with such a bright future waiting ahead in basketball or music - Burns states, “My plan for the future right now is one thing, basketball." His advise to other athletes is this, “Work hard in everything that you do. Don’t stop working because there’s always someone waiting to take your spot.”
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U S
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A T H L E T E
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2016-17 Top HS Womens Players-Seniors
ARIANA NANCE
JANELLE BAILEY
MAHALEY HOLIT
BREAKING DOWN ARIANA:
BREAKING DOWN JANELLE:
BREAKING DOWN MAHALEY:
A 5’9 Senior, Ariana, is the engine that makes her Ravens team go. You will not find a more silky smooth player in all of Mecklenburg County and her skill level is off the charts. For rising girls athletes you should make it a point to meet her and ask her about her training regiment, that’s if she is willing to share her secret training recipe. Or maybe it all stems from her pre-game rituals. Before a game you can find Ariana listening to music or saying the Lord’s Prayer. Ariana always likes to sip on an iced caramel frappe from McDonalds before her games begin. She calls it “Effective.”Maybe that’s her recipe for her offensive scoring outburst of 35pts against previously unbeaten Ardrey Kell on Nov. 29th and the many 20 + point games throughout this year. Maybe it’s the way she juggles her athletic and academic schedule.Ariana mentions,“It’s hard juggling academics and basketball but you have to know your priorities.”
If there is such a thing as a social order in basketball then the 6’3 Janelle is indeed the alpha female of the basketball court. Her leadership is incredible and you will find her directing her teammates demanding greatness from them. She has achieved just about every major accolade any high school star can achieve and her accomplishments should be celebrated and remembered as one of the all-time greats who has graced the courts in Mecklenburg County. It’s never easy achieving greatness and Janelle mentions there’s been some struggles along the way. “It’s sort of hard distinguishing yourself from the rest because Charlotte has a lot of talent and then the whole United States and a lot of us are trying to stand out from the rest and sometimes that doesn’t work so I just stick to what I do whether on the court or off the court and just representing girl basketball the best, by trying to reach the top.”
Proving that big things come in small packages Mahaley states, “Well, I’m not really scared of a lot of people,” she said in an interview with the Independent Tribute during her sophomore year. “..I think it comes from my height and people saying that my height is going to bring me down because I’m not as tall as other point guards. I think I do just as much as other point guards do. My height doesn’t matter, so I attack as hard as I can.” This year she has erupted for 30 points or better four times and is currently Central Cabarrus all-time leading scorer of the girls program.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
COLLEGE OUTLOOK:
COLLEGE OUTLOOK:
Multiple time Maxprep player of the game. Scholarship recipient.
COLLEGE OUTLOOK: Ariana will attend Elon University in the fall 2017.
42 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
All Conference, All State, Ranked #4 ESPN Nominated McDonalds All American, 3x NCISAA State Champion, USA Basketball U17
Janelle will be attending UNC in the fall
Central Cabarrus All Time Leading Scorer
Mahaley will be attending Hampton University in the fall 2017.
U S
P R E
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A T H L E T E
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2016-17 Top HS Womens Players-Seniors
MAYA CALDWELL BREAKING DOWN MAYA: Maya is a 6’0 versatile guard who is extremely athletic and finishes plays off the dribble as well as she’s gifted with a soft touch in her jumper. She’s such a quick-leaper and super active that she constantly creates havoc on the defensive end of the floor. This season Maya is averaging 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals per game. As with all of the top players in the area, Maya is extremely driven and determined to win each time she steps on the floor. In the back of her mind we’re sure she wants to end her high school cutting down the nets in the state championship, coming close to winning the elusive crown in 2014 and 2016. When it is all said and done she will go down as one of the all-time great women athletes to come out of Davidson Day.
McKENNA HAIRE BREAKING DOWN McKENNA: The 5’10 McKenna is a very confident off-guard with a scorer’s mentality and who can finish in traffic. She is also a threat beyond the arc with a smooth stroke that prompted her skills to be recruited by just about every major college conference in the country. McKenna is also a very successful studentathlete and sports a grade point average of over 4.0 inside the Myers Park IB Program. McKenna Quote: “My hustle and drive for success just comes naturally. I’ve always strived to be the best at whatever I’ve done and enjoy making myself better every day.”
ZARIA WRIGHT BREAKING DOWN ZARIA: Zaria Wright is what you can call a baller’s baller. Simply put she gets busy as soon as the ball is tipped displaying her vast array of offensive skills. Zaria is a left-handed off-guard that bring a confident stroke to the arc; physical off the dribble, drives and attacks, finishes plays in traffic. Many times in her high school career she has erupted for over 40pts in a game, she has a plethora of 30pt games and is a consistent 20pt scorer. A look at her accomplishments below should leave no doubt about the imprint she will leave on the Concord First Assembly basketball program. If you are a fan of high school basketball do yourself a favor and catch Zaria in the NCISAA STATE TOURNAMENT which begins on February 14.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
COLLEGE OUTLOOK:
COLLEGE OUTLOOK:
COLLEGE OUTLOOK:
USA Today 1st-team All-North Carolina in 2016 NCISAA 2A All-State in 2015
Maya will be attending Georgia University in the fall of 2017.
2x State Champion, All-Regional Championship Team, Participated in the USA 16U Team Trials.
Committed to Princeton
Metrolina Conference Player Of T:e Year (2016), Led the Mecklenburg surrounding counties in scoring at 26.1 points last season, Over 2500 Pts In High School Career, 28x Max Prep Player Of The Game
Zaria will be attending University of Toledo in the fall 2017
FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 43
The King of The Court
Blake Wilson C/O 2018 Wing/Forward
Hunter Huss HS Team Loaded US Prep Elite Exposure
On October 16, 2016 – close to 70 athletes was on hand to showcase their basketball skills, compete and learn life lessons from the camp speakers. Blake Wilson of Hunter Huss High School was named Mr. Basketball of the Camp. US Prep caught up with Blake on a few quick thoughts about his growth as a basketball player as well as expectations for the season (playoffs.) US Prep: We first saw you in 2013 at our US Prep Future Elite Middle School camp and now your game has blossomed, what are some of the biggest changes you’ve made since middle school? Blake: I remember being in the eighth grade I wasn’t all that good, I was getting cut from teams and I was losing a little bit and feeling like I wasn’t good enough and I was a little bit down on myself. So what I did I had a long talk with my parents and they said put in some work. We had a Y membership and my mom told me make sure you push yourself all the time run on the treadmill, put up 100 to 150 shots – even a thousand shots, do whatever it takes. US Prep: What game do you try to emulate Blake: Lebron James US Prep: What are your expectations for the season (playoffs?) Blake: Main goal is to win a state championship, get better and do this as a team not as a self thing, lets win this championship as a team.
“Blake can do it all he can handle the ball, shoot the three and can get in the post” Steve Crawford, Prep To Pros – ESPN Radio Charlotte 44 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
NEXTUS RANKINGS
Fall High School Exposure 2016 Stand Outs
JaHari Guthrie
C/O 2017 Camp Rankings Senior *6’2 – Guard *Bessemer City HS – EA Prep
JaHari is a natural leader and can get to the cup and has really developed his jump shot.
C/O 2017 Camp Rankings
Cam Hamilton
Senior *5’11 – Guard *Vance HS – Charlotte Nets
Cam can go zero to 40pts really quick. One of the best in Mecklenburg County.
Jacob Lee
C/O 2017 Camp Rankings Senior *5’10 – Guard *Mount Pleasant
Jacob is an explosive guard that can get to the cup with ease.
C/O 2017 Camp Rankings Senior *5’11 – Guard *Vance HS – Charlotte Nets
Marcus is highly skilled and a true natural athlete. Plays hard at both ends of the court with a good basketball IQ. He has a natural motor which will benefit well at the next level.
Trel McLean
C/O 2017 Camp Rankings Senior *5’11 – Guard *Bessemer City
Trel is deadly from 3-pt range and he demonstrated his range at the camp.
C/O 2018 Camp Rankings
Junior *6’2 – Guard *Olympic High School – Team Charlotte
Marcus controls the flow of the game and is money from 3pt range. Has really developed his game.
Blake Wilson
Marcus Neal
Marcus Henderson
C/O 2018 Camp Rankings Junior *6’6 – Forward – Hunter Huss – Team Loaded
Blake was Mr. Basketball of the camp. He got busy on anyone who guarded him.
C/O 2018 Camp Rankings Junior *6’4 – Guard *Olympic HS
Jalen Harris
There’s athletes with athleticism then there’s Jalen he has another gear.
FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 45
NEXTUS RANKINGS
Fall High School Exposure 2016 Stand Outs
Ricky Council III
C/O 2018 Camp Rankings
Junior *5’11 – Guard *Northern Durham
Ricky Council III is an offensive assassin, he can get busy from any spot on the court.
C/O 2019 Camp Rankings
Sophomore *6’5 – Forward *Indiana Land HS – Upward Stars
Shamon plays strong and has a score first and clean up the glass mind-set.
Shamon Alston
C/O 2019 Camp Rankings
Zane Haglan
Sophomore *6’0 – Guard *South Iredell HS – Mooresville Magic
Zane is super talented and is prepared to compete each time he enters the gym.
C/O 2019 Camp Rankings Sophomore *6’3 – Guard *Rocky River HS – Team
Raquan is solid guard who controls the rock with an assist first mentality.
John Bean
C/O 2019 Camp Rankings Sophomore *6’2 – Guard *East Lincoln HS.
John plays the game with fierce intensity and can shoot the long ball and get to the cup.
C/O 2019 Camp Rankings Sophomore *6’3 – Guard *Northwood Temple
Trevor is very assertive and his motor never stops on both ends of the floor.
Ricky Council IV
Trevon Jackson
C/O 2020 Camp Rankings
Freshman *6’1– Guard *Northern Durham – Charlotte Select
Ricky Council IV had a phenomenal camp and was one of the top athletes in his class.
C/O 2020 Camp Rankings Freshman*6’4 – Guard *Olympic HS – Charlotte Nets
Josh is very talented and can see over the defense very well, nice touch around the rim.
46 FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes
RaQuan Brown
Josh Banks
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FEBRUARY 2017 • US Prep Athletes 47