UNCP Team Camp Recap: What We Learned

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On Thursday morning we dropped in to check out the talent at UNC-Pembroke annual team camp which featured over 20 teams from NC and SC. Teams competed in five different pools, followed by a two-minute single elimination playoff tournament to decide the 2023 Team Camp Champion.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A Dominant Showing from Wayne Country Day</strong>! Although they lost one of their top performers due to graduation, they showed that they will be a dangerous team this year with several returners and a new addition in [player_tooltip player_id='2127718' first='Jaelen' last='Solomon']. They defended at a solid level, played the game at a fast pace and showed flashes of what they can potentially be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The New Life Monarchs have reloaded</strong>! With the loss of four starters due to graduation, one would think that the Monarchs would be in a rebuilding year but they return several players as well as some new additions via transfer. Throughout the day they showed the potential of what they can be, especially when they lock in on the defenisve side of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cary High will be a team to watch</strong>! One of the most fundamentally sound and well coached teams that you will get the chance to see, this group will only get better as the season get closer. They knock down shots from outside, move well without the ball and defend at a good level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lumberton may be young, but they compete as hard as any</strong>! The Pirates lost their top four performers to graduation and will be a very young group, but we love how hard they compete. They don't take plays off on either end of the floor and seemed to play with more confidence as each game passed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laney HS is another team to watch out for</strong>! They are a younger group, but they compete, are well coached and don't back away from any challenge that they are faced with. The combination of size, toughness, and some talented Guards, they will be a team that could make some noise when the season arrives. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->