NC Grassroots Recap – More Headlining Stories

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the AAU live period now finished for the summer, it's now a good time to start recapping the grassroots season as a whole. From some outstanding squads, to some serious stock risers, to some new names we need to get eyes on, there's a whole lot to cover. The great news is, with the drop in events, we're going to be starting a new series to discuss it! This article will be covering some more overarching stories from the grassroots season across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our PrepHoops </strong><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/850/register/north-carolina-top-250-expo"><strong>Top 250 Expo (2024-2026)</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/884/register/carolinas-freshman-showcase"><strong>Freshman Showcase (2027)</strong></a><strong> are LIVE! Both are taking place in Concord in early September. Make sure to sign up using the code <em>VictorHoops2023 </em>for a discount!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>There's&nbsp;no&nbsp;better&nbsp;time&nbsp;to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <em>VICTORTAYLOR30</em>, sign up&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prephoops.com%2Fsubscribe&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cvitaylor%40davidson.edu%7C75c17a0f131541251ff408db56237738%7C35d8763cd2b14213b629f5df0af9e3c3%7C1%7C1%7C638198482777534339%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=WLa4xG5C0zJMMgiDNX%2FklbM1lZLd5UKvsEUjLE0sp7Y%3D&amp;reserved=0"><strong>TODAY</strong></a><strong>!&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] Puts Together Multiple Formidable Squads</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Triad's most notable AAU organizations made a huge splash this year, with all three of their 17U teams fielding multiple prospects that should play at the collegiate level, and more talent coming up through their younger teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Liles put together an impressive group, led by a fearsome foursome of [player_tooltip player_id='1731146' first='Cal' last='Barrett'], [player_tooltip player_id='1976851' first='Cooper' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1273282' first='Camden' last='Edmonds'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1411239' first='John' last='Campbell']. Barrett is a 6'9 wing who is long, active on defense, and is developing more of a shooting touch to go with his impressive slashing ability on offense. Jackson is one of the most physical bigs in the state, a lunch pail guy that will do anything asked of him as a paint defender, rebounder or rim runner. Edmonds is the go-to guy when their group needs a bucket with his 3 level scoring ability, and Campbell leads the press with his high motor, active arms, and an ability to play vertical and above the rim. Grayson Cathey and [player_tooltip player_id='1976855' first='David' last='Gray'] split point guard duties, with both having bright futures in their senior seasons as essential backcourt guys for their schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Patton also boasts multiple guys that should see action at the next level in [player_tooltip player_id='1411079' first='MJ' last='Edwards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1273231' first='Jalen' last='Umstead']. Edwards is a small but mighty floor general who operates out of ball screens and traffic efficiently, while Umstead is a burly post player who has really developed a jumper and expanded his arsenal to become a floor spacer. Asher Tolbert is a 2025 playing up that will attract attention from coaches due to his lights out 3 point stroke and ability to put the ball on the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Pittman, too, has a couple of interesting prospects fit for college. [player_tooltip player_id='1892439' first='Jackson' last='Powers'] is a burly, undersized 4 man who is super well-rounded with ball skills, rebounding ability, and potential to really stretch the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='2319830' first='Coleman' last='Lawhon'] is a nice combo guard and facilitator with great instincts, IQ and shooting that is continuing to develop quickly. Luke Morgan is also an interesting piece for local schools with a 6'8 frame, developing physicality and rebounding toughness that should make him viable in colleges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of these teams are superbly coached, with great teamwork and character from all the players. The [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] do things the right way, and are being rewarded with many college talents playing for them this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":2089411,"width":609,"height":761,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/image-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/image-3.png?w=820" alt="" class="wp-image-2089411" width="609" height="761" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>[program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] Liles in action this summer (ActionJacksonPhotography)</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Puts On For The 252</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] are noticeable every time they play, with flashy white and blue jerseys, but also tough, warrior-like performances. This is a team with zero forwards, just a bunch of scrappy, dogged guards that hound you all 32 minutes and make your life a nightmare. Their season started strong, dipped a little as the 5 guard lineup took some getting used to, but finished strongly towards the end of the year, with all their players buying in and playing tough basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1046006' first='Jordan' last='Vick'] leads the charge, as the smallest of the group, but definitely the best scorer. He gets hot in a hurry and isn't afraid to keep shooting when one doesn't go down. [player_tooltip player_id='1602914' first='Tyler' last='Jordan Barnes'] plays with a fire under him all the time, appearing all over the floor. Whether on the defensive glass, above the rim to throw down a poster, or pressing the backcourt, he works his tail off. [player_tooltip player_id='1145483' first='CJ' last='Alston'] is a smooth scorer in the mid-range and at the rim, plays great perimeter defense and competes hard. [player_tooltip player_id='1739830' first='Nick' last='Edwards'] is a jack of all trades, making plays, defending the post, and scoring when he's asked to. [player_tooltip player_id='1154635' first='Randall' last='King'] is more football built than basketball, but he plays much bigger than his size in the paint as a rebounder, post defender, and interior finisher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warriors Life Elite Secure 3SSB Status</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WLE is a group out of the Eastern part of the state as well, and they played well enough on the Adidas Gold circuit this year to secure 3SSB status next year, putting them in a vaunted category of teams. They've got a great stable of guards, with [player_tooltip player_id='1707110' first='MJ' last='Williams'] being one of the best. He's a smooth lefty with great vision and handles, and a knack for getting in your stuff on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1076359' first='Tyler' last='Whitehurst'] brings extreme outside shooting ability to the table on the offensive end, and another integral part of their pressing, tough defense. Their unquestioned leader on the floor is [player_tooltip player_id='1277989' first='Matt' last='Kirby']. He's got great poise and feel for the game, and just seems to make winning plays whenever he's asked. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While their three guards shine, they've got a couple bigs who make an impact on the glass and at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1743510' first='Ke'Vontae' last='Lucas'] is super physical and also plays above the rim at the right moments. They found him on many backscreen lobs over the course of the summer when I watched him, and he always made an impact when asked. [player_tooltip player_id='1440079' first='Nathan' last='Malosa'] is a legitimate floor stretching threat for them as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","id":2090038,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0nQf4MXsAMJeMR?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/image-1.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2090038" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Warriors Life Elite celebrates after winning the Adidas Gold bracket in Rock Hill (Coach Dree)</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->