PH North Carolina Top 250 Expo: 2025 Primetime Performers (Pt. 1)
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Nearly 100 of the area’s premier high school basketball players throughout the state and region converged on Cox Mill HS in the Charlotte suburb of Concord as they continue to sharpen their skills with the regular season looming. This year’s…
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Continue ReadingNearly 100 of the area’s premier high school basketball players throughout the state and region converged on Cox Mill HS in the Charlotte suburb of Concord as they continue to sharpen their skills with the regular season looming.
This year’s Prep Hoops North Carolina Top 250 occurred at the home of the Chargers – a school that saw its boys basketball program claim back-to-back 3A state championships at the conclusion of the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Other events occurred in South Carolina, Minnesota, Colorado, Kentucky and New England.
Many of those who turned in impressive performances were of the juniors. Here, we acknowledge a few of those 2025s.
Fayetteville Academy was represented well via Walker’s presence at Cox Mill HS. Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and was difficult to contain from start to finish. The first game his team played was very high-scoring – indicative of a showcase event like Sunday’s. Walker understands the art of drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. He is also a skilled rebounder and a 3-point jump shot is part of his overall offensive repertoire. Walker has “showtime” in one of his social media profiles – it certainly was showtime at this year’s Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo as he is poised for a stellar junior campaign.
Highlights
Preston Clayton
Preston Clayton
One thing that will immediately become apparent when going to any showcase event is the height of many players. Clayton, similar to Walker, is another 6-foot-7 standout. As one can guess, that can come in very handy when look to convert on high-percentage opportunities close to the basket. It also helps when looking to make an impact in the rebounding game as well as with interior defense. Clayton will begin his junior season at A.C. Reynolds in 2023-24 and was the lone representative of the Rockets at this year’s North Carolina Top 250 Expo.
So many of the signature players throughout the day at Cox Mill HS were juniors. Among those is Henson who is on the verge of beginning his 2025 campaign with Clayton. Henson can get crafty with his ball movement, footwork and passing abilities. Defensively, he will come seemingly from out of nowhere to negatively affect the trajectory of an opposing ball handler’s shot attempt. Henson will showcase his point guard skills with how he will organize an offense in a half court set. He also has an ability to score as a 3-point shooter, in the midrange game and close to the rim.