Carolina Cup: Day 1 Notebook

<h5>The PrepHoops Circuit invaded North Carolina this past weekend with the Carolina Cup. Take a look at the Day 1 Notebook from the event.</h5> <p> </p> <h5>[program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] shows their status in NC</h5> <p>Day 1 of the Carolina Cup at Carolina Courts started off with a bang with [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte']'s 2025 group setting the tone on one court with their 2024 group setting a similar tone on another. [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] 2025 won 71-21 and [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] 2024 won 76-53 as both teams took home early 8AM victories to kick the day off. Their 2025 group was led by the backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1365518" first="Jalyn" last="Connor"] and Dequadre Currence and the paint presence of Damontre Harlee to show the young talent they have coming down the pipeline. For their 2024 group, it was [player_tooltip player_id="1154672" first="Miles" last="Beard"], [player_tooltip player_id="1120958" first="Stephen" last="Quinn"], [player_tooltip player_id="1029968" first="Amare" last="Bethel"] and Aiden Miller that started their unbeaten weekend off right for them. Quinn set the tone in the early going with a pair of back-to-back steals and easy buckets while Beard got hot from behind the arc in the second half. Bethel showed his quickness on defense and playmaking ability at the lead guard spot while Miller showed his athleticism and versatility at 6-foot-6 as a stretch-forward and rim runner. The younger [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] groups got the day off to quite the start at the Carolina Cup on Saturday.</p> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] 2023's followed up the 8AM games with a strong opening performance of their own in the 905 games with a statement 96-56 victory to kick off their 4-0 weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="1030010" first="Austin" last="Swartz"] and Darius Abraham were the fast-starters that got things going in the right direction for them as they cruised to victory. Swartz has grown a few inches since last viewing him and he's put on some muscle as well which he's utilizing to get to the rim and block shots now as a floor general. Abraham is a new face to know after showing off his combo guard skills, knocking down four 3-pointers in a 16-point outing to start things off. They were a deep group when it was all said and done with Matai Baptiste, [player_tooltip player_id="1059723" first="Dallas" last="Gardner"], [player_tooltip player_id="1142620" first="Kaleb" last="Siler"] and others showing what they could do by the end of things.</p> <h5>Watch out for Man II Man Soldiers!</h5> <p>Man II Man Soldiers (VA) was another impressive squad that made their Passion Region debut at the Carolina Cup and went 4-0 on the weekend in the 17U division. They went 3-0 on Day 1 with [player_tooltip player_id="1448801" first="Chase" last="Nelson"], Kashantis Anderson and Tyler Andre showing what they could do in their opening victory against a solid Metro Elite Basketball Club. Nelson knocked down four 3-pointers at the lead guard spot while Anderson showed his presence down low as a rebounder and scorer around the rim. Andre was one of their off-ball threats that made plays for himself and others at opportune times. [player_tooltip player_id="1304244" first="Brian" last="Kennedy"] was another name to know with their group as well given his lead guard skill set, even as a member of VA's 2024 class. He showed he can knock down shots on the perimeter and make things happen off the bounce with his quickness and prowess with the ball. </p> <p>Their 2024 group was a head-turning one as well with Malachi Mercy running the show on the perimeter and Brendan Rossi holding his own on the interior. Mercy was an active guard in the Man II Man backcourt that showed he could finish in traffic and create opportunities with paint touches. Rossi flew all over the place with his 6-foot-5 length to clean up the glass, keep plays alive and create opportunities in the post. </p> <h5>CAAT Wildcats 2025 go unbeaten</h5> <p>The CAAT Wildcats 2025 group didn't disappoint on the Prep Hoops Circuit at the Carolina Cup as they went 4-0 in their debut. They had a number of standouts in their rotation as they won by an average of 20+ points while posting 61.3 ppg and holding opponents 33.8 ppg in the process including a solid ESF Threat DC squad. On the interior, the skills of Damari Witherspoon and his 6-foot-5 frame was on display as he showed his ability to protect the paint and score on the interior. In the backcourt, it was the efforts of Cowyn Glass, Matthew Perry and Noah Brown that pushed the envelope for them on the perimeter and defensively. Glass and Brown took turns running the show and pushing the pace as lead guards and playmakers while Perry roamed the perimeter and showed his ability to knock down 3s and score off the bounce. They're a squad that's fun to watch with some nice depth as well. </p> <p> </p> <h5>10 Notable Performers</h5> <h6>Brendan Abell - DMV Stags 2024</h6> <p>Abell was a top performer on the day for the DMV Stags despite their first result in a late overtime loss. He posted 25 points (5 made 3-pointers) along with the go-ahead 4-point play to send the game into overtime. He's an electric combo guard out of Severna Park High in the 2024 class.</p> <h6>Chasz Holmes - No Excuses Elite 2024</h6> <p>Holmes was a 6-foot guard that didn't take long to find his scoring prowess for No Excuses Elite 2024 on the 16U stage. He put up 23 points (4 made 3-pointers) in a back-and-forth battle with East Carolina Elite and their twin frontcourt towers of [player_tooltip player_id="1076371" first="Amari" last="Latham"] and [player_tooltip player_id="854901" first="Jordan" last="Jones"]. </p> <h6>Calvin Charles - Florida Elite SW 2024</h6> <p>Charles doesn't let much slow him down as he's a guy that plays with a ton of energy and at one point, he had his squad on a nice run against [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] in the early going, flying around blocking shots and finishing around the rim. He's a prospect that continues to show his growth at the 3/4 spot in the 2024 class.</p> <h6>Wes Rook - Florida Elite SW 2024</h6> <p>Rook was another top performer for Florida Elite SW 2024 group as he showed off his ability to knock down shots on all three levels. He showed he could knock down shots on the perimeter and put together multiple games with at least two made 3-pointers on Day 1 of the Carolina Cup.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="854901" first="Jordan" last="Jones"] - East Carolina Elite 2024</h6> <p>Jones impressed in a variety of ways on Day 1 with East Carolina Elite. He showed off his ability to create on the break and finish at the rim, showed he could handle the ball at 6-foot-5 and was even more impressive showing off his shooting stroke and decision-making. He's an intriguing prospect with length that hails from Kinston High worth keeping an eye on.</p> <h6>Erich Harding - [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] 2024</h6> <p>Harding was a head-turning prospect in [program_tooltip program_id='2078535' first='Team' last='Charlotte'] 2024's frontcourt. He showed off his length and finish ability on numerous occasions with a few big finishes at the rim and showed his length defensively with his ability to protect the rim. He's a budding name to keep an eye on in NC's 2024 class.</p> <h6>Antwan Gross - 2023 ESF</h6> <p>Gross was a prospect to keep an eye on by the end of Day 1 in the 17U division with Easy Street Family out of Washington D.C. He showed he could play inside and out with his ability to attack the paint and create off the bounce. He's got a nice blend of strength and athleticism worth keeping an eye on out of McKinley Tech High.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="848086" first="Nayshin" last="Waller"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078513' first='NC' last='Wildcats'] 2023</h6> <p>Waller is a sharpshooter that continues to impress and as he shows he can put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, look for his stock to grow in the Passion Region. He's an athletic combo guard to watch as the summer months continue with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078513' first='NC' last='Wildcats'].</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1307578" first="Isaiah" last="Otyaluk"] - No Guts No Glory 2023</h6> <p>Otyaluk is a versatile name to know in the 2024 class with No Guts No Glory while playing on the 17U stage at the Carolina Cup. He's got a ton of length and athleticism that he showcased with his perimeter shooting, shot-blocking and ability to finish at the rim in traffic. As he continues to improve his strength, look for his stock to grow in the state.</p> <h6>Mekhi Sneed - [program_tooltip program_id='2078513' first='NC' last='Wildcats'] 2025</h6> <p>Sneed really set the tone on both ends of the floor for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078513' first='NC' last='Wildcats'] 2025 on Day 1. He puts a ton of defensive pressure on the ball to create chaos on defense and turn turnovers into easy offense as he did on numerous occasions at the Carolina Cup. He's a new face to know in the 2025 class.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>