Top Performers At Charlotte Hoops Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Charlotte Hoops Challenge never disappoints, with the talent or players. This year we saw a lot of guys that we have seen in past years that are continuing to take a jump going into their upperclassmen seasons. There was one freshman that <strong>impressed</strong> that had to be mentioned with this group of best performers from this weekend. Check out <strong>five </strong>of the most impactful players from the Charlotte Hoops Challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tim Hall Jr. 2023 (Westminster Catawba Basketball)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall has found a new home this season with his close friend and teammate Nich Hamrick. They had an impressive victory at the Charlotte Hoops Challenge, defeating Sun Valley 88-63. Hall was constantly above the rim, finishing the game with seven blocks! He has good size but if he is able to play that well defensively, he finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds as well. Hall was dominant, his impact was felt all over the court. I think that he has the potential to be the leading blocks leader in his division this year. A true athlete that has learned patience and how to affect the defense without always having to block a shot. Your presence can be juts as impactful is what he is learning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Kerr</strong> <strong>2026 (West Charlotte High)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very versatile forward, that the Lions have been excited for since he stepped foot on campus. A composed and lanky player that has the ability to get above the rim at 6'4". He has a quick second jump too and finds his way to a lot rebounds on both sides of the court. Grabbing a game high, seven rebounds Saturday against J.M. Robinson. He is always looking for the big dunk, but he knows how to efficiently score. Once his shot behind the arc grows in consistency he will stretch out the defense and give guard Chad Taylor even more space to work with. He finished with 12 points and a steal as well against the Bulldogs. The Lions will be a fun team to watch with Kerr on the team as well. A repeat state championship could be on the way for them if Kerr continues to improve this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204932' first='Alex' last='Bates'] 2023 (United Faith)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Champion Falcons left the CHC with the trophy and impressive performances all weekend. Bates once again shined as UF pulled away from Charlotte Elite Academy. Bates is averaging 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in this early season. Playing light minutes in the lopsided win, Bates till tied with the team high in points with 15. With offers from Holy Cross, Navy, and Duquense I believe that Bates can become an even better distributor of the basketball, his game will only make everyone around him better. He is very active in the passing lanes, averaging two steals a game and he has above average athleticism that has been on display this past year. A late new development that fits his game perfectly. Every time you ee Bates he seems as if he has improved in some facet of his game, encouraging if you are recruiting Bates. Bates will be looking for his third ring with the Falcons, taking home States and continue to improve are his first two priorities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815617' first='Julien' last='King'] 2023 (Grace Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King and the Eagles of Grace Christian had their hands full with a r really young and talented 1 of 1 team that ultimately defeated them by 19. But King was so impressive that we could not leave the event and not speak on his impact on the game at all three levels. King has good size for the guard position and knows how to use his size to get to his spots. Filling up the state sheet so far this season, scoring 17 points, three assists, six rebounds, and two steals per game. With his size he has a lot of versatile ways of finishing around the time, his corner three pointer is probably his best shot on the court, he is a rim runner so he finds himself scoring 6-10 points by hustling and being the first player above the rim as soon as the shot is up. King has D1 talent and has some interest from Navu. Who just offered him his first official D1 offer last week, however there will be more D1 offers before the season is over. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577871' first='Avion' last='Pinner']. 2023 (Concord Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinner has been nothing short of dominant so far this season, as the the 6'8" wing has shown his ability to score at all three levels and defend at a high level. Pinner is active above the rim and he has the luxury of knowing where the ball will sometimes come off the rim, he has an above average motor that I can see mixing well with a high powered offense at the next level. Pinner finished the game with a season high 29 points, ten rebounds five steals, and three blocks. Augusta Christian is probably thankful that this game is over, Pinner was a mismatch and easily could do whatever wants against his opponents this past weekend. He will have a big year, his next step is continue to improve with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1008884' first='JJ' last='Moore'] in the P/R offense. Learning how to read the first and second level of defense comes with time and I think the 6'8" big man has the opportunity to be a very impactful player at the next level in the right system. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->