Private schools take court in NC
In the state of North Carolina basketball, the private schools run all as far as high school basketball is concerned. You’ll find your studs in the public schools, no doubt. But if you’re trying to go to a game and catch a handful of DI recruits from just about every team, private school is the way to go.
With the North Carolina private school governing body (NCISSA) having relatively chill reclassification rules, the private schools often gain talent from other states via players who either need to spend an extra year in school to get their grades straight or need another year to develop their game even more. John Wall really put the private schools on the map when he dominated at Word of God, but even the Wizards’ star PG wasn’t able to get a chip.
Northside Christian Academy, Flora MacDonald, and host school Ravenscroft all walked away with championships and memories that will last a lifetime. Amid those games, there were a number of guys who had some major talent and here’s a brief look at some of the cats who caught our eye:
Madison Jones, 6-2, PG, Ravenscroft, 2012
A name on the NC hoops circuit for a while now, Madison has put all of his talents together to finish his high school career stronger than ever. With the ideal size and length that you look for out of a lead guard, he was able to use that package to blow past defenders to get into the paint and then finish above them. The consistency on the senior guard who ran with CP3′s AAU team is getting better, explaining why Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, and others are trying to get him to run the show for them next year.
Anton Gill, 6-3, SG, Ravenscroft, 2013
The most hyped prospect that the state tourney did not disappoint on his home court, pouring in 14 points in the W. The junior was able to change the game from both inside and out with his scoring, which he was able to do from in the paint, mid-range, and beyond the arc. Already headed to Louisville for a minute now, the strong play and state title throughout the HS season will certainly catapault him up the national 2013 rankings.
Rashed Anthony, 6-7, PF, Flora MacDonald, 2013
Probably not the guy who is going to receive the most media love on a stacked Flora Mac squad, Anthony was definitely my personal MVP in their state title run. A bouncy forward with crazy wingspan, he was able to dominate the game on the defensive end while also providing his team with a spark with his high activity level offensively. Relcass’d to 2013, expect for him to get hell love from mid-major colleges and above once they get a glimpse of him on the AAU circuit.
Aaron Rountree, 6-8, SF/PF, The Greenfield School, 2012
While he walked away as the runner-up for the state championship, Rountree had a pair of impressive showings against two teams stacked with DI players in The Oakwood School and Flora MacDonald. Arguably the top recruit that Wake Forest has coming in next year, he used his size and ability to see over the D to play a point forward role for his HS squad.The competent ball handler was able to serve as the key creator for Greenfield on the perimeter while also holding it down in the paint defensively. Rountree may have not walked away the victor here, but should be a big part of the Deamon Deacons rebuilding efforts.
Josh Level, 6-5, SF, Christ School, 2014
After playing last season with SLAM diarist Quincy Miller at Westchester, Josh as takent his game to a whole new level. Lame joke, but his game is not a joke by any means. Level has done a great job transitioning from the 4 to the 3 in the past year, evidenced by the handful of threes he drilled and new found ability to get to the cup. Add those skills to the real nice bounce that Level already had and you see why he will be one of the more coveted sophomores in the state of North Carolina.
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