Player Of The Week: Tyree Best

Player of The Week: Tyree Best Richlands High School

The High School Basketball season got off to a good start last week with all the players eager to show off all the hard work they put in this past off-season. We had plenty of good performances by top players from around the area but in my opinion Tyree Best the 6'5 forward from Richlands High School had one of the best. Against Dixon High School last week in the first game of the season his stat line was 43 Points & 17 Rebounds. I caught up with Tyree who I found out hasn't been playing basketball at a serious level very long this weekend to ask a few questions:

@Capefearhoops: When did you realize basketball was the sport you wanted to play and why?

@Checkthestats: I think it was probably around the end of 10th grade year I got a lot taller and a little bigger and the coach wanted me to play and I did A lot of drills and I felt like I could be one of the best post players around here so I just stuck with it.

@Capefearhoops: Who is your favorite basketball player in the NBA or College Basketball and why?

@Checkthestats: Lebron James because he's big and strong and he loves to play physical and that's kinda how I like to play. I LOVE BODY CONTACT!!

 @Capefearhoops: Pregame rituals: what you do before the game to get ready?

@Checkthestats:  Probably listen to chief keef and meek mill and just focus until game time

@Capefearhoops: How did it feel to play like you did the other night against Dixon with 43 Points & 17 Rebounds?

@Checkthestats:  I felt like I had the hot hand early in the game and my teammates got me the ball and I just went to work it's simple. I'm built for this!!!

@Capefearhoops: Would you rather have a game winning shot or a game winning block?

@Checkthestats: Definitely a game winning block I'm better on defensive side!!

@Capefearhoops: What are some of your goals you hope to achieve in your senior season at Richlands

@Checkthestats:  Most important is have a better record than last years team.. and make sure my stats are better than last year. I think if I complete that I could say I had a great senior season!!

@Capefearhoops:  Who are your role models outside of basketball?

@Checkthestats: J. Cole would be one because he inspire me that any body can make out of a small town

Well I'm proud to say that week 1 of high school hoops is in the books and we have a long way to go. This was the first player of the week we have done and every week from here on out we will pick a boy and girls basketball player. Hope all the players had a great thanksgiving but its back to the gym now. good luck this week.

Jamie Cherry: Future Lady Tarheel

Future Lady Tar Heel

     I'm Sure a lot of you guys have, but for those of you who haven't heard of basketball sensation Jamie Cherry of West Craven High School let me be the first to introduce you. As we enter the first week of the high school basketball season in North Carolina I felt it was only right to let you guys in on the life of one of the best girls basketball players in the nation. Jamie Cherry is a special player. She committed to play for head coach Sylvia Hatchell at the University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill after her freshman year of high school basketball following in the steps of her Idol who you will hear more about in our interview. 

     Cherry who won several player of the year awards as a sophomore lead West Craven to a 29-1 record last year losing in the regional of the state tournament to a tough Rocky Mount Squad. She finished the season averaging 26 points a game and her game high so far in her career is 41 points so there is no doubt that she can score the ball from anywhere on the court. We recently caught up with her after a scrimmage and she was nice enough to answer a couple questions for us.

@CapeFearHoops : When Did you Realize that playing basketball is what you wanted to do with your life and why?

@Cherrybabe10 : When I was 11 Years Old. One day I was shooting hoops in the snow and my dad asked did I want to go in and I said no you go ahead and he left me out there. I stayed for about 2 more hours by myself in the snow that's when I knew I was serious about basketball. 

@CapeFearHoops : What WNBA or College Basketball player do you model your game after?

@Cherrybabe10 : The greatest point guard in the game and Tar heel Alum Ivory Latta.

@CapeFearHoops : What are some of your goals in your junior season at West Craven?

@Cherrybabe10 : My goals are to win games and get my school a state championship. Win a ring something that nobody has done where I'm from.

@CapeFearHoops :  Do you have any games on the schedule circled this year besides the state championship game?

@Cherrybabe10 : Yes Providence Day (November 24th), Kinston High School (December 7th) and also Ashley High School (December 4th)

@CapeFearHoops : Which would you rather have: the game winning 3 pointer or the game winning steal?

@Cherrybabe10 : The Game Winning Steal

@CapeFearHoops : How do you handle the target on your back every time you step on the court of being a North Carolina Tar heel Commit?

@Cherrybabe10 : I have the Kill Mindset when I step on the basketball court. Whoever steps in front of me when the ball is in my hands doesn't stand a chance. I just have a very high confidence level, high expectations and I have to be the best. I'm very competitive and I won't lose it's not in my blood I'M NOT A LOSER.

@CapeFearHoops : Who do you look up to outside of basketball?

@Cherrybabe10 : My Mom & Dad and my brother Antwan.

     After the interview we talked briefly about the upcoming basketball season and it sounds like she is pretty confident in her squad this year. I'm looking for her to have a big junior season and make a run at the state title she is after. Check out some of her highlights below in a video we found on YouTube from last season

2011-12 West Craven Girls Basketball Team



Well I hope you like the feature on one of the top ball players on the coast. Leave comments etc. This is @CapeFearHoops signing off once again peace out.

Ashley Basketball Jamboree

Ashley High School

Basketball Jamboree

Well I hope you guys are having a good day so far. I also hope you guys were able to check out the list of players in our area that will be signing letters of intent during the November signing period in our latest blog. If your looking to check out some early high school basketball action tonight there will be a few good basketball teams participating in the Annual Ashley High School Basketball Jamboree held in Wilmington, NC at the 2 Gyms at the High School and the Middle school Gymnasium connected to the High school. There will be a 3 games going on at all times during the event. The events starts at 5:00 with the first set of games. I know these are scrimmages but this will give you guys a chance to see what the teams look like out there this year. One of the notable games to watch will be at 7:30 in the Main Gym of Ashley High School When the screaming eagles of Ashley take on the Tigers of South View. Well just thought I'd share that information with the followers. hope to see you guys there tonight. Below are a list of the teams participating in the event.

Teams List

ASHLEY HIGH SCHOOL

SOUTH VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

LANEY HIGH SCHOOL

NORTH BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL

WEST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL

COASTAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Well that about does it for this segment of the Cape Fear Hoops News. Good luck to all the teams participating tonight. Have a blessed day

Early Signing Period List

EARLY SIGNING PERIOD NOV 14TH - NOV 21ST



Today is a special day for a lot of high school athletes all across the nation. It is November 14th the start of the early signing period for the class of 2013's high school athletes. The end of the early signing period is November 21st & we will pick up where we left off next spring. During this time recruits who have given verbal commitments will convert their pledges to written agreements, and officially be a part of the future of their respectable schools.

With several of the top High School Basketball players in the cape fear region signing letters of intent over the next week. We will be listing all the kids who have signed that we know of. If we leave any kids off this list please feel free to let us know with a comment under the Blog. Send us the kids name and college he/she signed with.

PLAYERS SIGNING

1. T.J. Williams - 6'8 PF - Ashley High School

Listed as one of the players to watch in last weeks blog. As you can see we weren't the only people to notice him. The big man from Eugene Ashley High School will be signing his Letter of Intent this November to play college basketball for head Coach John Shulman of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga next fall. Congratulations T.J.

 2. Rian Holland - 5'10 PG - South View High School

Rian Had a birthday just past recently and I'm sure a well deserved present this year will be to sign his Letter of Intent in front of family & friends to play for head coach Gregg Marshall at Wichita State University in Kansas next fall. Congrats Rian

3. Janea Williams - 6'3 C - Pinecrest High School

Williams made her verbal commitment at the beginning of the school year this past august. I'm sure today will be a very special day in her life as she accomplished something awesome by signing her letter of intent to play College basketball next year at The University of North Florida for head coach Mary Tappmeyer.

Congrats Janea.

4. Amber Doniere - 6'0 PF - Laney High School
From a school known for one of the best basketball players ever to play the game Amber Doniere is the latest Basketball product out of Laney high school to sign a basketball scholarship. She will play for head coach Darcie Vincent at Appalachian State University next fall. Congrats Amber.

5. Chatori Major - 5'7 PG - Lejeune High School

Major was one of the top players we talked about last week in our players to watch and I'm sure this won't be the last time you hear about her on the blog this year. After she is done giving coaches a headache in high school basketball gymnasiums throughout the area she will be heading to play for head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick next fall at The University of North Carolina at Asheville. Congrats Chatori.

6. Breanna Edwards - 5'11 PF - Ashley High School

Well looks like Ashley high school is on the board twice as Breanna Edwards of Ashley high school chose late last night to play for head coach Wendy Lee at Mount Olive College next fall over UNC-Pembroke. Congrats Breanna.

7. Elijah Wilson - 6'4 SG - Laney High School

Elijah has had a very difficult recruitment and I know he is glad to see it end this week. Wilson originally committed to play at College of Charleston until a coaching change made him a little uneasy with the decision. He re-opened his recruitment and then decided he would head off to Prep school for a year. He is now at Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, NC. After a very long drawn out process Elijah Wilson will Sign his Letter of Intent to play college basketball for head coach Cliff Ellis of Coastal Carolina University. Congrats Elijah

 

8. Josh "Showtime" Cuthbertson - 6'5 SF - West Craven High School

Cuthbertson Recently went down south for a college visit and it looks like everything went well because he came back and will sign to play for head coach Eddie Payne of the University of South Carolina Upstate next fall. Congrats to Josh. Friday will also be game day for West Craven.

Well I'm pretty sure I will learn of some more commitments a little later in the afternoon but this is a good start to the signing period. 7 kids from the cape fear region will sign to play college basketball somewhere next fall. To all the underclassmen out there keep working hard your time is coming.

Food For Thought: Dedication

Dedication

Dedication and commitment are essential for success in any endeavor, but especially in basketball. The game is so unbelievable competitive right now, if you aren’t dedicated, you won’t make it. That goes for everyone; from high school players to the NBA. Great players are incredibly dedicated.  They are keenly focused on their own skill and physical development and on achieving their own personal goals.  Great players are up early in the morning and work on their game, in some capacity, most of the day.  They do that 5-6 days a week.  That is dedication!

On the topic of dedication, a powerful quote comes to mind  “There are two pains in life.  The pain of discipline and the pain of regret.  Take your choice.”  Don Meyer

Everything in life, whether shopping for a new a TV or chasing your dream of playing in the NBA comes down to three simple questions:

1)    What exactly do you want?

2)    What does it cost?

3)    Are you willing to pay the price?

While listening to one of Coach Meyer’s stories he mentioned he heard that back in his prime, Tiger Woods used to make 100 9-ft putts in a row to end every practice.  That is 100 consecutive putts.  If he missed his 92^nd putt, he started over! That is dedication. Keep in mind, in his prime, Tiger was the most dominant golfer of all time.  I figure an appropriate equivalent for basketball players are free throws.  Are you dedicated enough to end every workout with 5 or 10 or 20 consecutive free throws? Tiger went on to say, “If people knew how hard I worked they wouldn’t think this came so easy to me.”  I guess it is true; champions are made when no one is watching!

Another example of dedication is what’s known as the NBA “early bus.”  There are two buses that head to the arena before every NBA road game. One heads over 3 hours early and one heads over an hour and half early.  The guys that head over on the early bus are usually rookies, guys fighting for playing time, guys on 10 day contracts, etc.  Guys that need to put in the extra work as often as possible.  They head over early to get up shots, work on their ball handling, and sometimes even lift weights.  These guys are dedicated to getting better every day.  Legend has it NBA superstar Tim Duncan continued to take the early bus every game, even after his legacy and superstardom where solidified.  In fact, the Spurs organization took notice and said “if our best player can take the early bus, then everyone can take the early bus.”  Needless to say the Spurs only have one bus to games now!

The truly dedicated players understand dedication isn’t a sometimes thing, it is an all the time thing.  There is no such thing as being “kind of dedicated.” You are either dedicated or you’re not; there is no in between.

Now the question is, are you dedicated?

Train hard.  Train smart.

Cape Fear Region Players to Watch pt.2 (Boys)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Well were back for one more segment of Boys basketball players to watch this year on the high school scene. There is just to much talent for us to only showcase five players. If you notice all of the players we have shown so far are seniors because we have something a little different for the underclassmen coming soon. We are very excited about this upcoming basketball season and all the talent in the area check out today's five players to watch below.

BOYS

1. Josh "Showtime" Cuthbertson - 6'5 SF - West Craven High School

They Don't Call him showtime for nothing. This 6'5 baller is wired to score the basketball in bunches. He made headlines last year when he was named the ESPN player of the week for scoring 69 points in 2 games in one week. He was the New Bern Sun Journal player of the year last year and has been on the all-conference first team more than once. Playing travel ball for Calvin Campbells Xpress United program he has gained several offers from D-1 Colleges and interest from even more.

2. Sidy "Sidy Diddy" Mohamed Djitte - 6'10 C - Northwood Temple Academy

My first time seeing the athletic big man was at the SouthEast Elite 24 Classic last year in Wilmington, NC. I knew it was only a matter of time before you saw his name all over recruiting sites and after playing a summer with the Upward Stars Travel Program he is a house hold name. He has only been in the states for 2 years as he hails from Nigeria. His Northwood Temple Squad is loaded with talent and his is at the top of the list. They should do well with their tough private school schedule. He has offers from Memphis and VCU with a ton of other schools looking to land the big man.

3. Joe O'Donnell - 6'4 SG - Hoggard High School

O'Donnell is a great pitcher in high school and will probably play college baseball after high school but that doesn't mean he is to be taken lightly on the basketball court. He was a all-conference selection in the Mid-eastern conference that had state champion New Hanover in it. The athletic wing score the ball in a variety of ways and likes to get up for a dunk every now and then. He should score plenty points again this year for the vikings as he is their leading returning scorer.

4. Brennen Wright - 6'2 SG - Hoke County High School

Wright is the 2nd player from Hoke County to make this watch list just goes to show how much talent Coach Quame Patterson has on the sidelines again this year. Wright play a key role in the Hoke County final four run in the state tournament last season. He was selected second team all region last season as a junior and I look for him to have improved over the summer and have a good season.

5. Dominique Wiggins - 6'1 SF - South View High School

The 6'1 Wiggins is a player that all coaches want to have on their team. At 6'1 he does a lot for his size. Last season he lead the conference in rebounding at 10.3 rpg on his way to averaging a double double with 12.0 ppg also. He was a first team Mid-South Conference player. He will play a big role this season with the South View High School basketball squad who many feel have a good chance at making a deep run in the 4A state playoffs but as we all know only time will tell.

Well that is the end of the second segment of the boys basketball players to watch in the cape fear region. I hope you all enjoy this list and if you have any comments please feel free to leave them. Well Until next time see you later. and have a blessed weekend and I hope you are enjoying the blog so far.

Cape Fear Region Players to Watch pt.2 (Girls)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Well were back for one more segment of Girls basketball players to watch this year on the high school scene. There is just to much talent for us to only showcase five players. If you notice all of the players we have shown so far are seniors because we have something a little different for the underclassmen coming soon. We are very excited about this upcoming basketball season and all the talent in the area check out today's five players to watch below.

GIRLS

1. Ashanti Curry - 5'7 G - Northside High School

Curry was a All-Conference selection last year for Northside-Jacksonville High School. She averaged in double figures as a junior for a team that finished the season with a 24-4 record. look for her to lead a team with 10 players returning through a great season.

2. De'Aira Smith - 5'8 G - Trinity Christian Academy

If you brave enough to get on the court with her you better be able to keep up. Smith lead Trinity Christian to a 1A NCISAA state title and made the all-state team in her junior season. She averaged 17 points a game last season. Her team has all the pieces back to make another title run & with her at the point guard spot they will definitely have a good chance. I do know Fayetteville State Wants her on campus.

3. Lyric Levester - 5'10 PF - White Oak High School

The 5'10 post player out of Jacksonville, North Carolina is a load to deal with on the block. She has a good set of hands and always finds herself in good position for the entry pass and once they get it to her down low you can tally up the two points she will handle the rest. She was a All-Conference selection as well for White Oak averaging nearly a double double.

4. Sasha Martin - 5'5 G - Lakewood High School

Led team to the 1-A Eastern Regional final and finished the season with a 29-2 record. She Averaged a team-high 14 points per game. Shot team-high 49 percent on 3-point goals and 74 percent from the foul line.

5. Airico "UnstoppableCO" Williams - 5'7 G - Westover High School

Now this last player Smh.... After reading her stat line from last season I had to ask her myself was it all true and she confirmed it for me Wait For it.....17 points, 15.7 rebounds, 10.9 steals yea folks you read it right a Triple Double. She made the Cape Fear all-region girls basketball team along with Martin & Smith above her along with a bunch of other awards. I do know UNC-Pembroke and UNC-Greensboro are interested in her being on campus next fall. We'll just wait it out and see what happens.

Well that is the end of the second segment of girls basketball players to watch in the cape fear region. I hope you all enjoy this list and if you have any comments please feel free to leave them. Well Until next time see you later. and have a blessed weekend