Olympic High guard to transfer to Northside Christian

Olympic sophomore guard Austin Dasent is transferring to Northside Christian, his father, Kevin, told the Observer. Kevin Dasent said his son nearly enrolled at private Covenant Day School in Matthews, when Austin was a freshman, but the family decided against enrolling.

Austin Dasent was a regular for Olympic (28-2) which was nationally ranked for much of the season. He was the team’s fourth leading scorer (8.0 points per game), fourth in steals (1.2) and third in assists (2.4).

“It’s a good situation for Austin academically,” Kevin Dasent said. “My wife and I looked into private schools in ninth grade and decided not to do so at that time. Now is the right time. It’s not a recruiting issue. We pride oursleves on doing things the right way.”

Kevin Dasent said he will drive his son to Northside Christian daily, about a 25-minute commute from the family’s home in southwest Charlotte. Northside Christian is on the northern end of town.
Austin, currently a sophomore at Olympic, will be a junior at Northside Christian next fall. He is the second area player to transfer. South Mecklenburg 6-9 junior Phillip Reed will be a rising senior next season at Northside.

Northside won the N.C. 2A private school state championship game in February under second-year coach Byron Dinkins.

Seven Observer area stars make N.C. All-State Basketball Team

The 2012 N.C. Associated Press all-state basketball teams feature seven players from the Observer’s coverage area.

West Charlotte’s Kennedy Meeks and United Faith’s Braxton Ogbueze made the team for the second straight season. Providence Day’s Tiffany Mitchell became a rare three-time all-state girls pick.

Also on the girls team are Bandys sophomore Madi Story, Salisbury sophomore Brielle Blair and Kennedy Charter junior Rajsha Blackmon. Olympic’s Allerik Freeman, who has narrowed his college choices to Kansas and Villanova, made the boys team.

Wilmington New Hanover County’s Kadeem Allen, Raleigh Upper Room’s Rodney Purvis and Morrisville Green Hope’s Kristen Gaffney led the vote totals from a 22-person media panel from around the state. Allen and Purvis each earned 20 of a possible 22 votes. Gaffney earned 21 votes to lead the girls’ team.

The AP prep basketball coaches of the year for North Carolina will be released Friday. The players of the year will be released Saturday. The Observer’s annual All-Mecklenburg, All-Region and All-Observer teams will be released next month, along with the final Sweet 16 polls.

A little on the area selections:

Meeks, a 6-foot-9 junior, led his team to a second straight N.C. 4A state championship appearance. An IB student and National Honor Society member, Meeks is ranked among the nation’s top 30 players in his class.

Ogbueze, signed to Florida, is a 6-1 guard who averaged 22 points this season. He’s a top 40 national recruit. Freeman, a 6-3 junior, averaged 18 points and six rebounds for a 28-2 team that was nationally ranked for much of the season.

On the girls side, Mitchell is the reigning N.C. Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and 2.8 assists for a 29-4 team that won a third straight state private school championship. Kennedy Charter’s Blackmon is a 6-foot guard who led the state in scoring at 31.5 points. She was 13th nationally and also averaged 12 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Salisbury’s Blair, a 6-1 forward, averaged 22 points and nearly 14 rebounds.


Bandy’s Story, a 5-11 guard, averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, four assists and three steals for a N.C. 2A regional finalist.

Girls All-State Team: Kristen Gaffney, Morrisville Green Hope, Sr.; Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day, Sr.; Jamie Cherry, West Craven, So.; Lindsay Simpson, Franklin, Sr.; Zena Lovette, Southwest Guilford, Sr.; Madi Story, Bandys, So.; Brielle Blair, Salisbury, So.; Rajsha Blackmon, Kennedy Charter, Jr.; Briana Day, Raleigh Millbrook, Jr.; J’Kyra Brown, Rocky Mount, Jr.; Dana Brown, Raleigh Enloe, Sr.; Sidney Cook, Hope Mills South View, Sr.; Paris Kea, Greensboro Page, So.

Boys All-State team: Kadeem Allen, Wilmington New Hanover, Sr.; Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room, Sr.; Kennedy Meeks, W. Charlotte, Jr.; Braxton Ogbueze, United Faith, Sr.; Denzel Ingram, Chapel Hill, Sr.; Allerik Freeman, Olympic, Jr.; Greg McClinton, Winston-Salem Prep, Jr.; Josh Cuthbertson, W. Craven, Jr.; Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb, Jr.; Tyrone Outlaw, Roxboro Person, Jr.; Justin Cousin, Graham, Sr.; Nate Jones, Davie county, Sr.; Anton Gill, Raleigh Ravenscroft, Jr.

Seven Observer-area stars make N.C. Associated Press all-state basketball teamsThe 2012 N.C. Associated Press all-state basketball teams feature seven players from the Observer’s coverage area. West Charlotte’s Kennedy Meeks and United Faith’s Braxton Ogbueze made the team for the second straight season. Providence Day’s Tiffany Mitchell became a rare three-time all-state girls pick. Also on the girls team are Bandys sophomore Madi Story, Salisbury sophomore Brielle Blair and Kennedy Charter junior Rajsha Blackmon. Olympic’s Allerik Freeman, who has narrowed his college choices to Kansas and Villanova, made the boys team. Wilmington New Hanover County’s Kadeem Allen, Raleigh Upper Room’s Rodney Purvis and Morrisville Green Hope’s Kristen Gaffney led the vote totals from a 22-person media panel from around the state. Allen and Purvis each earned 20 of a possible 22 votes. Gaffney earned 21 votes to lead the girls’ team. The AP prep basketball coaches of the year for North Carolina will be released Friday. The players of the year will be released Saturday. The Observer’s annual All-Mecklenburg, All-Region and All-Observer teams will be released next month, along with the final Sweet 16 polls. A little on the area selections: Meeks, a 6-foot-9 junior, led his team to a second straight N.C. 4A state championship appearance. An IB student and National Honor Society member, Meeks is ranked among the nation’s top 30 players in his class. Ogbueze, signed to Florida, is a 6-1 guard who averaged 22 points this season. He’s a top 40 national recruit. Freeman, a 6-3 junior, averaged 18 points and six rebounds for a 28-2 team that was nationally ranked for much of the season. On the girls side, Mitchell is the reigning N.C. Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and 2.8 assists for a 29-4 team that won a third straight state private school championship. Kennedy Charter’s Blackmon is a 6-foot guard who led the state in scoring at 31.5 points. She was 13th nationally and also averaged 12 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Salisbury’s Blair, a 6-1 forward, averaged 22 points and nearly 14 rebounds. Bandy’s Story, a 5-11 guard, averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, four assists and three steals for a N.C. 2A regional finalist. Girls All-State Team: Kristen Gaffney, Morrisville Green Hope, Sr.; Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day, Sr.; Jamie Cherry, West Craven, So.; Lindsay Simpson, Franklin, Sr.; Zena Lovette, Southwest Guilford, Sr.; Madi Story, Bandys, So.; Brielle Blair, Salisbury, So.; Rajsha Blackmon, Kennedy Charter, Jr.; Briana Day, Raleigh Millbrook, Jr.; J’Kyra Brown, Rocky Mount, Jr.; Dana Brown, Raleigh Enloe, Sr.; Sidney Cook, Hope Mills South View, Sr.; Paris Kea, Greensboro Page, So. Boys All-State team: Kadeem Allen, Wilmington New Hanover, Sr.; Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room, Sr.; Kennedy Meeks, W. Charlotte, Jr.; Braxton Ogbueze, United Faith, Sr.; Denzel Ingram, Chapel Hill, Sr.; Allerik Freeman, Olympic, Jr.; Greg McClinton, Winston-Salem Prep, Jr.; Josh Cuthbertson, W. Craven, Jr.; Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb, Jr.; Tyrone Outlaw, Roxboro Person, Jr.; Justin Cousin, Graham, Sr.; Nate Jones, Davie county, Sr.; Anton Gill, Raleigh Ravenscroft, Jr.The 2012 N.C. Associated Press all-state basketball teams feature seven players from the Observer’s coverage area. West Charlotte’s Kennedy Meeks and United Faith’s Braxton Ogbueze made the team for the second straight season. Providence Day’s Tiffany Mitchell became a rare three-time all-state girls pick. Also on the girls team are Bandys sophomore Madi Story, Salisbury sophomore Brielle Blair and Kennedy Charter junior Rajsha Blackmon. Olympic’s Allerik Freeman, who has narrowed his college choices to Kansas and Villanova, made the boys team. Wilmington New Hanover County’s Kadeem Allen, Raleigh Upper Room’s Rodney Purvis and Morrisville Green Hope’s Kristen Gaffney led the vote totals from a 22-person media panel from around the state. Allen and Purvis each earned 20 of a possible 22 votes. Gaffney earned 21 votes to lead the girls’ team. The AP prep basketball coaches of the year for North Carolina will be released Friday. The players of the year will be released Saturday. The Observer’s annual All-Mecklenburg, All-Region and All-Observer teams will be released next month, along with the final Sweet 16 polls. A little on the area selections: Meeks, a 6-foot-9 junior, led his team to a second straight N.C. 4A state championship appearance. An IB student and National Honor Society member, Meeks is ranked among the nation’s top 30 players in his class. Ogbueze, signed to Florida, is a 6-1 guard who averaged 22 points this season. He’s a top 40 national recruit. Freeman, a 6-3 junior, averaged 18 points and six rebounds for a 28-2 team that was nationally ranked for much of the season. On the girls side, Mitchell is the reigning N.C. Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and 2.8 assists for a 29-4 team that won a third straight state private school championship. Kennedy Charter’s Blackmon is a 6-foot guard who led the state in scoring at 31.5 points. She was 13th nationally and also averaged 12 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Salisbury’s Blair, a 6-1 forward, averaged 22 points and nearly 14 rebounds. Bandy’s Story, a 5-11 guard, averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, four assists and three steals for a N.C. 2A regional finalist. Girls All-State Team: Kristen Gaffney, Morrisville Green Hope, Sr.; Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day, Sr.; Jamie Cherry, West Craven, So.; Lindsay Simpson, Franklin, Sr.; Zena Lovette, Southwest Guilford, Sr.; Madi Story, Bandys, So.; Brielle Blair, Salisbury, So.; Rajsha Blackmon, Kennedy Charter, Jr.; Briana Day, Raleigh Millbrook, Jr.; J’Kyra Brown, Rocky Mount, Jr.; Dana Brown, Raleigh Enloe, Sr.; Sidney Cook, Hope Mills South View, Sr.; Paris Kea, Greensboro Page, So. Boys All-State team: Kadeem Allen, Wilmington New Hanover, Sr.; Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room, Sr.; Kennedy Meeks, W. Charlotte, Jr.; Braxton Ogbueze, United Faith, Sr.; Denzel Ingram, Chapel Hill, Sr.; Allerik Freeman, Olympic, Jr.; Greg McClinton, Winston-Salem Prep, Jr.; Josh Cuthbertson, W. Craven, Jr.; Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb, Jr.; Tyrone Outlaw, Roxboro Person, Jr.; Justin Cousin, Graham, Sr.; Nate Jones, Davie county, Sr.; Anton Gill, Raleigh Ravenscroft, Jr.

The 2012 N.C. Associated Press all-state basketball teams feature seven players from the Observer’s coverage area.

West Charlotte’s Kennedy Meeks and United Faith’s Braxton Ogbueze made the team for the second straight season. Providence Day’s Tiffany Mitchell became a rare three-time all-state girls pick.

Also on the girls team are Bandys sophomore Madi Story, Salisbury sophomore Brielle Blair and Kennedy Charter junior Rajsha Blackmon. Olympic’s Allerik Freeman, who has narrowed his college choices to Kansas and Villanova, made the boys team.

Wilmington New Hanover County’s Kadeem Allen, Raleigh Upper Room’s Rodney Purvis and Morrisville Green Hope’s Kristen Gaffney led the vote totals from a 22-person media panel from around the state. Allen and Purvis each earned 20 of a possible 22 votes. Gaffney earned 21 votes to lead the girls’ team.

The AP prep basketball coaches of the year for North Carolina will be released Friday. The players of the year will be released Saturday. The Observer’s annual All-Mecklenburg, All-Region and All-Observer teams will be released next month, along with the final Sweet 16 polls.

A little on the area selections:

Meeks, a 6-foot-9 junior, led his team to a second straight N.C. 4A state championship appearance. An IB student and National Honor Society member, Meeks is ranked among the nation’s top 30 players in his class.

Ogbueze, signed to Florida, is a 6-1 guard who averaged 22 points this season. He’s a top 40 national recruit. Freeman, a 6-3 junior, averaged 18 points and six rebounds for a 28-2 team that was nationally ranked for much of the season.

On the girls side, Mitchell is the reigning N.C. Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and 2.8 assists for a 29-4 team that won a third straight state private school championship. Kennedy Charter’s Blackmon is a 6-foot guard who led the state in scoring at 31.5 points. She was 13th nationally and also averaged 12 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Salisbury’s Blair, a 6-1 forward, averaged 22 points and nearly 14 rebounds.

Bandy’s Story, a 5-11 guard, averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, four assists and three steals for a N.C. 2A regional finalist.

Girls All-State Team: Kristen Gaffney, Morrisville Green Hope, Sr.; Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day, Sr.; Jamie Cherry, West Craven, So.; Lindsay Simpson, Franklin, Sr.; Zena Lovette, Southwest Guilford, Sr.; Madi Story, Bandys, So.; Brielle Blair, Salisbury, So.; Rajsha Blackmon, Kennedy Charter, Jr.; Briana Day, Raleigh Millbrook, Jr.; J’Kyra Brown, Rocky Mount, Jr.; Dana Brown, Raleigh Enloe, Sr.; Sidney Cook, Hope Mills South View, Sr.; Paris Kea, Greensboro Page, So.

Boys All-State team: Kadeem Allen, Wilmington New Hanover, Sr.; Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room, Sr.; Kennedy Meeks, W. Charlotte, Jr.; Braxton Ogbueze, United Faith, Sr.; Denzel Ingram, Chapel Hill, Sr.; Allerik Freeman, Olympic, Jr.; Greg McClinton, Winston-Salem Prep, Jr.; Josh Cuthbertson, W. Craven, Jr.; Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb, Jr.; Tyrone Outlaw, Roxboro Person, Jr.; Justin Cousin, Graham, Sr.; Nate Jones, Davie county, Sr.; Anton Gill, Raleigh Ravenscroft, Jr.

South Mecklenburg basketball star Phillip Reed transfer to Northside Christian

Phillip Reed, a 6-foot-9 junior center, is transferring from South Mecklenburg to Northside Christian. Reed, who grew from a 6-1 to 6-9 in two years, averaged four points and five rebounds for the Sabres last season.

"Anytime you lose someone 6-9 it's a big loss," South Mecklenburg coach John Fitch said. "He's a great kid and we wish him well. I hope it works out for him. He's going to a good program and I hope he'll do well over there."

With Reed and fellow 6-9 junior Malcom Mathews, the Sabres had one of the area's tallest front lines. South Meck finished the season 23-6, losing to eventual state championship finalist West Charlotte in a third round playoff game.

Northside Christian won the N.C. Independent Schools 2A state championship last season under coach Byron Dinkins, a former Charlotte 49ers star.

Baseball, Softball, Girls Soccer Sweet 16 polls (3/26)

Here are Sweet 16 polls for Monday, March 26

Charlotte Observer Sweet 16
Baseball
Rk.    School    Cl    W-L
1.    South Caldwell    4A    8-0
2.    Providence    4A    11-1
3.    Olympic    4A    8-0
4.     Ardrey Kell    4A    9-2
5.    Weddington    3A    5-2
6.    South Point    3A    8-0
7.    Fort Mill, SC    3A    10-1
8.    South Mecklenburg    4A    7-3
9.    Northwest Cabarrus    3A    8-1
10.    Mallard Creek    4A    7-2
11.    Hough    4A    7-4
12.    St. Stephens    3A    7-2
13.    Cuthbertson    2A    7-2
14.    Hickory    3A    7-3
15.    Marvin Ridge    3A    6-2
16.    Mooresville    4A    8-3

Softball
Rk.    School    Cl    W-L
1.    Porter Ridge    4A    12-0
2.    Lake Norman    4A    10-0
3.    Alexander Central    4A    6-1
4.    Fred T. Foard    3A    8-0
5.    Independence    4A    6-1
6.    North Iredell    3A    8-1
7.    Crest    3A    3-1
8.    Central Cabarrus    3A    7-2
9.    Hopewell    4A    7-3
10.    Marvin Ridge    3A    7-3
11.    Butler    4A    7-3
12.    Hough    4A    8-3
13.    Hickory Ridge    3A    6-2
14.    East Rowan    3A    4-2
15.    Myers Park    4A    7-2
16.    Forest Hills    2A    7-1
Girls’ Soccer
Rk.    School    Cl    W-L-T
1.    Lake Norman    4A    10-0
2.    Hough    4A    9-0-1
3.    Charlotte Catholic    3A    10-0-1
4.     Charlotte Latin    IND    6-0
5.     Marvin Ridge    3A    8-1
6.    Providence    4A    7-1-2
7.    Myers Park    4A    6-1-2
8.    St Stephens    3A    6-1-1
9.    Weddington    3A    8-1-1
10.    Robinson 3A    7-0
11.    Cuthbertson    2A    7-2
12.     Shelby    2A    7-2
13.     South Iredell    2A    6-1
14.    Ashbrook    3A    6-1-2
15.    Country Day    IND    3-1
16.    Central Academy    1A    6-2-1

NC State recruit Rodney Purvis named NC Gatorade player of the year

From Gatorade news release

27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced Rodney Purvis of Upper Room Christian Academy as its 2011-12 Gatorade North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year.  Purvis is the first Gatorade North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Upper Room Christian Academy. 
 
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Purvis as North Carolina’s best high school boys basketball player.  Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced in March, Purvis joins an elite alumni association of past state boys basketball award winners, including Dwight Howard (2003-04, SW Atlanta Christian Academy, Ga.), Chauncey Billups (1993-94 & 1994-95, George Washington HS, Colo.), Jason Kidd (1991-92, St. Joseph Notre Dame HS, Calif.), Paul Pierce (1994-95, Inglewood HS, Calif.) and Chris Bosh (2001-02, Lincoln HS, Texas).
 
A 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior guard, Purvis led the Eagles to a 24-16 record and the Greater Carolina High School Athletic Association championship this past season. Named GCHSAA Most Valuable Player, Purvis scored 24 points in the 85-61, title-clinching victory against Quality Education Academy. A McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic selection, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. An invitee to the LeBron James Skills Academy, Adidas Nations Camp and National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp, he led the CP3 All-Stars to the semifinals of the Amateur Athletic Union 17U Division I National Championships this past summer.
 
Purvis has maintained a 3.29 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and as a motivational speaker to youth student-athletes.
 
“Rodney Purvis is very explosive and attacks the basket with so much force,” said Isaac Pitts, head coach at Quality Education Academy. “Yet, he’s always in complete control of his body, and his demeanor on the court never changes regardless of the circumstances. We all know of his greatness as a player, but I believe he’s an even better person.”
 
Purvis has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at North Carolina State University this fall.
 

Antawn Jamison's March Madness Championship coming Saturday

Former Providence High basketball star Antawn Jamison's annual "March Madness" basketball championship day is Saturday at Berry High.

The ninth annual tournament is for Right Moves For Youth students. There will be a high school championship game at 10 a.m., followed by a cheerleading and step competition at 11:15. A middle school championship will be held at 12:30, followed by an awards presentation at 1:45 p.m.

Right Moves is a school-based, primary prevention and support program that collaborates with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office to help at-risk students improve their school attendance, behavior and academic performance. 

The program is designed to promote the positive development of young people in grades 6-12 thereby improving the likelihood of completing high school and making a successful transition to adulthood.

To participate in the basketball and extracurricular activities, Right Moves uses a "Pay To Play" philosophy. It rewards students for their achievements by providing opportunities to participate in a variety of athletic and cultural activities.  Students who “pay” by improving their attendance, behavior and/or academic performance are rewarded with various opportunities to “play”.

Charlotte Observer baseball, softball, girls soccer Sweet 16 polls

Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 polls
Baseball
Rk.    School    Class    Record
1.    South Caldwell    4A    6-0
2.    Northwest Cabarrus    3A    7-0
3.    Providence    4A    10-1
4.     Cuthbertson    2A    5-1
5.    Weddington    3A    3-2
6.    Olympic    4A    6-0
7.    Ardrey Kell    4A    5-2
8.    Watauga    4A    4-2
9.    East Mecklenburg    4A    4-1
10.    Hickory    3A    7-2
11.    Hough    4A    5-3
12.    South Mecklenburg    4A    6-3
13.    St. Stephens    3A    6-2
14.    Mallard Creek    4A    5-2
15.    Carson    3A    6-2
16.   Bandys 2A 5-1
Softball
Rk.    School    Class    Record
1.    Porter Ridge    4A    9-0
2.    Crest    3A    2-0
3.    Lake Norman    4A    7-0
4.    Fred T. Foard    3A    5-0
5.    Independence    4A    4-0
6.    Butler    4A    6-1
7.    North Iredell    3A    6-1
8.    East Rowan    3A    3-1
9.    Alexander Central    4A    1-1
10.    West Stanly    2A    4-1
11.    Ashbrook  3A    5-1
12.    Forest Hills    2A    5-0
13.    Central Cabarrus 3A 6-2
14.    Myers Park 4A 5-1
15.    South Stanly 1A 6-2
16.    Hickory Ridge 3A 6-1
Girls Soccer
Rk.    School    Class    Record
1.    Lake Norman    4A    7-0
2.    Hough    4A    7-0-1
3.    Myers Park    4A    5-0-2
4.     Charlotte Catholic    3A    7-0-1
5.     Charlotte Latin    IND    4-0
6.    Weddington    3A    6-1
7.    Marvin Ridge    3A    5-1
8.    St Stephens    3A    5-1-1
9.    Providence    4A    6-2
10.    Charlotte Country Day    IND    3-0
11.    Robinson    3A    6-0
12.     Cuthbertson    2A    5-2
13.     Cannon School    IND    2-0
14.    Shelby    2A    5-2
15.    South Iredell    2A    5-1
16.    Central Academy    1A    5-1-1

Providence Day's Tiffany Mitchell named NC player of the year

Gstorade news release

CHICAGO (March 8, 2012) — In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced Tiffany Mitchell of Providence Day School as its 2011-12 Gatorade North Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year.  Mitchell is the third Gatorade North Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Providence Day School. 

 
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Mitchell as North Carolina’s best high school girls basketball player.  Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award announced in March, Mitchell joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners, including Candace Parker (2003-04, 2002-03, & 2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Diana Taurasi (1998-99 & 1999-00, Don Antonio Lugo HS, Calif.), Maya Moore (2005-06 Collins Hill HS, Ga.), Rashanda McCants (2004-05, Asheville HS, N.C.), Shyra Ely (1999-00, Ben Davis HS, Ind.) and Lisa Leslie (1988-89, Morningside HS, Calif.).

 
The 5-foot-11 senior guard led the Chargers to a 29-4 record and a third consecutive North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 3A state championship this past season. Mitchell averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.8 assists. A three-time returning NCISAA Class 3A First Team All-State selection, Mitchell was also a 2010 USA Basketball Women’s U17 World Championship Team trials invitee. She scored 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the 2012 state title-clinching victory.

 
Mitchell has maintained a 3.41 GPA in the classroom. A member of her school’s Cultural Alliance Club, she has volunteered locally as a youth basketball instructor, as a caroler visiting the elderly during the holiday season and on behalf of the Harvest Food Bank.

 
“While Tiffany’s statistics speak for themselves,” said Deb Savino, head coach at Charlotte Latin School. “She plays hard, doesn’t showboat and is a game-changer. She is always working toward getting better as a player. Many players of her caliber do not follow this path their last year in high school. Tiffany is an exceptional player and individual.”
 

Mitchell has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on an athletic scholarship at the University of South Carolina this fall.
 

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
 
Mitchell joins recent Gatorade North Carolina Girls Basketball Players of the Year Cierra Burdick (2010-11 & 2009-10, Butler High School), Asia Williams (2008-09, Hillside), Candace Wood (2007-08, Victory Christian Center School), Cetera DeGraffenreid (2006 – 07, Smoky Mountain), Chante Black (2003-04, East Forsyth), and Camille Little (2002-03, Carver) among the state’s list of former award winners.
 

West Charlotte sponsoring bus trip to Saturday's state final

The West Charlotte Class of 1962 will sponsor a bus trip to Raleigh for Saturday's state championship basketball with Wilmington New Hanover. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum.

The price for the bus trip is $25, which doesn't include the admission.

On Wednesday, from 11 to noon at the school lobby, bus tickets and tickets to the game will be on sale. Bus tickets will also be available at the Burger King at I-85 and Beatties Ford Road from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, call John Love at 980-253-1176 or Turner Sumpter 704-536-3955.

South Meck football coach James Martin resigns, to become asst. at Rock Hill Northwestern

South Mecklenburg football coach James Martin has resigned to become defensive coordinator at Rock Hill Northwestern High.

In a statement that he texted to the Observer, Martin said his resignation from South Meck is effective immediately.

“This has been a family decision,” he wrote, “that myself and my wife have made together. I have enjoyed my years at South and turning this program around.”

Martin started at South Meck in the 2006 season, when he replaced Greg Ganfield. He was the Sabres' fifth coach in eight seasons.

Martin was 26-46 in six seasons, but made turned South Meck into a consistently competitive team. He led the Sabres to the N.C. 4A semifinals in 2008. His 2007 team finished 7-4 but had to forfeit all of its games due to an inadvertent ineligible player.

With his current move, Martin follows another successful N.C. head coach who took an assistant position in South Carolina.

After leading Weddington to a successful season in 2010, head coach Justin Hardin left to take the
offensive coordinator position at Rock Hill South Pointe for the 2011 season. He helped South Pointe win the 2011 state championship.

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South Meck baseball aims to get back on top

In the South Mecklenburg baseball team room, there is a list of goals written in red marker on the white board. There are the obvious ones: win conference, beat Ardrey Kell and Providence, go 3-0 in the Jack Sink Invitational tournament.

Written above those are the goals the team is really focused on: having productive at bats, taking each game seriously and reducing errors. Sabre coach John Tuscan knows if they accomplish those, the rest will come.

"Those are the things we can control," said the third-year coach. "Obviously we want to be up there with (Ardrey Kell) and Providence, but that's not something that we directly control. So we want to control those things we can and then everything else, the wins, will fall into place."

With a team loaded with underclassmen last year, South Meck finished 16-10 overall and 8-6 in the conference, tying for third place with Butler in the Southwestern 4A . Tuscan has nearly the same group back this year and has high expectations for his squad, as long as they don't lose the "blue collar attitude" that the team has had over the last two years.

"We want to come out and be the scrappiest team on the field," he said.

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