West Charlotte is Coming to Represent

Ron Bailey, Publisher

This North Carolina crew is arriving at the NHSHF undaunted.

December 7, 2009 - The Lions of West Charlotte (NC) are a known entity in the Tar Heel State, and travel to the National High School Hoops Festival ready for action. The trip first starts with the team's coach, Baronton Terry.

"I'm from D.C." said the Northwest native of why his current school is traveling up north to play. He's done the same with other teams, including South Mecklenberg, where he played National Christian (another Festival participant).

His players aren't privy to the history of D.C. area hoops, but according to Terry "They know the big name players from AAU. That's a high AAU area". True to that is his best player, future Wake Forest guard J.T. Terrell dialoguing with Festival opponent Kendall Marshall (of Bishop O'Connell). "Kendall talked to J.T. already. They've been talking I guess" he providing, a provides the match up intrigue.

West Charlotte standout and future Wake Forest Demon Deacon, J.T. Terrell (photo property of Hoopmixtape.com)

Expect the Lions, according to Terry, to "play up and down", which entails "a three guard offense" where "all four can play the point". Defensively, West Charlotte "will pressure all over the court".

Terry has the ballers to do it.

First there is Terrell, a 6'3" performer who over the course of this season "has had 21, 32, 31, 41, 32, 33 and 20 points" leading Terry to joke "He puts it up, buddy".

Terrell is joined by junior point guard Jacoby Davis, who according to Terry is a player making the transition to a lead guard role transition. A recent transfer, "Old Miss, Clemson, VCU, and Winthrop" have expressed interest, with High Point, Eastern Carolina and South Carolina offering a scholarship opportunity.

Sophomore small forward Julius Hamilton, a 6'3" standout that plays every position besides center is getting looks from UNC-Charlotte and Clemson, while Florida State has sent mail. Recent transfer, senior point man Brandon Richardson, standing 5'8" and running an estimated 4.3 second forty yard dash "is both quick and fast" according to his coach.

It looks like West Charlotte, holders of a 6-0 record, have the chops to back up any talk.