Basketball

ALEX WATKINS TAKING IT ONE GAME AT A TIME
By: Laura Guacci, Ardrey Kell High School

With one year left in high school, Ardrey Kell senior Alex Watkins knows what he has to do to achieve his goal of playing college basketball. Alex is practicing hard and listening to every word his coach, Mike Craft has to offer.  Alex knows this is his last chance to earn a college scholarship.  The son of Clarence and Ann Watkins has dreamed of playing college basketball since he started playing the game and now is the time to reach out and grab the opportunity.(complete story)

ARBORBROOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WRAPS UP BASKETBALL SEASON

Belief, teamwork and dedication are powerful tools.  The fine folks at Arborbrook Christian Academy combined the three positive traits to build a basketball program for their students this season.  The boys and girls teams completed successful seasons and grew as a team and as individuals.

Arborbrook Christian Academy introduced its first girls' basketball team in January 2008.  The Lady Falcons consist of a group of female athletes ranging from grades five through nine.  They believe in teamwork and face new challenges head on.  The girls play with a lot of heart and integrity, and have represented their families, their school and most importantly, their Lord very well.(complete story)

Charlotte Junior Rollin' Bobcats Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

The only 'home' wheelchair basketball tournament this season for Junior players is coming up this weekend (December 15-16th) in Concord.  See game schedule below.

Abilities Unlimited of the Carolinas is hosting the 3rd Annual Winter Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament this weekend at the Cabarrus County Boys & Girls Club in Concord, NC.  Take Interstate 85 North to exit 58, head towards Concord and look for the Winter Classic Signs. (complete story)

Davis Headed to Presbyterian College

Ardrey Kell High School senior basketball player Kevin Davis is always ready for a new challenge.  Following high school graduation in the spring, Kevin will head to Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC to begin what most would call a mountain of a challenge.  Davis recently made a verbal commitment to Presbyterian Head Basketball Coach Gregg Nibert to help the Blue Hose build a successful NCAA Division 1 basketball program.  (complete story)

MATT HELIKSON FOR THREEEEEE…..

When the Ardrey Kell Knights needed a big three point basket last season, basketball coach Mike Craft always knew who to turn to…. Matt Helikson.  The six foot, three inch rising junior carries a shooters touch in his bag of basketball tricks and helped the Knights win more games than expected last season.   Matt is the son of Mark and Linda Helikson and is looking forward to a busy summer of basketball. (complete story)

DETERMINATION KEY TO SUCCESS FOR SEAN BURNS

In the pursuit of athletic success, 13 year old Sean Burns is forced to work a little harder than most teenagers.  The Weddington Middle School seventh grader enjoys basketball, swimming, archery, track and field.  He enjoys school, hanging out with friends and watching television.  By now you may be asking yourself what makes Sean different from the tens of thousands of other South Charlotte area teenagers?  Easy, it’s his determination to overcome some very large obstacles in his pursuit of success. (complete story)

PEDAL TO THE METAL FOR THOMAS NANTZ

The gift of speed is priceless in for athletes. Twelve year old Thomas Nantz is known for being one of the fastest kids on the team in football, basketball and baseball. Thomas a sixth grader at Community House Middle School is the son of Richard and Rhonda Nantz.  He is always looking for ways to use his speed to his advantage. (complete story)

ALEX MANTON IMPROVING WITH HARD WORK

Improvement in sports doesn’t happen without hard work and commitment. For 12 year old Alex Manton, hard work has placed him in position to play on two of the top area AAU basketball and baseball teams.  (complete story)

Photos from St. Matthew Wildcats Halftime Game at Davidson College

LAUREN STEELE … HEART OF A CHAMPION

Golf and Basketball? Clearly an odd combination of sports to find success in. Leave it to Ardrey Kell High School freshman, Lauren Steele to excel in both.  The energetic 15 year old has managed to put together strong varsity seasons on the links and the court.  Lauren, the daughter of Chris Steele and the late Doug Steele works hard to find athletic success. (complete story)

ERICA AND RYAN CHANDLER …WALKING IN BIG FOOTSTEPS

When your older brother is seven foot one, and the second pick of the 2001 NBA draft directly out of high school, it sure to provide very large footsteps to follow. 

Ryan and Erica Chandler are very proud to walk in the footsteps of Tyson Chandler. (complete story)

TATE SMALL AND HIS FAMILY COME UP BIG IN SPORTS

To say the Small family has come up big in athletics would be an understatement.  Starting at the top with the Small parents, Glenn and Patty, athletics have played quite a role in their lives.  Glenn, a Myers Park High School Graduate,  played football for Duke University and Patty excelled in volleyball for the Blue Devils.   Their athletic abilities have been passed on to all five children, Starr, Cami, Shane, Parker and Tate.(complete story)

13u/7th Grade Charlotte Mustangs Basketball

The Charlotte Mustangs Basketball Club is a volunteer organization focused on providing an opportunity for Charlotte NC area youth who have a passion for basketball.  The purpose of this organization is to allow young players who want to play competitive basketball to develop and enhance their skills by playing in local and regional YBOA, USSSA, and AAU tournaments. (complete story)

BUILDING THE KNIGHTS CASTLE ONE SHOT AT A TIME

No one ever said it would be easy for Ardrey Kell High School to compete as a brand new high school, especially without a senior class.  Older, more established schools were going to do their best to keep the new school in its place and pick up easy wins against the Knights.  (complete story)

Crestdale Middle School vs Community House Middle School Boys Basketball

Community House Middle School Cheerleaders vs Crestdale Middle School

lSt. Matthew Basketball Photos – 6th Grade Game – Roakes vs Balbirnie

Ardrey Kell Knights Upset Providence Panthers in Dramatic Fashion

The Knights of Ardrey Kell rebounded from an 18-0 deficit at the start of the game to upset the Panthers of Providence.  Head Coach Mike Craft refused to let his team give up after falling behind 18-0. Prince Shembo scored the first basket for the Knights to start the rally.   Hard work, defense and ball control were the contributing factors in the Knights march to Victory.   Earlier in the evening The Lady Knights topped the Lady Panthers in Varsity Play. Photos

CAITLIN MCDERMOTT OVERCOMES ALL OBSTACLES

Like many South Charlotte kids, 13 year old Caitlin McDermott loves to play basketball.  Caitlin enjoys scoring points and playing defense and “rolling” her way to a layup. 

The oldest of Jim and Fran McDermott’s three daughters is a basketball player for the nationally ranked Rollin’ Bobcats Wheelchair Basketball Team. (complete story)

Photos from the December 27 South Charlotte Sports Basketball Camp

Photos from the December 27 South Charlotte Sports Basketball Camp

Recap of Day 2 of The 2006 Winter Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Saint Matthew 6th Grade Basketball Team Photos

CHARLOTTE ROLLIN’ BOBCATS HOLD SHOOT-A-THON

…. Caitlin McDermott, local 8th grader, a key team member

The 1st annual Charlotte Rollin’ Bobcats Hoopfest Shoot-A-Thon was a big success for the Prep and Junior Varsity Wheelchair Basketball Teams. Nine members of the Rollin’ Bobcats Junior teams shot nearly 4,000 baskets in 2 hours.  This fundraiser helped raise almost $10,000 for their upcoming season. This year the team will travel to six different tournaments in six states covering over 9,500 miles of travel between November 2006 and March 2007.  (complete story)

CHARLOTTE ROYALS 13U BOYS PLACE THIRD IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Charlotte Royals 13U Boys basketball team traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana for the USSSA National Championship last week.  With brilliant play from every team member, the boys came away with an impressive third place finish in the tournament. Head Coach Sean Kilmartin led the team of local boys all the way to the semifinals before losing to the eventual national championship team.

After a week of pool play and seeding, the Royals found themselves in the unenviable position of having to play an unprecedented six games in one day!  The team, made up of local 7th grade players, displayed an incredible example of athletic determination and focus, not only completing all six games (four of which were in a row) but winning all six. (complete story)

SEAN KILMARTIN LEADS TEAM USA SELECT BASKETBALL

Any basketball conversation in South Charlotte is bound to include the name Sean Kilmartin.  The longtime Charlotte resident has been involved in every aspect of the game of basketball.  Kilmartin has been on quite a basketball journey.  After a successful high school career in the Triad area, Kilmartin played basketball for Appalachian State University.  Following his time as a Mountaineer, Kilmartin played basketball overseas before returning home to North Carolina to start a family with his wife Jane.  When not at work with his financial planning and investment business, R.M. Stark Co., Sean can be found coaching basketball in gyms across South Charlotte.  Sean works with his two boys Ryan and Alex on various teams, but also lends a hand to many other teams and players. (complete story)

PROVIDENCE DAY SCHOOL RAISING FUNDS FOR FORMER BASKETBAL COACH AND HIS FAMILY

David Carrier will always hold a special place in his heart for the Providence Day School Family. After recently losing his house to fire, just weeks after accepting a new basketball head coaching job at Kerr-Vance Academy, the Providence Day family came to his rescue.  They began raising funds to help the Carrier family, to date the total exceeds $20,000 according to the Charlotte Observer.   

Carrier may not be on staff at Providence Day next season, but he will always be a part of the Charger family.  If you would like to help the Carrier family, call Providence Day School at 704-887-7041  .  For more information, check out the May 19th edition of the Charlotte Observer.

Congratulations to the Carolina Kings 15 and under AAU Basketball Team for winning the  2006 Carolina Challenge Basketball Tournament.   Less than two months into their existence, Coach Jonathan Hardin’s team captured five straight wins to claim their first championship.  A special congratulations to the 15U Carolina Challenge Tournament MVP, Michael Murphy.   Look for a story on Coach Hardin and how he built the team in the first issue of the South Charlotte Sports Report in early June.

PARK AND RECREATION’S BASKETBALL CAMPOFFERS YOUNGSTERS A HEAD START IN HOOPS

Charlotte, NC – Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is now taking registration for its annual, “Big Step” summer youth basketball camp for boys and girls, ages 5-13.  This camp will be held July 11-16, 2005, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Camp Greene Park, 1221 Alleghany St.

Registration runs through June 24, 2005 and costs $50.

To register or for more information contact Ken Koonce at 704 353-1247 or kooncke@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

Charlotte, NC – Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is now registering teams for its Smokin’ Summer Adult Basketball League at Amay James Recreation Center, 2425 Lester St.  Play starts June 12 and is on Monday & Wednesday nights at 6:30pm & 7:30pm. 

Team registration fee is $300, and the league is open to the first eight teams to register before June 2. Teams may have up to 15 players.

If you have the new ‘JORDANS’ or the new ‘KOBIES’ and you don’t mind getting hot and sweaty, this is the league for your team!

For more information, contact Ken Koonce at 704-353-1247 or email at kooncke@co.mecklenburg.nc.us