Langston Wertz’s piece in yesterday’s Big O about local high school hoops mentioned Traynham and sounds like he’s back at Vance. A lot of other good stuff as well.
[b]Starting five[/b]
Brandyn Curry, Hopewell, 6-1, Sr., G: ME-CA 7 4A Player of the Year (17 ppg, 6 apg, 4 spg, 4 rpg) has committed to Harvard and will lead the best team in school history this season.
Andre Marhold, North Mecklenburg, 6-7, Sr., F: Heavily recruited forward is freakishly athletic. Averaged 17 points last season and led the Vikings to the N.C. 4A Western Regionals.
Marquis Rankin, Vance, 6-1, So., G: You could pick any of Vance’s three strong guards here (Daryl Traynham and Jacoby Davis are the other two). All are Division I recruited and hope to get Vance to its second N.C. 4A title game in three years.
Odell Turner, Myers Park, 6-8, Sr., C: Working with NBA legend Bobby Jones has turned him into one of the area’s best. One of five starters back from powerhouse last season.
Bernard Sullivan, North Mecklenburg, 6-8, So., F: Named a top-10 camper at the adidas regional top 150 camp, Sullivan appears to be past knee problems that plagued him during an up-and-down freshman season.
Area regional favorites
Hopewell: Sectional finalist returns nearly every key player and has added size.
Morganton Freedom: Old-school 4A power is loaded at the guard spot.
Myers Park: Mustangs are deep and talented and they have the size. Wing Quan Sturdivant will cause matchup problems.
North Meck: The region’s top program the past five years is ready to make a run at a third state title game in five years.
Vance: On paper this is the most talented team the school has ever had. There are at least six Division I recruits.