Top Talent in North Carolina and South Carolina – Part 4

By Justin Byerly

Josh Smith 6’8″ 245 C 2012 Olympic HS (NC)
The Clemson University commit is a beast in the paint for one of North Carolina’s most talented teams. He averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds as a junior last season for the Trojans. He had offers from The Citadel, Appalachian State University, Drexel University and Gardner-Webb University.

Jaylen Reid 6’7″ 185 F 2013 Rock Hill HS (SC)
Reid is getting interest from The University of Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, College of Charleston and Clemson University he confirmed to me via text message. He also stated “High Point told me I am their top prospect for 2013”. So far this season he has scored 18 points against Chester HS (SC) and 25 points against South Pointe (SC). He is the son of former UNC star JR Reid.

Mikel Harvey 6’0″ 160 G 2012 Perquimans HS (NC)
The 6’0 PG has started out the season strong with stat lines of 33 points, 11 rebounds, 7 steals and 4 assists followed by 26 points and 7 rebounds in the first week of games. He scored 39 points and had 13 rebounds last Friday (the 2nd) in a win which avenged a loss from last week. Harvey said he is not sure of what school’s have been contacting his coach at this time. Harvey should be a low to mid major college basketball player, and should receive interest from a host of Division Two schools. Harvey averaged nearly 22 points and 7 rebounds last season for the Hertford, NC school.

Austin Hatfield 6’0 170 G 2014 South Davidson (NC)
The sophomore averaged nearly 20 points per game last season for South Davidson HS, his identical twin brother Taylor (is listed below). Hatfield informed me that Virginia Tech and James Madison have been in to see him and his brother work out over the start of practices last month. He said ” I have been receiving letters and invites to games from Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Appalachian State University, Tulane University, UNC-Charlotte and about a dozen more”. Asked on who is showing the most interest Austin responded “Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Appalachian State, Tulane and Stanford University”. Through the first three games this season, Austin has scored 22 points, 17 points and 20 points.

Taylor Hatfield 6’0 170 G 2014 South Davidson (NC)
Taylor is getting the same interest as his brother listed (above). Taylor averaged nearly 17 points last season at South Davidson HS.

Martin Alston 6’3 180 F 2012 Granville Central HS (NC)
Alston, who is also a standout football player for Granville Central was named all-state last season as junior. In his first game this season Alston had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 4 steals on Nov. 26th. He averaged nearly 14 points and 11 rebounds last season for Granville. He informed me “I dont really have schools recruiting me right now”, on November 27. He was named to the ESPN ALL STATE Watch List this season for the 2011-2012 season.

Donte Clark 6’4″ 175 G 2013 Kennedy Charter HS (NC)
Ranked as one of the top twenty point guards in the country by some outlets, Clark now has offers from East Carolina University, Virginia Tech, Gardner-Webb University, Radford University, Wofford, UT-Chattanooga, High Point University, and Jacksonville University. He informed me Dec 4th that “Virginia Tech is on me pretty hard”, and he has already took an unofficial visit to Blacksburg, VA. Clark is one of four or five Division One prospects at Kennedy Charter School in Charlotte, NC and should be considered one of the most talented teams in North Carolina. He transferred from Queens Grant HS in Charlotte while boasting a 15 point scoring average last season. Sounds like Virginia Tech is where Clark may likely end up.

Luquon Choice 6’1″ 205 G 2012 Laurens HS (SC)
A deadly three point specialist, Choice has offers from Newberry College (SC) and North Greenville College (SC). He has been named one of the top 5 players in SC, by South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. He is a four-year starter for Laurens HS and Coach Mark Freeze calls Choice “one of the hardest working players that he has ever been around”. Choice is looking for another strong season and should add more offers as the season goes on. Scored 24pts Dec 2nd against

Brandon Clyburn 6’8″ 195 F/C 2012 Southwest Guilford HS (NC)
Clyburn is a long slender forward, that has a nice three-point shot for a 6’8″ guy. Runs the court well, and has a nice post game with a nice baby hook shot when in the paint. He has been receiving the most interest from East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, Navy, Jacksonville University, High Point University and the Citadel. Clyburn transferred from Greensboro powerhouse Dudley HS this season.

Connor Burchfield 6’2″ 160 G 2014 Concord HS (NC)
Burchfield and Concord are off to a 2-0 start so far this season. He has scored 12 points in the first game and 21 in the second, against a strong Mt. Tabor team. Connor informed me that he is getting a little interest from Mercer University and Western Carolina University outside Sylva, NC.

Gary Clark 6’7″ 205 F 2014 Clayton HS (NC)
A very talented sophomore, Clark is an explosive force when he gets to the rim. He in formed me that he has interest from East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, University of South Carolina, Wake Forest University, North Carolina State and Virginia. He also informed that South Carolina came to his game last week and watched him play. Clark will continue to improve and should be one of North Carolina’s top prospects in a very strong 2014 class. Gary informed me that North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest were his top three colleges.

Issac Copeland 6’6″ 180 F Ravenscroft HS (NC)
Ranked by ESPN as the 24th best prospect in North Carolina for the 2013 class, Copeland let me know that he has been offered a scholarship East Carolina University and American University. He is one of the best shooters in the class of 2013. He also has interest from Wichita State University, William & Mary, and Florida State University. Should be another talented team for Ravenscroft. which is based in the Raleigh area.

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