The inaugural NC Top 80 was held on March 29, 2014 in Greensboro, NC and I wasn’t able to fully scout the event due to the fact that we were broadcasting six of the games live on NetCast Sports Network, but I still had quite a few notes and I’m putting up them here broken out by each game to try and make it as easy to review as possible. Today I’m posting my notes from Game Five. Note: This is the second game of the day for both teams that we broadcast, so my notes on those players are the same as previously published.
The second game we broadcast on the day was Team 3 vs. Team 6, with the following rosters:
Team 3
| # | Name | Class | Height | School |
| 1 | Darion Slade | 2016 | 5’11” | West Forsyth HS |
| 15 | JJ Watson | 2017 | 6’1″ | Smith HS |
| 16 | Lavar Batts, Jr. | 2017 | 6’1″ | JM Robinson HS |
| 17 | Derek McKnight | 2015 | 6’1″ | Gaston Day |
| 39 | Ian Dubose | 2017 | 6’3″ | Ravenscroft |
| 48 | TyShon Alexander | 2017 | 6’4″ | Concord HS |
| 60 | Harrison Curry | 2015 | 6’6″ | Elite Prep |
| 67 | Micheal Pippins | 2016 | 6’7″ | Conley HS |
| 68 | Quate McKinzie | 2016 | 6’7″ | Harrells Christian |
| 70 | Isaiah Maurice | 2015 | 6’8″ | Bull City Prep |
| Team 6 | ||||
| # | Name | Class | Height | School |
| 1 | Isaiah Blackmon | 2015 | 5’11” | West Charlotte HS |
| 19 | Michael Heuitt, Jr. | 2017 | 6’1″ | Village Christian |
| 20 | Demetrius Troy | 2016 | 6’1″ | Word of God |
| 21 | Jalen Harris | 2016 | 6’1″ | Greenfield |
| 31 | Kwe Parker | 2016 | 6’2″ | Trinity Christian |
| 41 | Akeem Tate | 2016 | 6’3″ | Green Hope |
| 42 | Telligence Johnson | 2017 | 6’3″ | Terry Sanford HS |
| 42 | Kylia Sykes | 2016 | 6’5″ | Trinity Christian |
| 58 | Rayjon Tucker | 2015 | 6’5″ | Northside Christian |
| 71 | Rob Brown | 2015 | 6’8″ | Millbrook HS |
| 79 | Hunter Seacat | 2015 | 6’9″ | Lake Norman HS |
Kylia Sykes (G/F, 6’5″, 2016) Athletic wing who showed a versatile game on the offensive end and an ability to play above the rim. Definitely a college prospect and one to keep an eye on.
Jalen Harris (G, 6′, 2016) Star point guard with explosive athleticism. One of the best point guards at the event and a serious collegiate prospect.
Kwe Parker (G, 6’1″, 2016) Explosive – as in elite – athlete above the rim but also showed an ability to spot up and knock down open threes today. One of the top athletes in attendance.
Rayjon Tucker (G/F, 6’5″, 2015) Easily one of the top players on the entire day. Absolutely lit up opposing teams at times- from windmill dunks to finishing in traffic, Tucker was another player who showed he was one of the top prospects in the Southeast and should be considered a national recruiting prospect. Elite athleticism, excellent build and college size for the perimeter. High motor.
Rob Brown (C, 6’8″, 2015) Good hands, runs the floor and gets involved in multiple ways. Cleans up a lot of misses around the basket and versatile in the post.
Lavar Batts, Jr. (PG, 6’1″, 2017) is an elite passer. He has an ability to find teammates on the break that is uncanny, one of the best passers I’ve seen at the high school level in some time. He does have the ability to create off of the dribble, slashing to the basket at times but where he really impresses is when he carves up the defense on the break with precision passes.
Harrison Curry (SF/PF, 6’6″, 2015) a player who impressed me all day with his ability to be involved at all times. At his size, he was forced to play in the post a lot but also found a way to disrupt the passing lanes, has a great build that he will continue to add to on his way to the college game, and showed an ability to score. Definitely one of my favorite players of the day.
Derek McKnight (PG, 6’1″, 2015) elite crossover and tough to stop on the drive. Slasher, good passer who can run the team but also puts pressure on the defense in the half court with his quickness.
Isaiah Maurice (PF/C, 6’8″, 2015) was matched up against some of the top post players most of the day and held his own. Good hands, good length, active and an ability to score. More of a facing-the-basket PF in today’s game and a lot to like.
Darion Slade (G, 5’11″, 2016) hard nosed combo guard who played effectively both on and off of the ball. Showed an ability to drive the lane but also worked to get open looks from deep. Another guard who likes to put pressure on the defense in the half court with the dribble. Ability to take contact in the lane.