Friday’s Basketball Rdp: Carmel wins big; major UNC/Wake target to play Saturday

Carmel Christian, ranked as high as No. 23 in the nation, started sluggishly in its first game Friday at home.

Fayetteville’s Northwood Temple was tied with Carmel at halftime of the Carmel Christian Tip-Off. But Carmel ramped up the pressure in the third quarter, won the period by 17 points and cruised to a 98-70 win.

Charlotte Country Day transfer DeAngelo Epps had 17 points. Epps has committed to College of Charleston. Senior Myles Pierre, a Houston Baptist commit, had 12.

▪ The tournament, hosted by Carmel Christian and Phenom Hoop Report, was the first high school basketball event to use a shot clock in the state. Phenom Hoop Report spent $3,000 on two shot clocks.

Nation’s No. 1 point guard in town Saturday

The No. 1 point guard high school basketball recruit in the country is playing at Carmel Christian Saturday.

Oak Hill (VA) Academy is ranked as high as No. 2 in some preseason national polls and a big reason why is senior point guard Cole Anthony. Anthony is the son of former UNLV and NBA point guard Greg Anthony.

Last week, Anthony narrowed his potential college choices to Georgetown, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon and Wake Forest. 247Sports ranks Anthony the No. 3 overall player in the nation. Anthony is considered a one-and-done prospect.

Anthony and Oak Hill will play Saturday at 6 p.m. against Moravian Prep in the Carmel Christian Tip-Off.

Friday’s Big 5 Top Performers

Jackson Gabriel, Lincoln Charter: 28 points, six assists four rebounds in a win over Langtree Charter. Gabriel made 8-of-16 3-point attempts.

Donovan Gregory, Carmel Christian: team-high 30 points in a 98-70 win over Fayetteville Northwood Temple.

Marcus Henderson, United Faith: Senior guard, committed to Evansville, had 13 points, five assists and four steals in Friday’s win over Grace Christian. Teammate Anjay Cortez added 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Josh Nickelberry, Fayetteville Northwood Temple: 31 points for the Louisville commit against Northside Christian

AJ Smith, Hickory Grove Christian: 6-4 sophomore had 29 points and 12 rebounds in an 80-73 loss to Asheville Christian at the Carmel tournament. Teammate Jacori Owens, a 6-9 sophomore, had 13 points and five blocks. Raishaun Brown made five 3-points for Asheville.

Friday’s Roundup

Northside Christian 78, WCDS 55: Northside got 15 points from Glenn Bynum, 14 from Cortez Marion-Holmes, 13 from Jayden Seymore and 11 from freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino in a season-opening. Northside allowed 17 points in the first half and led 36-17 at the break.

Ardren Christ School 65, Concord First Assembly 54: First Assembly’s Isaac Boothe had 15 points to lead First Assembly, but Christ School built a big halftime lead (42-21) in an easy win.

Carmel Christian Tip-Off Scores/Pairings

The Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic is Friday and Saturday at Carmel Christian School, 1145 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Matthews.

Friday’s results: Asheville Christian 80, Hickory Grove 73; Arden Christ School 65, Concord First Assembly 54; Carmel Christian 98, Fayetteville Northwood Temple 70

Saturday’s schedule: Asheville Christian vs. Providence Day, 2; Northwood Temple vs. LIberty Heights, 3:30; Dunk contest, 5; Moravian Prep vs. Oak Hill (Va), 6; Carmel Christian vs. Concord Cannon, 7:30

Tickets: $15 Saturday. Kids under 8, free

Friday’s Boxscores

This story was originally published November 10, 2018 at 1:49 AM.