So how did Mikey Williams, Lake Norman Christian do in their national television debut

Lake Norman Christian played three games in a high-level high school basketball tournament in Arizona this weekend. It finished 1-2.

Led by 5-star national recruit Mikey Williams, Lake Norman Christian lost 71-60 to Team Sizzle (MN). The game was broadcast nationally, live on ESPN2.

Team Sizzle’s Chet Holmgren, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2021, finished with 18 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 wing, is being considering schools like North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio State, Memphis and Gonzaga.

Williams, a 6-2 sophomore guard, had 25 points for Lake Norman Christian, which played as the STORM in the tournament, which was for travel teams. Williams had 15 points in the second half.

The Top Flight Invite, a new preseason basketball event, ran Friday-Sunday at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. It featured eight club basketball teams from six states.

Williams, a five-star combo guard who is ranked No. 3 in the country by ESPN in the class of 2023, led a team which included nine Division I recruits — such as 5-10 sophomore guard Trey Green, 6-7 senior A.J. Allenspach (who has committed to Army), 6-8 junior Shane Fernald, 6-9 Georgia transfer Joyful Hawkins, 7-0 senior Jonathan Kurtas and 6-5 junior J.P Haggarty. AJ Allenspach did not play due to injury.

In September, Williams, the 6-3, 176-pound high school sophomore, announced on Twitter that he was transferring from a school in San Diego to Lake Norman Christian in Charlotte. He also garnered national headlines this month when he helped rapper and musician Drake launch an international clothing line.

▪ In their game Saturday, the STORM beat Arizona-based Tri-Star 62-51. The STORM will play Team Sizzle from Minnesota Sunday at 5 p.m. That game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

▪ The STORM lost 61-60 to Orange BG in its first game Friday. Williams missed a shot at the buzzer. The STORM led 60-53 with 1:54 to play -- after a pair of Williams’ 3-pointers and a Trey Green driving layup -- but it didn’t score again. Green finished with 20 points and seven assists.

Other stars in the Top Flight Invite

Former Cannon School star Jaden Bradley, who led the Cougars to the 2020 state championship, will played for National Spotlight, a team from Bradenton. Florida. Bradley, ranked No. 6 among juniors by ESPN, will play high school basketball for national power IMG (Fla). Bradley has offers from schools like North Carolina, Wake Forest, Clemson and Kansas.

Also on Bradley’s team for the Top Flight Invite will be three top 50 seniors — No. 7 Moussa Diabete, No. 18 Efton Reid, No. 26 Charles Bediako — and Syracuse commit Benny Williams, who is ranked No. 51 nationally. The team also has No. 9 junior Jarace Walker, No. 34 junior Eric Dailey and No. 36 junior Jett Howard.

▪ The COVID-19 pandemic prevented shoe companies Adidas, Nike and Under Armour from hosting their annual travel basketball circuits this year. Those showcases bring together the nation’s top talent in the spring and summer.

Absolute Basketball Fall League Wraps

Sunday will be the final day of the Absolute Basketball Fall League at Comenius School in Fort Mill. The month-long league will finish with champions named in the Gold, Silver or Bronze bracket.

“It has been a sight to see the players come out and play with some structure and some familiar faces,” tournament director Jamie Shaw said. “Coming out of their travel ball seasons, it was great to see them in the gym, competing, and playing with a passion. What has been even more special with this league has been the recruiting it has led to. It was good to see the sidelines filled with non-D1 coaches and the live steams with a steady presence of the D1 guys. Offers have been handed out and players have been seen, at the end of the day, that is what it is all about.”

▪ The regular season MVP of the league was Cannon School senior Jarvis Moss, a 6-4 wing.

2021 Jarvis Moss, with outstanding play from other Charlotte area standouts such as Jonas Aidoo, Kheni Briggs, Elijah Gray, Peyton Gerald, Trae Benham, Jordan Marsh, Sam Cogan and so many more.

Team Seedings and key players

Gold Bracket

1. Team AKK – 6’8” 2021 Peyton Gerald, 6’8” 2022 Elijah Gray, 6’3” 2021 Knoah Carver, 6’1” 2022 Evan Smith

2. Team Cougars – 6’4” 2021 Jarvis Moss, 7’0” 2022 Christian Reeves, 6’5” 2022 DJ Nix, 6’7” 2021 Elijah Ormiston

3. Team Liberty – 7’0” 2021 Jonas Aidoo, 6’9” 2021 Isaac Farah, 6’4” 2021 PJ Edwards, 6’3” 2022 Elijah Jamison

4. Team RRR – 6’4” 2021 TJ McNair, 5’11” 2021 Tobias Forte

5. Team Academy – 6’3” 2021 Trae Benham (Lipscomb), 6’4” 2022 Logan Threatt, 6’2” 2021 Javian Canaday, 6’6” 2021 Tyler Fearne

6. Team WW – 6’5” 2022 Chase Lowe, 5’11 2022 AJ Cook, 6’1” 2021 Brock Bowen

Silver Bracket

1. Team York – 5’11” 2022 Kory Davis, 6’7” 2022 Jimeion Brown, 5’11” 2022 Kendall Davis

2. Team IP – 5’11” 2021 Jalen Hinton, 6’2” 2022 Landon King

3. Team ZVB – 5’9” 2022 Corey Gaines

4. Team CXM – 5’11” 2021 Chris Hunter, 6’2” 2022 Marcus Morgan, 6’4” 2022 Rasheed Baldwin

5. Team HRB – 5’11” 2022 Jordan Marsh

6. Team MCM – 6’4” 2021 Merdi Asumani

Bronze Bracket

1. Team LCE – 6’3” 2022 Sam Cogan, 6’0” 2022 Marcus Farley

2. Team BLBW – 6’4” 2022 Kheni Briggs

3. Team KMM - 5’11” 2022 Isaiah Tate

4. Team PRP – 6’7” 2023 Sean Rose, 6’3” 2023 Dillen Miller

5. Team WCW – 6’1” 2022 Jaylan Jackson

6. Team LKNC – 6’1” 2021 Callahan Reed

All games will be played at Comenius School. The event will be open to the public and it will continue to adhere to strict COVID protocols. Entry will be $10 at the door with children 5 and under free.

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Elite Girls League continues

The Carolina RISE girls fall league continues Sunday at Carolina Courts. The league features many of the area’s top girls high school players.

Schedule below

Teams:

1) Lady Cubs JV Team

Lady Panthers (Gold) Varsity Team

High School:

Providence

Players Profile:

Nyla McGill (2021) Yale Commit

Eva Butler (2022) Strong Lead Guard. Can really defend!

Delanie Hill (2024) High IQ PG. Next level interest already.

2) Lady Ponies

High School:

Myers Park

Player Profile:

Nia Nelson (2021) Howard Commit

Mia Xerras (2023) All-Conference as freshmen. Holds interest from Davidson UNCW, Rhode Island.

3) Lady Cougars (Red)

High School:

Charlotte Catholic

Player Profile:

Blanca Thomas (2024) Considered a top post player in her class across America. Has interest from Davidson, Michigan, Michigan State.

4) Lady Cavs

High School:

Cuthbertson

Player Profile:

Maddie Dillinger (2021) Lenoir Rhyne Commit

Kamaria Sheriff (2021) Saint Leo Commit

Ruby Williams (2022) Holds offer from Lipscomb

Reagan Iovino (2023) State Record for most Made 3pt for freshmen. School record for 3pt fgs in a season.

5) Lady 20

HIGH SCHOOL

Latin

Player Profile:

Neely Grace Tye (2021) Knock down shooter.

6) Lady Xtreme

High School

Parkwood

Player Profile:

Shimiya Taylor (2022) All-Conference SCC

Jade Washington (2023) All-Conference SCC (as freshmen)

7) Lady Patriots

High School

Independence

Player Profile:

Braylyn Milton (2021) Cincinnati Commit

Jessica Timmons (2021) NC State Commit

8) Lady Road Runners

High School

Cannon

Player Profile:

Reigan Richardson (2021) Georgia Commit

Sydney Wood (2021) Denison Commit

9) Lady Panthers (Gold)

High School

Piedmont

Player Profile:

Ashley Caraway (2021) All-Conference SCC. Has interest from Wingate, Montreat, Ferrum.

10) Lady Mavericks

Hickory Ridge

Player Profile:

Kennedy Calhoun (2021) Longwood Commit

11) Lady Sparks

South Meck

Player Profile:

Evie Miller (2021) Plays hard and is always in the right spots. Competes at a high level always.

Taylor Stehmeier (2022) Transfer from Myers Park. Handles the rock and will give depth at guard position

12) Lady Cougars (Orange)

High School

Jesse Carson

13) Lady Spartans

High School

Providence Day School

Player Profile:

Taylor Sanchez (2021) Holds Offer from Oberlin College. Senior Leader who plays smart & competes.

Chandler Brooks- (2023) Point-Forward. Great pace and super high IQ. Next level interest.

14) Lady Falcons

High School

Arborbrook Christian

Player Profile:

Abriel Thrash (2022) Interest from Lenior Rhyne, UNCP, Catawba, Wingate.

Monique Cepeda (2022) Offers From Montreat & Columbia College

15) Cabarrus Elite

High School

Central Cabarrus

Player Profile:

Mariah Barrie (2022) holds offer from Johnson C Smith

16) Lady Knights

High School

Ardrey Kell

Player Profile:

Lucy Vanderbeck (2021) holds offers from Converse, Case Western Reserve University, Bridgewater College

17. Lady Trojans

High School

Northwest Cabarrus

Player Profile:

Aliciah Fields (2021) 6’0 impact player. Can really compete. Next level interest.

This story was originally published October 15, 2020 at 12:47 PM.

Langston Wertz Jr.

The Charlotte Observer

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Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription