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As promised, we have preseason basketball predictions and a preseason all-SWakeSports team for the year. One of the things I enjoy about basketball season is that all 10 of our local schools are on equal ground — the basketball court.
As we saw last year, Cary Academy and Cary Christian can defeat 4-A public schools like those in the Tri-Nine Conference. So unlike any other sport, we rank all 10 of those teams every week. We've changed the name to "SWakeSports rankings," which should clear up the confusion caused by last year's moniker "TCN/SWW."
Our boys basketball rankings & team: Apex, Middle Creek and Cary Academy are the only teams that return at least two starters and multiple contributors from a playoff team from last year. Apex has the best player in the area in Weston Murphy (pictured left), and one of the best coaches in David Neal. So Apex will be first to start off the season. Thursday's game at home against Millbrook will be a great one to open the season.
Green Hope basketball player Tariq Forte said he will not be eligible for the first semester of the 2009-10 season.
Forte, a transfer from Roslyn High School on Long Island, figured to be an immediate impact player for the Falcons this year. Forte, a junior, is a 6-3 forward who starred in the AAU 16U ranks for the Cary Cougars.
It is not clear why Forte will not be eligible.
The loss means Green Hope has already lost two returning starters to transfer (Kameron Bryant to Panther Creek, Mo Somadjagbi to South Wake Academy) and will now be without a would-be starter for the first semester.
Southern Durham needs one boys basketball and one girls basketball team to participate in the 2009 Spartan Thanksgiving Basketball Classic to be held on Saturday, November 28th at Southern Durham High School.
Southern also needs a boys team to play in the second annual Spartan Christmas Challenge held December 28-30 at Southern Durham High School. Three game guarantee.
Contact Art Richmond at Southern Durham (919-560-3968).
According to a report by the Riverside Press-Enterprise (Calif.), Apex girls' basketball player and reigning 2008-09 Tri-Eight Player of the Year Chloe Wells will be moving back to California for her senior year.
According to a report by the Riverside Press-Enterprise (Cali.), Apex girls' basketball player and reigning 2008-09 Tri-Eight Player of the Year Chloe Wells will be moving back to California for her senior year.
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone in the area if I said that Apex won the team camp at UNCW a few weeks ago. After all, some self-proclaimed pundit picked them to win the Tri-9 next season.
But what should surprise you is that the Cougars did it without its best player, returning first team All-Tri-Eight forward Weston Murphy.
Three seniors graduated. Then, Kameron Bryant's family moves down the road to Panther Creek and Mo Somadjabi transfers to South Wake Academy, meaning the top five Green Hope scorers from last year are leaving. Why does J. Mike Blake think Green Hope will have a better record? Read about the new faces Tariq Forte and Max Povse.
Eighth grader is impressive in California camp.
Panther Creek's new men's basketball coach will be Travis Chapman, Athletics Director Todd Schuler announced today. Chapman spent last year as the team's top assistant coach.