It's getting close to decision-making time for Corprew

Over the course of the season, Deshawn Corprew of Quality Education Academy (NC)

emerged as a legitimate major-college basketball prospect. 

   It was 10 months ago when Deshawn Corprew of Quality Education Academy (NC) made a summer trip that planted the seeds for what proved to be a spectacular basketball season. The 6-5, 180 pounds shooting guard opened a lot of eyes at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, which annually attracts the best of the best college prospects.

   As a late selection to the camp, Corprew came in without any fanfare to speak of. But after four days of showcasing his talents against elite-level players, there was no doubt that he deserved to be ranked among the nation’s best. Some scouting services have him ranked among the top 60. He was 98^th in ESPN’s Top 100.

   Corprew added to his resume considerably as the prime factor for the Pharaohs, who recently advanced to the Grind Session’s national championship game before bowing out to Victory Rock Prep (Fla.). Over the course of the season, Corprew became a prize recruit for a host of major-college programs, which included Kansas, Florida State, Cincinnati, Texas A&M, Nebraska and Missouri – to name a few.

  

Corprew shot 47 percent from 3-point range

in his final season of high school hoops.

   Here’s a brief summary of observations from the college scouts: Corprew is described as athletic and quick enough to defend any position on the perimeter. Offensively, he has the complete package as a ball handler who can score off the bounce, and from mid-range as well as from beyond the 3-point arc. He is a physical player who routinely finishes at the basket in spite of body contact.

   For the season, Corprew, a senior from Norfolk, Va., averaged 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

   There was never a question in coach Isaac Pitts’s mind that Corprew would prove himself as one of the top high school players in the country. “Deshawn has always been a very good player,” Pitts said. “The biggest area of improvement is basketball IQ. For him, it became a thinking game.

   “He performed at a level which made everybody around him better. Not only that, but he learned h

ow to pick his spots (to take over a game) and make the right plays at the right time.”

   Looking back on last summer, Corprew realized that compared to many of his camp counterparts, he was an unknown and definitely not on the recruiting radar screen of a lot of big-time college basketball schools. As far as he was concerned, that was never an issue. All he wanted was the chance to show what he could do.

   “They gave me a chance, so I had to take advantage of it,” said Corprew. “I went out and played and people respected my game. That’s why I kept doing the things it takes to get better and I continue to develop my game. I wasn’t really surprised by what happened at camp last summer. I always knew that I had it in me. So, I just brought it out when my opportunity presented itself.”

  Now that the basketball season is over, Corprew is going through the process of deciding where he will play in college. If he has narrowed his choices of schools, he’s not making that known at this time. The signing period for Division I basketball is April 13 through May 18.

  Initially, there was nothing for Corprew to consider in terms of picking a college. That’s because prior to the start of the season, he verbally committed to Arkansas-Little Rock. Two months later, however, he rescinded his commitment. “I didn’t take my (recruiting) visit, so I think I made the decision too early,” Corprew said in November. “So, I’ll take all of my visits and see what they have to offer.”

Don't sell the Camels short in 1-A Regional final

Armani Hampton leads the Camels who are having the best season in school history.

   It’s safe to say that that few people believed that Atkins’ girls would make an extended run in this year’s Class 1-A state basketball playoffs. Through four rounds of postseason play, the Camels have delivered stunning victories as the West Region’s No. 12 seed.

  Atkins pulled off an eyebrow-raising 48-44 upset win over top-seeded Hiwassee Dam earlier this week to confirm its status as a bona fide contender for a state title. Coach Louis Lowery’s crew takes the next step on Saturday, when they face archrival Winston-Salem Prep in the regional final at Joel Coliseum (2 p.m. tip-off).

   The winner earns a trip to Chapel Hill to play for the state championship on March 12.

   “If we play the way we’re capable of playing, I like our chances against anybody,” said Lowery. “Everybody on this team has a role and we’re playing together and we’re playing with a lot of intensity.”

   There’s no doubt that Atkins will be the underdog in most people’s minds. After all, Winston-Salem Prep is the defending state champ, and for the most part, the Phoenix appears to be primed to win back-to-back state titles.

   Even so, don’t overlook Atkins (21-6). Over the past three years, the Camels have given Prep (26-3) all it can handle every time these schools get together on a basketball court. This year, for instance, Prep won both regular-season games, but in each case, the outcome could’ve turned out differently.

Atkins has proven itself as a genuine state title contender.

   The Phoenix beat the Camels 44-37 on its home floor and managed to squeeze out a 35-34 victory in the second meeting at the Atkins gym. But that’s not all. A year ago – the same season in which Prep won its first state title in girls’ hoops – the Camels earned a split by winning one of their two regular-season games. The year before that, the teams were 1-1 when they went head-to-

head.

   “We’ve had some tough losses to Prep,” said Lowery. “But now we get another chance. Now, we’ll get to see how much we’ve learned from our mistakes. This group has gone through some adversity, but they’ve become better and they’re stronger because of that.”

   Based on the recent history of these teams, folks can expect a low-scoring, defensive struggle. Both teams have quickness in the backcourt and strong performers on the front line. The outcome, though, is likely to come down to composure, turnovers and free-throw shooting.

   No doubt, Prep, No. 2 in the West Region, is formidable. But so is Atkins.

   As the 12^th-seed, the Camels have raised their level of play in posting road wins over No. 4 Elkin and top-seeded Hiwassee Dam. What’s most impressive is the defense. In those two games, the Camels held the opposition to 38.5 points per game.

   Even though Atkins is viewed as this year’s Cinderella team, Lowery isn’t surprised by the results. A year ago, the Camels had the look of a serious contender, but fell short in a shocking upset loss to Bishop McGuinness in the opening round of the playoffs.

   It was a disappointing time because Atkins had two convincing wins over McGuinness during the regular season. The surprise loss wasn’t a case of the Camels being overconfident. It was a case of being idle for a week-and-a-half because of a snow storm that forced all schools in Forsyth County to close.

Louis Lowery, Atkins coach

   Since the schools were closed, no team was allowed to practice, in accordance with the rules issued by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. When the Camels took the court against the Villains, it was evident that the lengthy time off caused major problems. They were woefully out of sync and clearly rusty.

   “It took all of us a while to get over that,” Lowery recalled. “We moved on, but the kids remembered the experience. That’s why they’ve continued to push. All of that came to play in our last win. They endured under adverse circumstances on the road. And they stayed in the fight all the way until the very end. That was a very tough game.”

   Armani Hampton, a 5-11 forward, is Atkins’ marquee player. For her career, Hampton, who signed with Appalachian State, has averaged over 15 points a game. Her length, quickness and court savvy make her a difficult cover for opposing defenders.

   Hampton, however, is not a solo act.

   Saryna Carpenter, a 5-11 power forward, is a solid two-way player in the post. Her ability to hit shots from the perimeter makes her especially lethal. In the middle, 6-1 center Chandler Robinson isn’t known for her scoring. What she does best is snatch rebounds and block shots. As an inside presence, Robinson is equally effective at altering shots whenever opponents take the ball to the basket.

   The backcourt has more than held its own. Tyler Mercer, Tyler Davenport and Mikalah Muhammad have all had their superlative moments this season.

In the win over Hiwassee Dam, Mercer’s scoring and assists accounted for 10 points in a decisive 14-0 run in the third quarter that helped Atkins take control of the game.

Morgan State: Immediate playing time for Gentry?

Brian Gentry is a physical receiver with speed.

It's not all that often that incoming freshmen are expected to come in and produce immediately in their first year of college competition. And for good reason.

Making the successful transition from high school to college isn't easy. In many instances, 18-year old athletes aren't ready to deal with the psychological ups and downs associated with living up to lofty expectations.

Brian Gentry, who signed with Morgan State earlier this year, embraces the challenge. The former East Forsyth wide receiver possesses an inner drive which pushes him to deliver beyond expectations. Even as a college rookie, there's no denying how the Bears view him as a coveted prospect who can make his mark this fall.

Gentry, 6-feet-3, 200 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, but equally important are his 37-inch vertical leap, sure hands and physicality. His skill set will allow the Bears to move him around in different formations to create favorable match-ups for Morgan State's offense.

A look at Morgan State's web site makes it clear what the expectations are for Gentry, who played in the East-West All-Star Game last month. On the website, Gentry is a described as an additional big target with exceptional breakaway speed who will contend for immediate playing time.

Gentry was a three-sport athlete
at East Forsyth High School (NC).

“As a receiver, I feel like I have an advantage over anyone who guards me,” said Gentry, a two-time all-league pick in the Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference. “I don't say that to sound like I'm cocky. But I've learned how to use my size and speed to get open and make plays.”

Gentry was recruited by Wake Forest and UNC Charlotte, but decided that Morgan State would be the best for him. “There was a strong connection there, which really got my attention,” he said.

During his time at East Forsyth, Gentry, who also played basketball and ran track, produced noteworthy numbers over the past two seasons. During that stretch, he had 1,400 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, which included 17 scoring receptions.

As a junior, Gentry wasted no time in putting his game-breaking skills on full display. In his first two games of the 2013 season, he scored six touchdowns, which included four TD catches and one scoring pass.

Even though much is expected of Gentry, he's not taking anything for granted. He fully understands that gaining the full respect of his coaches and teammates is all about performance.

“I'm coming as an underdog and I'm starting out all over again (to prove myself),” he explained. “There's a lot to learn. Being the underdog is something I'll have to get used to because I'm so accustomed to being on the field all the time. The key for me is to keep working. I'm looking to play right away.”

Although Gentry has chosen to attend a school that's 370 miles from his Kernersville, NC home, he'll get his opportunities to play in his home state during his career. Since Morgan State is a member of the MEAC, he'll return when the Bears visit North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T.

Hawkins has family ties with East Carolina football

Dedrick Hawkins covers a lot of ground at the safety position.

Editor's Note: This article appears in The Chronicle SportsWeek section

for Thursday, August 13.

On recruiting visits, an athlete's perception of a school's environment plays a vital role on which school the athlete will choose. Such was the case for Glenn defensive back Dedrick Hawkins, a three-time All-Piedmont Triad Conference pick.

Hawkins entertained offers from Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and The Citadel,but opted to look elsewhere. Eventually, he narrowed his choices to UNC Charlotte and East Carolina, two schools that didn't offer scholarships. It didn't matter to him that he would have to try-out as a walk-on.

“For me, the atmosphere is so important,” said Hawkins, a 6-feet-3, 195 pounds safety. “I chose East Carolina because of the high level of competition. Being in that kind environment will help to bring out the very best in me.”

Hawkins will try-out at ECU as a walk-on.

East Carolina has played in eight bowl games over the last nine seasons. Another plus is that Hawkins has an older brother, Josh, who plays for the Pirates. The elder Hawkins is a senior and two-year starter who ranks among the top cornerbacks in the country.

A year ago, Josh Hawkins, also a Glenn graduate, was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Heisman Trophy equivalent for defensive backs. Four years ago, Josh Hawkins made East Carolina's roster as a walk-on. This year, he's listed by several national publications as a pre-season all-league pick for the American Athletic Conference.

“We've never played on the same team before, so I'm looking forward to having a great experience,” said the younger Hawkins, who recorded six tackles in the East-West All-Star Game. “I look at what Josh did and realize that we both come from the same background. 

“So, I feel like I can make it just like he did. Josh has always told me to follow in his steps, but in doing so, to leave a bigger footprint.”

Given the family connection, one might assume that older brother would have a huge influence on the younger brother's choice of schools. Dedrick explained that he never felt any pressure to play college football with big brother.

“Josh didn't try to recruit me,” said Dedrick, an All-Northwest pick and former Crosby Scholars president who had a 4.0 weighted grade-point average in high school. “I never felt like he tried to influence my decision one way or the other. He always told me to follow my heart.”

Dedrick Hawkins is best suited to play safety. He has the range to cover from sideline to sideline and the ball awareness that's critical for the position. With his size and speed (4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash), he's strong enough to provide solid run support and fast enough to cover receivers, running backs and tight ends.

“I've learned from Josh how important it is to stay on top of my studies and not get sidetracked,” said Hawkins, who plans to major in Computer Science. “To be at my best, it's important for me to work diligently and not take any days off. I have to keep striving to keep getting better at what I do. ”

Will Huntley play both ways at Guilford College?

Kedlin Huntley makes big plays on both sides of the football.

Just by looks alone, you might not figure Kedlin Huntley to be a football player. Standing 5-feet-8 and weighing 160 pounds, he looks more like someone who plays basketball, baseball, or soccer.

With Huntley, though, appearance means absolutely nothing.

During his time at West Forsyth, Huntley, who graduated in June, delivered monster performances as a ball-thief cornerback and big-play specialist on offense and special teams. He was named Central Piedmont Conference Special Teams Player of the Year for 2014. As a defender, he made the All-Northwest team and was a two-time all-conference pick.

Huntley will play football at Guilford College this fall. Given his high school resume, it's going to be interesting to see where the Quakers put Huntley. There's no denying his value as a man-on-man pass defender. As a junior at West Forsyth, he had 69 tackles with 14 pass break-ups and 4 interceptions in a season in which the Titans went 12-2 and advanced to the second round of the Class 4-A state playoffs.

Huntley is at his best in open space.

Offensively, Huntley is a genuine game-breaker. Although his 4.59 seconds clocking in the 40-yard dash is better than adequate for his position, it's his ability to read blocks and make would-be tacklers miss that make him an exceptional talent.

In open space, he's a difficult match-up for any defender to handle. In watching him on video and in person, there's no question that Huntley has “competitive” speed. During an actual game, you're not likely to see him get caught from behind very often.

Also keep in mind that he's just as lethal as a kick return artist. Given the package he provides, there doesn't seem to be a ceiling on what Huntley might accomplish as a collegian.

A good case in point was this year's East-West All-Star Football Game. Huntley was chosen as a cornerback for the West team. But once practice sessions started, it didn't take long for the coaching staff to decide to employ Huntley strictly as a slot receiver. He scored the first touchdown of the game for the West on a 1-yard sprint around the left side and he caught a crucial third-down pass for 12 yards which kept that scoring drive going.

“Guilford recruited me as a defensive back, but it wouldn't bother me to play on the other side of the ball,” said Huntley. “I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to get into the end zone when I have the ball in my hands.”

As an incoming college freshman, Huntley understands that while he's reached a higher level of competition, he'll have to start at the bottom of the totem pole. In his mind, it's not a daunting task. It's all part of the process of establishing himself as a college athlete.

“My prime focus is to earn as much playing time as I can in the secondary,” he said. “In practice, I'll compete against players who are older and more experienced. That's the big challenge and I feel like I'm more than ready for it.”

Wheeler ‘making strides’ in first season with Dash

Andre Wheeler has emerged as key component coming out of the Dash bullpen.

Andre Wheeler’s baseball metamorphosis has had its twists and turns along the way.

Originally, the Winston-Salem Dash lefty relief pitcher was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an outfielder from Austin, Tex. He didn’t sign. Instead, he went to Texas Tech University and was an everyday player as a freshman. Still, the thought that he’d end up pitching was always in the back of his mind.

The make-up of the Texas Tech team played a role in the eventual position switch. The Red Raiders recruited a lot of junior college players, who were older and more seasoned than the team’s underclassmen. Even so, they still needed pitching depth. Wheeler pitched four games as a freshman. The following year, primarily because of team needs, he became a full-time reliever.

“When I first switched it was tough,” said the 23-year-old Wheeler. “In high school, I pitched a little, but really didn’t know what I was doing. There’s a lot more to it than just going out there and throwing the ball. You have to have a plan and you must learn how to pitch. Right now, I’m not where I want to be, but I am making strides.”

Over the course of this season, Wheeler (4-2, 3.40 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched) has produced in a variety of roles. Wheeler has started four games and he’s worked middle relief duty. On several occasions, he’s turned in superlative stints as a closer. Being willing and prepared to handle all assignments that have come his way hasn’t been an issue.

“I’ve learned that no matter what the situation is, you’ve got to attack those hitters,” said Wheeler, who signed with the Chicago White Sox as a 15^th round draft pick in 2013. “It doesn’t matter if you’re starting or coming out of the (bull) pen. In both cases, it all comes down to coming in and throwing strikes right away.”

Wheeler has 49 strikeouts and 23 walks this season.

While Wheeler acknowledges that he’s far from being a polished product, he’s shown signs of emerging as a dominant presence on the bump. Fans got the opportunity to see Wheeler on top his game in Winston-Salem’s come-from-behind 2-1 home victory over Myrtle Beach on June 29.

Entering the game in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied 1-1, Wheeler delivered two shut-out innings. In the process, he allowed zero hits and had three strikeouts to earn his third victory of the season. His mix of pitches kept Pelicans’ batters guessing. Wheeler’s lively fast ball, sneaky slider and vastly-improved change-up, was more than the visiting team could handle.

“I was able to throw all three pitches for strikes and I attacked the hitters,” he explained. “When I’m hitting both sides of the plate with my fast ball, that’s when I’m at my best. And it really helps when I can locate my slider late in the count. The change-up is coming along. I didn’t throw it too much last year. Without the change-up, I don’t think I would’ve had as much as success as I’ve had this season.”

Consistency and repetition are keys in grooming pitchers. There are numerous elements which are involved in developing proper throwing mechanics. That’s the physical aspect of the game that presents its share of challenges. But there’s also the mental aspect that can’t be overlooked. For Wheeler, maintaining the right frame of mind is just as important as mastering technique.

“At the pro level, the mental part of the game is the biggest challenge to overcome,” he said. “When you have a bad outing, you can easily get down on yourself and not have confidence. But you also know that you’ll be back out there two or three days later. You have to be ready to bounce back and perform right away.”

Stayed tuned for the Friday edition

Up until his sophomore year of college baseball at Texas Tech, 
Andre Wheeler was an everyday outfielder. Now he's in the pros and he's
on the mound. The transition is not yet complete. But in the meantime,
the results have been better than expected in Wheeler's first season
with the Winston-Salem Dash. In the Friday edition of SportzXpress, 
Wheeler discusses how he's going about the business of perfecting his craft.