SUWANEE, GA – Team Charlotte’s pre-game conversation was simple. They wanted to head back to North Carolina with a championship. Nothing less would be accepted.

Mission was emphatically accomplished thanks to Charlotte’s heavy rotation of guards.

Charlotte beat SC Raptors Elite 62-46 for the 17U National bracket championship of the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions on Sunday at Suwanee Sports Academy.

This game was one many wanted to see in which guards would enforce their will on the other. Both defenses would get tested.

Charlotte’s guard depth, however, was just too much for the Raptors to handle. The catalyst was James Demery. The 6-foot-5 guard was slithery quick and so explosive he was hard to contain. He also attacked the basket with one mission in mind finishing above the rim. Demery scored a game-high 20 points to win secure the title and the Most Valuable Player award.

Whenever he wasn’t putting pressure on the Raptors defense, Charlotte had Kedrick Flomo pushing the ball. Antonio Woods helped the onslaught as he poured in 11 points. Desean Murray added 10. Charlotte never looked back as it pulled away from the Palmetto State based organization.

The Raptors guards did their best to keep up with Charlotte’s but it was difficult. Jermel Taylor scored a team-high 11 points, while Jawun Evans added nine points. Both had a stellar weekend and were the catalyst in helping beat the top-seeded Florida Elite, but they could not get through Charlotte’s depth.

Charlotte closed out the game before coach Jeff McInnis laughed it up with tournament founder Bob Gibbons before taking the championship back up I-85 to the Queen City.