Team Charlotte was one of the most successful teams in the country in April. A championship at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, a North Carolina state AAU championship and a final four run at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest is an impressive month's work.

The key to the team's success? James Demery, the MVP of the Tournament of Champions, says the plan was simplified.

"It all starts with defense," he said. "That's where we get our offense right."

Just like that, Team Charlotte earned their spot in the national conversation this spring. And so did Demery, the 6-foot-5 rising senior from Northside Christian Academy.

Coming off the heels of a 32-2 season and the NCISAA 2A state championship game, Demery said he was excited to get on the court with his Team Charlotte teammates. Now in the second year of playing together, the team's continuity and familiarity played a big role in April's successful run.

"We know everyone's strengths and weaknesses and roles. I think that is what makes us so good. We have played a couple of years together already," Demery said. "Last year we lost in the finals in Florida at AAU Nationals. We finished second place. We came back with revenge this year. We wanted those championships.

"We played really good in Pittsburgh. It was a great opportunity for us. Then we came to Bob Gibbons and we were even more hungry. We were motivated. We felt like we could win the whole thing. We told that to each other at our practices before we came down there. Going to Atlanta and winning Bob Gibbons was big for us."

The winning didn't end at Suwanee Sports Academy. Demery and Team Charlotte returned home and won the North Carolina AAU state championship.

"It's a great feeling to know that you play on the best team in North Carolina. You can't just settle. No one is going to bow down to you though. Everyone is going to be coming at you. So, you have to keep practicing. You have to keep playing. You have to keep getting better," Demery said. "It starts in practice. That's where we battle the most. We know that someone is out there working just as hard."

With great success comes a heightened recruitment.

"My phone has been ringing like crazy. There's been a lot of coaches and a lot of interest. I thank God for that," Demery said. "It's a great feeling."

Prior to the evaluation period began in April Demery said Virginia Tech, East Carolina and UNC Charlotte offered a scholarship. Now that the evaluation period is over for the spring, Demery has offers from Tennessee, Oklahoma State, St. Joseph's and South Carolina. DePaul is "close to offering, too", he said.

Demery said Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Xavier are also involved and are in the courting stages of his recruitment. With extra time on his side, he'd like to get on the road and see some campuses.

Virginia Tech, DePaul, Xavier, Cincinnati could see the strong-bodied wing on campus for an unofficial visit in June.

"I am trying to go in and play for a school and coaches that can help me achieve my full potential in basketball," Demery said. "I think any kid in high school would love to go to a school where they can come in and play right away as a freshman. But I know that isn't given. I know I have to earn it. I want to go somewhere that allows me to play to the best of my abilities."