Justin Byerly's Day One Notebook from The Carolina Jam
We are back in Raleigh for the 2023 Carolina Jam. This event which had its roots started in 2019 finally came to fruition last year with Covid. We have a great facility and some of the top teams from North Carolina and the country.
Let’s take a look at what I went down tonight on opening day at the Carolina Jam.
Warriors Life Elite Start Off Hot
The boys down from the eastern part of the state can play. Things are just a little different down there when it comes to basketball around the state of North Carolina. Warriors Life Elite has a bunch of guys that can play with anyone in the region and on the first night of The Carolina Jam it showed. With a 94-55 win over Team Raleigh, Warriors Life Elite showed they are going to make some noise this weekend. 2024 guard Tyler Whitehurst scored 20 points in the win.
Cook Shines for Team South Carolina
JL Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina has had its share of talented basketball players, Damien Leonard,who played at South Carolina is the most recent one. Tonight, Jeremy Cook, a 5-foot-11 guard scored 30 points for Team South Carolina in the win over Strong Center Holly Springs. Cook is able to score from all spots on the floor and has the quickness to get into the lane along with an ability to make shots from the outside.
1 of 1 Rare Has Some Dudes
The team coached by former NBA player, Jermaine Jackson is loaded with talent in the 16 and under division. Rare played up in the 17 and under bracket for the Carolina Jam. Guys like Yohance Connor, LJ Rush, Jeremiah, Jackson, and Emanuel James really stood out for 1 Of 1 Rare. In their first game of the weekend they were able to get a win over Harvest Development Academy, 60-35. The game showed the athleticism that the team possesses with multiple dunks and acrobatic finishes at the rim throughout the whole game. It was fun to watch.
Rim Runners Bring The Payne
Lad by Head Coach Rick Ritch, the NC Rim Runners took care of the Carolina Conquerors in overtime, 93-87. There was a total of 30 made three-point field goals between the two teams. Leading the charge was Dominic Payne with 22 points. Payne, a two-sport star out of Trinity High School is a physical guard that can get to the rim with his tough style of play. Tanner Walters had a solid game finishing with 16 points.
