With college basketball getting ready to take center stage following the conclusion of the NFL season in a couple of weeks, local products across the nation continue to push their respective programs.
In the desert, Kadeem Allen (New Hanover/Laney) has helped push the Arizona Wildcats to No. 13 in the nation. Arizona is coming off a 96-85 weekend-road win over No. 3 ranked UCLA in Los Angeles. It was the first time the longtime Pac-12 powers faced each other while both were ranked in the top 15 since Jan. 20, 2007.
Allen saw 30 minutes on the floor, with nine points on 4-of-10 shooting, in front of a sellout crowd that included Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabar (NBA), Cris Carter (NFL) and Dave Winfield (MLB).
Kadeem Allen with a spin to the basket for two more!#APlayersProgram | #Pac12Hoops https://t.co/11x2rajE6B
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) January 21, 2017
For the season, Arizona has won 13 straight games to remain unbeaten in PAC-12 play. Allen is averaging 10.1 points per game and shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc.
Coastal Carolina senior guard Elijah Wilson (Laney) is now third on the all-time scoring list in Chanticleer program history. Wilson leads the team in scoring, averaging just over 14 points per game. He now has 1,642 career points, only trailing Jack Leasure (1,893) and Tony Dunkin (2,151).
In the NCAA Division II ranks, Tarleton State (Texas) is listed at No. 11 in the national polls. Ridell Camidge (New Hanover/Ashley) averages a team-high 15.8 points per game. He’s connected on 58 three-point attempts, also a team-high, shooting 40 percent from downtown. Tarleton State has a 16-3 overall mark.
At nearby Mount Olive College, Felecity Havens (Ashley) has found her stride for the Trojans. She recently recorded her team-best 10th double-double of the season with 11 boards and 15 points as Mt. Olive defeated Pfeiffer, 85-64.
Havens has guided the Trojans to a 10-1 conference record and 13-3 overall mark. She’s shooting 41 percent from the field and sits second on the team, averaging 16.7 points per game.
Freshman A.J. Frye is enjoying individual success within the NCAA Division III ranks for N.C. Wesleyan.
The former Hoggard standout has started all 15 games for the Battling Bishops, averaging 10.5 points and five rebounds per game. Frye is a two-time USA South Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.
Locally, Trae Bryant (Hoggard) has paced Cape Fear Community College to an impressive 16-2 overall record following a 103-82 victory over Brunswick Community College on Friday night. Bryant finished with 22 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in the effort.
The Division I transfer leads the team, averaging 17.8 points per game, while shooting 53 percent from the field.
