The Best of the Best All Charlotte Sports Group (CSG) Boys and Girls’ Basketball Teams

_{Picked by Jay Edwards, CSG Senior Writer & Joe Canty - CSG Founder}

Another basketball season has come and gone, and once again, some of the nation and state’s top talent can be found right here in Charlotte. Several of our local teams proved to be either the best or amongst the best in their respective classes and leagues. During those runs, many players also from our area stood out as the best of the best.Charlotte Sports Group’s (CSG) main focus is promote high school athletes through highlight videos, made by our staff. But we will also honor those teams and players in every sport that stand out after each season (charlottesportsgroup.com).So who was the best of the best on the hardwood this year in Charlotte? Here is what we came up with. 

BOYS CSG BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ian Miller, United Faith ChristianIan Miller has done just about everything in his time at United Faith. The senior combo guard has not only led his team to back-to-back NCISAA state championships, but also become one of the best players in the country in doing so. Miller, who will play basketball at Florida State next year, is a consensus top 50 recruit in 2010 class in several of the top publications.Miller has shown he can beat the best of the best at the highest level. Miller hit a 40-foot buzzer-beating shot over Kentucky’s John Wall (then Word of God star) to win the state title last year, scored 33 points in the final game this year to lead the Falcons to their second straight state championship.

CSG BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR: Brandon Jolly, Lake NormanBrandon Jolly has accomplished almost everything he wanted to his time as head coach of the Lake Norman basketball team. Everything, but winning a state title. This year, in the Wildcats first year in class 4A and the vaunted I-Meck conference, Jolly finally led his team to a state title, beating undeated Terry Sanford 63-46 in Raleigh.Jolly also guided his team to a school-record 27 wins this season, going 27-3, beating out last season’s school-record of 25-2. 

ALL CSG BOYS TEAM: J.T. Terrell, West Charlotte…Future Wake Forest guard went on a tear during playoffs.Jordan Downing, Hopewell…Titan star will only get better at Davidson.DeMon Brooks, Hopewell…Double-double machine taking his talents to Howard.Reggie Price, Lake Norman…Wildcats’ leading scorer led his team to state title.Paul Larsen, Lake Norman…State Championship game MVP was huge for Wildcats.Anthony Gill, Charlotte Christian…future South Carolina forward big inside for Knights.Ian Miller, United Faith Christian…led the Falcons to another state title.Jarrell Eddie, Cannon School…future Virginia Tech guard is a scoring machine.Terrance Hampton, Providence…led Panthers to SW4A title and 20-plus wins.Jeremy Ingram, East Meck…SW4A player of the year averaged over 26 points per game.Justin Cheek, Ardrey Kell…future High Point guard willed Knights into state quarterfinals.Marquis Rankin, Vance…big-time, Division I target will be one of Charlotte’s best next year. 

CSG’s Top 10 Boys Teams: LAKE NORMAN…Wildcats won 4A state title in first year at the highest classification.2 UNITED FAITH CHRISTIAN…repeat NCISAA champions did it easy this time.3 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN…Knights 29-4 mark good for state runner-up to Christ School.4 WEST CHARLOTTE…Terrell led Lions to within a game of a chance at state title.5 HOPEWELL…Titans looked like state’s best, but faltered in 2nd round of playoffs.6 CONCORD…Spiders win 25 games again, but lose in 3A state title game.7 ARDREY KELL…SW4A champs had another strong season reaching regionals.8 VANCE…consensus top 10 team in the state was a victim of brutal I-Meck conference.9 PROVIDENCE…a great regular season ended in a 1st round playoff exit.10 MYERS PARK…Mustangs upset Hopewell and nearly beat Lake Norman in playoff run. 

GIRLS CSG GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cierra Burdick, ButlerCierra Burdick has achieved almost everything a high school player can accomplish. But after the all-state, all-region, all-conference star had racked up everything an individual can garner, there was still an empty spot in her trophy case. This year, Burdick, a junior, finally filled that empty space leading Butler to a 4A state championship in convincing fashion. Burdick, who will play college basketball at Tennessee (in 2012), got everything that goes with being the best player on the best team. Burdick was recently named a Parade All-American and first-team all-state by the Associated Press. Her next challenge, will be to try and do it all over again her senior year. CSG GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR: Bradyn Monismith, East MeckWhen Bradyn Monismith arrived at East Meck, the Eagles had struggled to even win games. In the three season leading up to Monismith becoming head coach, East Meck had gone 5-35, easily establishing themselves as the doormat of the Southwestern 4A.After going 24-25 in his first two years at East Meck, Monismith has transformed the Eagles into one of the top programs in the state. East Meck, who has gone 75-13 in the past three years, had their best year ever in 2010. The Eagles not only boasted a school record 28-3 mark this season, but also claimed the SW4A title and got all the way to the state semifinals before falling to archrival Butler. East Meck played Butler four times, with both teams winning twice. 

ALL CSG GIRLS TEAM: Cierra Burdick, Butler…all-everything guard finally led Bulldogs to 4A state title.Clair Watkins, Butler…Vanderbilt signee was a potent duo with Burdick.Monet Tellier, East Meck…right there with Burdick amongst area’s best.Shannon Smith, Forestview…like Burdick, UNC signee led Jaguars to 3A state title.Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day…another great Charger leads her team to NCISAA state title.Hannah Early, Hopewell…the best part of a deep and strong Titan team.Nyshia Hammonds, Concord…Charlotte signee moves down 85 south to show off her talents.Kelsee Cheek, J.M. Robinson…prolific scorer give Bulldogs a legit shot to compete with Concord.Ali Lane, Charlotte Catholic…one of the big reasons the Cougars made the 3A regionals.Shawn-Marie Heiliger, Charlotte Catholic…Like Lane, Heiliger was one of the state’s best.Tiffani Stephens, Myers Park…late season injury killed Mustangs postseason chances.Gigi Bailey, Charlotte Christian…double-double machine led Knights to state semis as freshman.  

CSG Top 10 GIRLS TEAM1 BUTLER…after achieving nearly everything else, the  Bulldogs finally in it all.2 FORESTVIEW…Jaguars also won their first state title.3 EAST MECK…Eagles did everything but beating Butler when it counted in the end.4 PROVIDENCE DAY…Chargers add another state title trophy to their case.5 LAKE NORMAN…Wildcats hope to be a factor in state playoffs again next year.6 HOPEWELL…Titans also a huge factor in the 4A playoffs and should be again next year.7 CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC…Cougars had another banner season as MEGA 7 champs.8 CONCORD…Spiders had another perfect SPC run, now must adjust without Nyshia Hammonds. 9 HARDING…nice playoff run, after beating Catholic in ME-GA 7 tournament title game.10 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN…most improved team in area has Gigi Bailey for three more years.