N.C. loaded with hoops talent

Raleigh Word of God's C.J. Leslie is the only uncommitted member of Scout.com's top 10 boys basketball players in North Carolina.

The class is regarded by experts as one of the state's best ever. Eight of the top 10 are ranked among Scout's top 100 players in the nation.

Leslie, who said he is still evaluating his college opportunities, is ranked No. 2 in North Carolina and No. 12 in the country by Scout.com.

Reggie Bullock of Kinston (ranked No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 11 in the country) has signed with North Carolina, and Ian Miller of Charlotte United Faith (Nos. 3 and 47) has signed with Florida State. Rounding out the top five in the state are center Damontre Harris of Fayetteville Christian (South Carolina, 4 and 39) and forward Luke Cothron of Red Springs McDonald (N.C. State commitment, 5 and 56).

Melvin Tabb of Enloe, who is headed to Wake Forest, is ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 87 nationally.

Thanksgiving basketball: Word of God has three of the top 10 playing in its Thanksgiving tournament next week.

Wayne Country Day plays United Faith at 6 p.m. on Friday, with Word of God playing Monroe Jireh at 7:30 p.m.

The losers play at 6 and the winners at 7:30 on Saturday.

Knightdale is the host school for the Triangle Tip Off tournament for boys and girls on Friday and Saturday.

The first-round boys pairings are Rocky Mount vs. East Chapel Hill and Knightdale vs. Wilson Fike. The girls pairings are Rocky Mount vs. Wake Forest-Rolesville and Knightdale vs. Wilson Fike.

Signings: Michael Cromie, Green Hope, golf, Georgia

Luke Davis, Ravenscroft, boys basketball, Gardner-Webb

Stephon Drane, Garner, boys basketball, Western Kentucky

Jill Edwards, Panther Creek, volleyball, Shippensburg University

Andrea Estes, Green Hope, women's golf, East Carolina

Angela Funari, Apex, girls soccer, Elon

Kersie Jhabuala, Apex, cross country, Penn

Christi Kaznowski, Apex, girls soccer, Western Carolina

Natalie Klemann, Apex, softball, UNC Pembroke

Andy Knox, Apex, boys golf, UNC Greenboro

Jessi Lane, Harnett Central, baseball, Campbell

Mackenzie Larsen, Cary Academy, volleyball, Lafayette

Mark Parker, West Johnston, boys basketball, Longwood University

Katherine Perry, Athens Drive, golf, University of North Carolina

Michelle Pilo, Apex, girls golf, South Florida

Frank Price, Holly Springs, boys lacrosse, Virginia

Kristine Rishel, Middle Creek, girls basketball, Winthrop

Melis Tanik, Ravenscroft, tennis, West Virginia

Dezmine Wells, Word of God, boys basketball, Xavier

Ross Whitehead, Apex, boys lacrosse, Virginia Military

Nicole Willis, Broughton, volleyball, LSU

Brandon Wilson, Cary Academy, baseball, Campbell

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