The Expectations Cast Upon Lake Norman Christian

The second Mikey Williams announced he was going to transfer from San Diego, CA/San Ysidro to Huntersville, NC/Lake Norman Christian the internet exploded. Not many had heard of his new destination prior, but now, after Mikey Williams, everyone across the country started asking, googling, getting all the who, what, where of Lake Norman Christian.

You see Mikey Williams is not your normal 16 year old high school sophomore. You see, Williams is a social media celebrity. He is one who has really taken advantage of this Name, Image, Likeness talk. He has 2.5 million followers on Instagram, he just released a new clothing line with Drake and videos of Mikey routinely get millions of views across all platforms.

The basketball world has never seen anything like this before. Going back to the likes of Sebastian Telfair and Lebron James, high school players were famous, but they didn’t have the world of social media backing them. We started to see little bit of high school hooper fame with Zion Williamson, during his senior season. However, Mikey is only a sophomore and already twice as famous as Zion was. In a world where the Kardashians created and entirely different level of fame, Mikey Williams is a perfect cross between basketballs star and social media icon.

For Lake Norman Christian based in Huntersville (NC), the expectations can be a powerful thing. We, in the talking heads media space, make a living printing expectation, most of the time fairly, and sometimes unfairly. But an expectation writes the story, before it happens. Sure you can draw on past experiences of what you have seen and what players and coaches have done previously, but the story will always write itself as the games are played.

Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian novelist, said, “Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” This applies to the expectations of Head Coach Mason Padgett at Harrisonburg, NC/Lake Norman Christian.

The second Mikey Williams announced his transfer to Huntersville, NC/Lake Norman Christian, the nation’s ears perked up. Lake Norman Christian will play six games on ESPN this year.

Looking through their roster, Lake Norman Christian has a slew of talent. Going one by one, they have no less than nine players who will be recruited at the Division 1 level. In watching this practice, the team seemed to be disciplined and Coach Padgett appeared to do a great job in changing looks and sets.

Let’s take a look at some of the roster…

All Eyes on Me

We spoke about 6’2” 2023 Mikey Williams off the court above, so we will take a look at what he is on the floor here. Williams is a guard who is equally comfortable toggling between the point and off-guard spots. Playing in an up-tempo system, Williams is typically the one to get the ball across half court, but he showed an adeptness in making the right play.

In the half court, Williams played off the ball a lot. He uses a strong and compact frame to get into the paint and he showcased some shot creation off the bounce to score in the mid-range and from beyond the arc.

What impressed me the most about Williams, on this night, was his vision and passing ability. He delivered on target and on time to his teammates,setting them up for easy, open looks.

The Breakout

The strides 6’11” 2021 Jonathan Kurtas has taken in the past six months are eye opening. Sure he carries multiple Division 1 offers (SIUE, Navy, Denver, Tennessee St) but, in all honesty, he should be the target of every mid-major program in the region. In all actuality Kurtas is in a position where he could take advantage of one of these ESPN games and draw the interest of Power 5 programs. Kurtas has head at the rim vertical athleticism, when given an open path. He runs the floor well. He is a good area rebounder. He has great shot blocking timing. He’s a great roll guy out of the pick/roll and he can knock down the 18+ foot jump shot off the catch. Yes, he does everything you want a 6’11” guy to do, along with having great academics.

The Newcomer

6’8” 2022 Joyful Hawkins of Marietta, GA/Kell High announced his transfer into Lake Norman Christian last week and he brings with him offers from Xavier, Auburn, Georgia and Texas Tech. Hawkins is a lengthy forward who can run the floor well protect the rim and switch on defense. Offensively, he is at his best with movement off the ball and in the dunker spots. Hawkins should be one the back end of a lot of alley oops and big plays.

The Future College Coach

Throughout the course of the practice you notice 6’7” 2022 Shane Fernald talks nonstop. Whether it be positioning on the back end of the defense or instructing plays in the walk through. He knows where everyone on the floor should be at any given time. Shane is a sure-fire scholarship level college player, so he will play at that level. However, after his playing career is over he already carries himself as that of a successful coach.

Keep an Eye On

5’11” 2023 Josh Bullock

The lefty PG will be a steadying presence as the first guard off the bench.

6’9” 2023 Riley Allenspach

Oozing with upside, he showcased the ability to knock down the 3-ball here. Dad is 6’11” and he wears a size 17 shoe.

6’5” 2022 JP Haggarty

Haggarty will vie for a starting spot as the teams best perimeter shooter. He also showed the ability to attack closeouts and is a good rebounder.

5’11” 2023 Trey Green
Will probably start opposite Mikey Williams. He is a playmaker and a tough on the ball defender. Green is a multi-level bucket getter with toughness.

6’6” 2021 AJ Allenspach (Army)

Allenspach is nursing a shin splint injury and will be out until December. He will be a huge factor for this team upon his return.