Charlotte,NC – Advanced. Natural. Talented. No, not the hit teen sitcom A.N.T. Farm that appeared on the Disney Channel for three seasons from 2011 through 2014. These three adjectives describe the North Mecklenburg Vikings basketball team. A team that is peaking at the right time, becoming an early favorite to capture a coveted North Carolina state title. The Vikings sit undefeated in conference play at 5-0 ( 12-2 overall) and according to Max Preps, have not lost a regular season game to a North Carolina school since a 63-56 defeat at Mallard Creek January 13, 2017. That’s 731 days and counting.
6’2 junior guard Tristan Maxwell is the team’s fearless leader. The kid has ice running through his veins. The Vikings feed off his confidence with every made three pointer and posterizing dunk. The young ‘T-Dog’ is stepping out of his father’s (’94 and ’95 NBA Champion Vernon Maxwell) shadow and has worked his way up national player rankings, currently holding scholarship offers from NC State, Providence and the University of South Florida. However North Meck is no one-trick pony. They run deep and pose a serious threat for any team that can not match its depth on the bench. Demar Anderson, Chris Ford, Trayden Williams and Dee Givens can all drop double digits on any given night.
One season ago on December 27, 2017, the Vikings traveled to Bristol, TN to participate in the Arby’s classic tournament. Standing in way was Virginia legend Mac McClung and the Gate City High School Blue Devils. McClung broke NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson’s state scoring record, putting up over 2,800 career points before heading off to become the starting point guard for Head Coach Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas. How did the Vikings fair against him? The Vikings defense forced McClung into a rare six turnovers, to go along with a season low 26 points at the time. Shutting down the Blue Devils in front of a sold out (fittingly named) Viking Hall Arena, 80-64.
On January 4, 2019 the Vikings played a highly anticipated rival match-up against the Hopewell Titans. Hopewell, a solid veteran team led by UNC Charlotte commit Brice Williams, could not seem to get its offense going against the Vikings high intensity defense. North Meck won 75-47.
The loaded IMECK Conference is one of the toughest in the state and feature West Charlotte, Vance, Hopewell, Mallard Creek whom could all be potential threats to the defending conference champs. With nine more regular season games left to play, the race is heating up and is sure to be an entertaining finish to the 2019 basketball season.
Next Game: Vance @ North Meck
When: Friday January 18, 2019
Where: 11201 Old Statesville Road Huntersville,NC 28078
