Grassroots Preview: Charlotte Dream Elite 16U
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The basketball calendar has shifted to the first full month of the AAU season. One team area fans consistently keep an eye out for is one that has where it is based simply in its name. Charlotte Dream Elite consistently…
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Continue ReadingThe basketball calendar has shifted to the first full month of the AAU season. One team area fans consistently keep an eye out for is one that has where it is based simply in its name.
Charlotte Dream Elite consistently fields several travel teams that feature a litany of talent from both the North Carolina and South Carolina portions of its metropolitan area. This year’s 16U team is no exception.
The team is almost all sophomores with one exception as one of the players on the 16U team is part of the 2025 class. The team took part in the LBI March Madness event a few weeks ago – one that Prep Girls Hoops was also on hand for. Charlotte Dream Elite 16U will be returning to Carolina Courts this weekend as they are one of the teams slated to be part of Phenom Lady Rumble in Concord.
The Apache Memorial in late April in Charlotte, mid-July’s Summer Madness competition in Indianapolis and late July’s ATL Summer Slam are also among the events coming up for Charlotte Dream Elite this travel season.
Without further adieu, here is a look at who comprises this year’s rendition of Charlotte Dream Elite 2024 basketball.
Maddie Frank – 2024 – South Pointe HS – Frank is the only South Carolina representative on the Charlotte Dream Elite 16U roster from a school other than Clover. She is a two-sport athlete who also excels in the cross country and track realm.
Nikki Mullen – 2024 – Pine Lake Prep – Representing the Pride of Pine Lake Prep, Mullen saw the court in 23 games this past season and concluded the 2021-22 having averaged a robust 15.7 points per game.
Marcia Watt Marcia Watt 5'6" | CG Clover | 2024 State SC – 2024 – Clover HS – Increased Watt-age can translate to more Eagles victories. She is listed at 5-foot-4 on Charlotte Dream Elite’s roster and was one of four sophomores that comprised the 2021-22 Eagles rendition that was in defense of its 2020-21 5A crown.
Danielle Titus – 2024 – Mallard Creek HS – Titus is coming off a season where she averaged 9.9 points, four rebounds and 1.2 steals a game. This includes a high watermark of a double-double where she dropped 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 68-38 Mavericks win over Bradford Prep.
Kenzie Ross – 2024 – Lincoln Charter – Ross’ forte is defense – she displayed that aplenty in the 29 games she played for the Eagles as she excelled as a shot blocker, rebounder and ball hawk. She also had four games in 2021-22 where she managed a double-digit point output.
Karis Alexander Karis Alexander 5'8" | SF Clover | 2024 State SC – 2024 – Clover HS – The Eagles have the most representatives of any team on the Charlotte Dream Elite 16U roster – including the left-handed Alexander. She has proven herself to be an important presence for the Clover frontcourt.
Lauren French – 2024 – Piedmont HS – At 6-foot-1, French is the tallest of any player on the Charlotte Dream Elite 16U roster. In addition to basketball, she has also excelled on the soccer pitch.
Kayleigh O’Hara – 2024 – Charlotte Catholic HS – O’Hara is one of two Charlotte Dream Elite 16U represented that is at least six feet or more. She is an impressive player who can score either by getting to the rim or by draining 3-pointers.
Paige Sarver – 2024 – South Iredell HS – Sarver participated in 16 matchups for the Vikings this past season. She brings a defensive presence to her team, but also has an ability to score either from long range, at the rim or at the free throw line.
Samara Lucas Samara Lucas 5'11" | PF Clover | 2025 State SC – 2025 – Clover HS – The lone freshman on the Charlotte Dream Elite roster, she represents the immediate future for the Eagles program. Lucas is one of the tallest members of the Charlotte Dream Elite 16U roster standing at 5-foot-11.
Kensley Rhinehart – 2024 – East Lincoln HS – Similar to French, two sports that Rhinehart has also established herself athletically are basketball and soccer. At 5-foot-10, she poses a height advantage as a scorer and a defender.