CGHR Charlotte Skillz Showcase: Veteran Talents

With the start of the regular season becoming closer and closer, we have arrived at the time of year where it is especially vital for talents to be at their best to begin the 2025-26 season on the right pair of sneakers.    The Charlotte Skillz Showcase, hosted by Carolina Girls Hoops Report, provided the perfect opportunity for exactly that. The scene for all of the festivities was the Talbert Recreation Center in Mooresville – several miles due north of Uptown Charlotte.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were on site as well – and a number of the names that were on site as well were veteran names who understand how things typically unfold.     South Pointe has established itself firmly as a state power in South Carolina – in large part because the 4A Stallions have one of the premier bigs in the state on its roster. South Pointe concluded last season with a robust 29-1 record in large part due to Cunningham's heroics in the interior. She also can find a rhythm in the midrange game. Playing in all 30 games last season for the Stallions, Cunningham nearly averaged a double-double - 18.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. The objective for Cunningham and her South Pointe assembling is simple – be the last 4A team standing when we get to early March.     Cuthbertson is making the jump from 4A to 7A with realignment. This year, Mundy has picked up offers from Claflin and Winston Salem State. Mundy impressed with her ball-handling as well as with her ability to connect on floater attempts. She has also established herself as a defensive stalwart. Mundy returns to Cuthbertson after spending time wearing the uniform of [program_tooltip program_id='713552' first='1' last='of 1'] Prep. Two years ago, she put together one of the signature freshman seasons as a Cavalier and similar numbers from a more experienced Mundy should mean improved fortunes for Cuthbertson as it moves up in classification. She, arguably, turned in the best performance of anyone on hand on Friday.     There was plenty of representation from Victory Christian at this year's Charlotte Skillz Showcase – defending NCISAA 1A state champion Victory Christian that is. Balderas stands at 5-foot-7 and can be placed in a starting five either at the point or at the two. She is an effective playmaker on either end of the floor. A 3-point shot is part of her overall offensive arsenal, and a good number of those 3-pointers can occur from either the wing or the corner. Efficient floor running, the ability to handle the ball with her left hand and knowing when to score and when to pass or other positive attributes to Balderas' well-developed skillset.     There were two prospects that made the trek to Mooresville from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Braaten was one of those. A prospect from Cave Spring in the western Virginia mountains, she stands at 6-foot-1. Her skillset is unconventional for a six-footer which is what makes her an intriguing name. Braaten impressed in both long-range and midrange shooting drills and one reason for this was because of her quick release. Such impressive shooting skills can throw defenses for a loop in situations where she attacks the basket. Braaten places emphasis on rebounding and defense as well in addition to her scoring prowess.     Williams' career through the high school ranks has taken her to Indian Land as well as to Legion Collegiate. Travel-wise, she has played on the Adidas circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='1231019' first='Upward' last='Stars 3SSB']. Williams can effectively play the role of either a point guard or a shooting guard. Her prowess as a two comes in play with how accurate she can be from behind the 3-point line. That can throw plenty of defenses off guard if she decides to attack the basket. Williams also possesses an effective midrange jump shot, the ability to be agile with the ball and her high hoops IQ displays herself in her knowledge of when to attack and when to pass.     Victory Christian finished last season with a stellar mark of 15-9 – so it was only fitting that it would be well-represented at this year's Charlotte Skillz Showcase. Tesfay understands the art of being active away from the ball and is anything but shy about attempting 3-pointers. She also approaches the game with a heads-up attitude which enables her to make even more plays – including turning defense into offense. Tesfay wore Victory Christian blue and gold on 13 occasions in her junior season and is poised to finish her career in the high school ranks with an exclamation point.     There were five names on hand at the Talbert Recreation Center in Mooresville representing Victory Christian – defending NCISAA 1A champions. Villareal was among that noteworthy quintet. Defensively, Villareal will keep her hands outstretched and the heads-up attitude she consistently plays with makes her a consistent playmaking possibility. Villareal is an efficient floor runner and she can handle the ball with her left hand. She sets up offensively at the wing and can bolster a team's rebounding efforts. As defending NCISAA champions, Victory Christian understands that every team that it faces in 2025-26 will give it its best shot this season.     It was only that as defending NCISAA 1A champions that Victory Christian would be nicely represented at this year's Charlotte Skillz Showcase. Bethancourt played in 11 games last season for Victory Christian – including last season's 1A NCISAA state game which took place at Charlotte Latin. Bethancourt is a fearless rim attacker and makes her presence known on the other end of the floor as well. Opposing teams have to be on the lookout for when she looks to make plays in the transition game and she can provide a 3-point shooting element to a team's offense. After last season's state championship victory, Bethancourt is looking for a resounding conclusion to her high school career.

With the start of the regular season becoming closer and closer, we have arrived at the time of year where it is especially vital for talents to be at their best to begin the 2025-26 season on the right pair of sneakers.