Providence Day junior guard talks about the Chargers' upcoming season and college options.
By Max Lahn
Last season, the varsity men’s basketball team at Providence Day, finished the season with a 30-3 record and a birth in the most prestigious high school basketball tournament in the country, Dicks Nationals. The Dicks National tournament consists of the top 8 men’s high school teams in the country, and Providence Day was fortunate to be one of the eight selected.
Led by three Seniors and two Sophomores, all going to play at the division one level, the Chargers won the state championship, and became the first Charlotte Independent School team since Charlotte Latin in 2004, to win the title.
After the great season last year, the Chargers return with two of the five starters. Among the two is 6'2" Junior point guard, Devon Dotson. As the number 2 prospect in North Carolina, class of 2018, Dotson holds offers from some of the top programs in the country: Kansas, Tennessee, NC State, North Carolina- Chapel Hill , Southern California and many more. Most recently he has received an offer from the 2016 NCAA tournament champs, Villanova.
Led by three Seniors and two Sophomores, all going to play at the division one level, the Chargers won the state championship, and became the first Charlotte Independent School team since Charlotte Latin in 2004, to win the title.
When The Charger sat down with Dotson and asked where he is at in the recruiting process, he said, “I'm taking the recruiting process slow; I am just weighing my options to find out what’s best for me and my family." He added that “the most important aspect when I look to pick a college is the relationship I have with the coaching staff, not just from a basketball standpoint; I also want strong academics and a school that can get me better off the court."
Dotson plans to make his final decision following this year's high school season. “When I feel it’s the right time to commit, I will commit, no need to rush the process."
In between visiting colleges and attempting to win another state championship, Devon Dotson has had a busy offseason.
Dotson isn’t trying to focus too much on the recruiting process, he says, “right now my main focus is to get better and build a strong chemistry with my new teammates to make this year as memorable as last year."
The team this year is going to have a different look, “we are going to be smaller than last year," says Dotson. The Chargers will have to play fast, have a strong defense, and play harder than the opponent game in and game out if they want to repeat as State Champions this year.
Providence Day is ranked #24 in Flohoops.com press on national rankings. This year, the Chargers are playing in seven nationally ranked tournaments all across the Southeast. The Chargers have added transfer junior guard Isaac Suffren, freshman Luke Stankavage, who is ranked in the top five in the class of 2020 in North Carolina, 6-7 freshman center Jacolbe Cowan, and 6-foot freshman guard Muhsin Muhammad Jr. Other than the new additions to the team, look for a bigger role from senior forward Ben Ferris and junior guard Kyle Wood.
A bigger role for Dotson is expected with the loss of captain Grant Williams. Dotson said the biggest thing this season is, “I am going to have to be more of a leader this year, I am going to have to be more vocal and help the players around me get better." Repeating as State Champions is the ultimate goal the Chargers have set for this season.
Aside from the team goal, Dotson has set a personal goal for himself; winning the Mr. Basketball award. The Mr. Basketball award is granted to the top men’s high school basketball player in the state of North Carolina, and no other player deserves it more than Dotson.
Senior forward Ben Ferris described Dotson as “a great player and teammate. Not only did he lead the team to its first state championship since the turn of the century, but he is also loved around school. He is someone you love to compete with, and I can’t wait to chase another ring with him this year.” Getting back to the title game will be a challenge, but with Dotson leading the way, anything is possible.
Photo courtesy of Constance Owens
Devon attacks the basket in the State tournament, against Charlotte Latin.
Photo courtesy of Mike McCarn
In front of the home crowd at the Mosack Athletic Center, Dotson rises up and dunks it against Greensboro Day School.
Photo courtesy of Consance Owens
Devon dribbles through the Greensboro Day defenders for an easy score.
Photo courtesy of Max Lahn
Devon in the gym late at night working on his free throws.
COMMUNITY
The Charger, November 2016
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