CE6 finished the year as the AAU D1 National Champions
by Ryan Noel, Future150 (8:36 AM CT, Tue September 15, 2015)

Raleigh, NC (Future150) -- The Carolina Elite 6th Grade team, with some of the top 2021 prospects in the country, took home the AAU D1 National Championship back in July. We caught up with Assistant Coach John Adams for more about their team and their future.

Coach Adams said the driving factor behind their run was the how their talented kids all played as a team. While there were a few standout efforts in some games, the effort of the team as a whole is what brought them the title.

Coach Adams mentioned standouts Jai Smith and Bobby Pettiford for their play in the finals. Smith, now standing 6'4, is a shot-blocking machine who Coach Adams says "has a knack for never fouling when going for blocks". Pettiford, on the other hand, is a ballhandling wizard that is an unselfish, team player. Adams said, "He's unselfish, but it can be frustrating because he's also our best shooter. We want him to score and shoot."

Carolina utiilized its elite talent by running a 4-guard lineup, with point guard Terquavion Smith and wings Jarius Northam and Taylor Bell running alongside Pettford and Jai Smith. Bell and Northam provided defense and scoring from the wings, and Bell was usually tasked with defending the other team's second big man. Terquavion Smith ran the point, and on defense used his elite speed and quickness to rack up steals. Terquavion and Jarius are both right around the 5'4\5'5 range, whereas Bell has hit a growth spurt and is now around 5'11.

Coach Adams said they will take the winter off before starting up a big spring and summer next year. For that season, they have picked up 6'3 big man Jadun Michael, a skilled, 6'3 forward that played last season with Team Felton.

While we won't get a chance to see Carolina Elite in action this winter, they'll be at the top of our "Must Watch" list for 2016. We also expect each of their players above to be in contention for our initial 2021 rankings, with Jai Smith and Bobby Pettiford leading the way.