Top Prospects of North Carolina

Led by Tar Heel commits Cetera DeGraffenreid of 2007 and Candace Woods of 2008, North Carolina makes a strong debut on HoopGurlz.com's series of alphabetized state prospect lists.

PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON

North Carolina seems to be light on the big-name recruits in the 2007 class (only three made the HoopGurlz.com National Hot 100 prospects), but there is some underrated depth in the 2007 class and some potential stars coming in 2008 and beyond.

For the inaugural, alphabetized lists of top 2007 and 2008 prospects in the state of North Carolina:

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Britney Edwards

The 2007 class is led by Cetera DeGraffenreid (North Carolina commit), Katheryn Lyons (Maryland) and Epiphany Woodson (Miami). Also look out for Bryelle Smith (Clemson), Brittany Strachan (N.C. State), Emili Tasler (N.C. State), Brittany Carter (Charlotte) and Brittany Blackwell, a real steal for UNC-Wilmington. Sleepers in the 2007 class include twin guards Nisha and Kisha Long, Lydia Johnson, Latonia Cunningham, 6-foot-5 post Latonia Cunningham, JaToya Kemp and underrated Amber Johnson, a 5-7 combo guard.

In the class of 2008, which may be strong on posts, look out for 6-4 Elizabeth Mass, a strong post whos fundamentally sound; Margaret Harvey, a 5-11 wing, and Anya Knower, 6-2. Also in this class are Candace Wood, a North Carolina verbal who is the daughter of former NBA player Al Wood; Britny Edwards, the daughter of former NBA player Blue Edward; Jennifer Hailey, a 6-3 post; Devona Allgood, another 6-3 post, and Chereya Smith, a multi-dimensional forward.

There are three names to remember for the future - young posts Arieal Johnson and Kylee Beecher and rising sophomore point guard Amber Calvin, who averaged 16 point as a freshman for Fayetteville South View High School.

Harry Ball is a former AAU coach and director for the Wake County Sting, Raleigh, N.C.