"Inner city kid hopes to excell in new environment"

Vol.1

Huntersville- Ask any SouthLake Christian Academy basketball player. They will tell you that height is the most important aspect of the game. After Andrew Howard, the heart and soul of last year’s team graduated, the Eagles were void of a bigman. This disparity of height would be a contributing factor in most of their games if the problem was not adressed. Coach Rodney Monroe, a former NC State and professional basketball player, knows this all to well,but as fortune would have it, a new player fell into his grasp.

Kevin Wharton-Price, a junior from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, transferred to SouthLake this summer. Standing 6 feet, four inches from the ground, and weighing 210 pounds, Price offers SouthLake intangibles that they desperately need.

“He really stands out,” said Monroe. “We don’t have very much size here at SouthLake, so that was my first impression of him.”

Price chose to take the seven-hour trek from the inner city of Pittsburg to the suburbs of Charlotte for better platform to shine. For decades, the state of North Carolina has been revered nationally as a fetile land to grow basketball players, producing crop to feed true elite collegiate and professional basketball programs. Price likes the challenge and wants to tackle it head on. However, in doing so, he left his 40-year-old mother, Nginia Wharton, almost 450 miles behind.

“We’ve talked about it for years, but when I finally made the decision to move Kevin down here, I was at peace,” said Wharton. “That’s my only son. Even though I won’t be able to spend as much time with him, I had to make some major decisions so he could achieve his goals.”

Wharton-Price grew up as the only child. His father, who played basketball overseas, was not a strong presence in his life. “By the grace of God,” Wharton says she was able to raise her son as a single mother.

“I never thought it would be me who had to leave my mom until college.” For the past 17 years, it was only me and her. Leaving her behind was the toughest part,” said Wharton-Price.

Aside from being the tallest player on the court, Wharton-Price chooses to have a lackadaisical, jovial attitude. He makes himself known by his playful, silly demeanor, and that remains the same when he laces up his shoes and puts on the number 32 jersey.

“When I’m on the court, I feel free. I use basketball as a gateway to relieve my stress,” said Price.

He says the majority of his stress comes from his girlfriend. Whenever they have a fight, Wharton-Price says that he forgets about it when he is on the hard wood. Although he persona gleams that he is a confident individual, at times, he was incredibly nervous when everything first started.

“I was kind of scared at first. I was scared that I would come down here and not live up to my expectations. There was talk of a new kid who could bring a lot to the team. If I don’t live up to that, what’s the point of me coming down here,” said Wharton-Price.

Despite his lack of self-confidence, other people rallied behind him to help him adjust to a new life. Brett Carter Sr., President of Duke Energy in North Carolina, and

Vice President of Distribution in six states, is Wharton-Price’s uncle. For many years, Wharton-Price and Carter’s son, Brett, Jr., had dreamed of playing on the same team together. On a family trip to Pittsburgh last spring break, Carter, Sr. started putting the chips in place.

“When I called his mom, I think we both saw his opportunity to advance his game and come closer to gaining his dream of playing Division I basketball,” said Carter, Sr. “We also thought that some of his friends weren’t exactly giving him a positive influence. Timing was everything.”

Since childhood, Wharton-Price and Brett,Jr., have been more like brothers than cousins. This season, Carter will play shooting guard, a position that relies heavily on the presence of a formidable big man. Since this dynamic duo already has a great connection, Carter,Jr. thinks their games will vastly improve because of his cousin’s relocation.

“It’s great playing with my cousin. I feel like we have great chemistry and we know where to find each other on the floor,” said Carter,Jr. “Since he is here, he pushes me harder and I have to strive to be better than he is.”

Wharton-Price’s stature alone exponentially gives SouthLake more respect. His presence will make drivers and slashers think twice before attacking the basket. He will also give his teammates confidence--- he will be able to snatch up their misguided shots. Carter, Sr. also says that it gives his household a hefty grocery bill.

Monroe plans to use Wharton-Price as a stretch five, meaning that he will make his mark on the perimeter, as well as under the basket. Playing this type of position calls for Wharton-Price to be effective as a bruiser and post player, while also being a superb jump shooter.

“His athleticism and ability to shoot should be a really positive influence on our basketball team,” said Monroe.

This offseason, Wharton-Price spent the majority of his free time training. This entailed epic one-on-one games in the driveway with Carter,Jr, while also competing on the national spotlight. Last July, Wharton-Price and Carter, Jr. partook in the 2014 AAU Nationals Showcase in Louisville, Kentucky. Alongside Miles Monroe, a fellow SouthLake player and son to coach Monroe, the two cousins helped Pro-Skills Select Basketball’s 16U Gold squad win the Gold division, Copper Bracket Championship. This achievement stands out as one of his proudest moments. It was also a great chance to get accustomed to North Carolinian style of play.

“It was a great opportunity to play in front of all those college coaches and get exposure to the way people down here play,” said Price.

SouthLake’s 2014-15 regular season starts on Nov. 11 at Westminster Catawba, Last year, the Eagles made school history, entering the NC Independent School’s Athletic Association playoffs before being ousted in the first round. If SouthLake hopes to surpass last year’s accomplishments, Wharton-Price will have to be a contributing factor. Even though it was years in the making, and a couple of shed tears along the way, SouthLake finally gained its coveted center.

“I just have to play my best night in and night out. The rest will follow suit,” said Wharton-Price.

Staff: Emmanuel Morgan, Kahlil Robinson

Sources: Kevin Wharton-Price, Ngina Wharton, Rodney Monroe, Brett Carter, Sr. Brett Carter, Jr.