The Raleigh Hawks, this weekend's third seed in the nine team varsity boys division, is new to the Augusta area. But the 13 year old program sports a history of consistent success and an exciting style of play. After losing its starting backcourt to graduation, North Carolina's defending state home school champions have rebuilt around a sharp shooting eighth grader and solid inside play.
Coach Matt Finneran has led the Hawks for the team's entire history. And his son Sean, who led last year's team in scoring with nearly 16 ppg, is now the starting point guard at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. Finneran and fellow 2013 graduate Danny Barnette helped the Hawks gain post season success last season with a potent perimeter attack. But this year's team is led by Danny's brother Chris Barnette, a sharp shooting 8th grader who has moved full time to varsity and junior varsity play after leading Raleigh's middle school team to last season's East Coast Homeschool Basketball Championship in Lynchburg, VA. Barnette scored 36 points in the championship game and earned MVP honors.
Barnette can bury it from deep, handle the ball deftly, float mid range shots over taller opponents, and create open shots for teammates. He is the team leader in points and assists. Isaac Green is the team's top rebounder. Raleigh has relied on long range shooting and creative guard play to achieve post season success in recent years. And despite a new core, the Hawks look poised to continue the trend this Friday and Saturday.
See Barnette in clips above from his 7th grade season.
See the full 2014 NCHBC Southeast Sub Regional Homeschool tournament schedule here.
See the full 2014 NCHBC Southeast Sub Regional Homeschool tournament schedule here.
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