Head coach Daniel Griffee captured the attention of North Carolina last year after an impressive showing, securing a 22-4 overall record, a 13-1 conference record, and being one of the top teams in the 1A Class of North Carolina.
But the Mariners aren’t looking in the past but now focusing on the present, as they sit undefeated on the season and making a statement in the Coastal 8 Conference once again. This is a team that has an array of talent and experience and it doesn’t seem like they will be going away any time soon.
They are led by their leader, 2021 Bennie Brooks, who is averaging nearly 22 points, eight rebounds, 3.5 assists, and five steals per game. We featured the senior guard last year, where we had this to say about his game:
“He’s a strong, crafty guard prospect with great size, vision, and scoring prowess. Brooks has all the tools to be an impact player at the Division I level…” (Full article)
Then you start adding in freshman Shamel Baker, who has been terrific early on in his high school career, averaging nearly 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, and 2.5 steals per game this season. He was a huge part of Eastern Carolina Phenomz, who attended multiple Phenom events in 2020, and it seems that he is just continuing his stellar play into the season.
“He is an unselfish star,” Eastern Carolina Phenomz coaching staff told Phenom Hoops. “He has the ability to take over on both ends of the court. Scores all three levels, is a great teammate, and a great person.”
Then you have others like 2023 Jacob Nelson, Josef Lawrence, 2024 Charles Matheka, and others really stepping up this season and early on in their career.
There is no doubt about it though, the Mariners are looking like a program to stick around with their winning ways, even after this season with the talent they have. But this season, East Carteret is a team that should be recognized with some of the best in the 1A of North Carolina.