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Drake Powell is becoming Carolina’s Swiss Army Knife.
The Pittsboro product started his second game at small forward against Virginia in a “big lineup” that had Jae’Lyn Withers at power forward and Ven-Allen Lubin and Jalen Washington sharing the paint.
Powell covered the Cavaliers’ smooth-shooting Issac McKneely who missed two 3-pointers during the Tar Heels’ 21-2 run to begin the game, denying the ACC’s best marksman from the arc any more shots until his team was behind by 19. McKneely eventually scored 13 points – four by free throws on two UNC technical fouls – in the first half.
With Powell still on him in the second half, McKneely scored only four more points, missing all three of his long ball attempts. “I’m pretty comfortable anywhere on the court,” he told the Fayetteville Observer after the big win, when Powell played 32 minutes and Ian Jackson 17 after early foul trouble.
He is overshadowed by Jackson, his fellow freshman and more flamboyant scorer whose non-shooting statistics are eerily similar to Powell in 16 ACC games. For example, they both average just over 3 rebounds, both have 18 assists, Jackson has 12 steals to Powell’s 11 in slightly more playing time. Jackson has started one more game with nine more turnovers, and the two-inch taller Powell has three more blocks. Both have appeared on the NBA mock draft boards and could go after this season.
Where they are not even is scoring. Jackson is averaging 14 points per game and Powell 7.4, reflecting their respective reputations as scorer and defender. Together they can be a lethal combination on Carolina’s crowded perimeter.
“His athletic abilities,” said Lubin, “just being a defensive stopper, and also his scoring ability, is remarkable. For him to play his original position definitely gives him that confidence and the freedom to do what he does best.”
In a great match-up for him, Powell had 11 points on six shots, plus two rebounds and two assists while hounding McKneely for most of his minutes. Only fifth-year grad R.J. Davis had more time on the court, scoring 12 points. Powell had played mostly power forward in a small lineup so far, but the 6-9 Withers’ recent emergence allows him to bang with players his own size while Powell can roam farther out with his speed and length.
As Jackson has thrilled crowds with his dynamic dunks, Powell had the Heels’ first slam against Virginia by gathering an offensive rebound and two-handing it down the cylinder for a 13-2 lead five minutes into the game, igniting the crowd.
A legend at Pittsboro Northwood, Powell did not reclassify as a junior after the Chargers finished runner-up in the state playoffs for the second time in three years. As a senior, he averaged 18 points on 57 percent shooting and 8 rebounds atop his gaudy stats.
Destined to play in the NBA, Powell will have a tough decision on when to enter the draft.
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Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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