Feb. 1, 2012 - The most important thing you can do as a high school player in North Carolina right now is to finish your season strong. Nothing can replace the pursuit of a championship. It's time to lock in on what your coach is saying, lock out the extraneous voices in your ear and enjoy the ride that the next few weeks can provide.

The second most important thing you can do is to turn in your registration for the 2012 Carolina Challenge. This year is a little different. The 2013 class in our state is deep and laced with numerous DI players. In fact, we've invited more 2013 kids than any other class in the history of The Challenge. The thinking is these kids have earned the right to compete for scholarships. Because of that, for the first time in the event's history, I've invited more players than we have spots for. That means the first 80 invitees to turn in their paperwork will lock in spots. Consider this your first foray into earning a scholarship. Take the responsibility head on, get your paperwork turned in and go out and win a state championship! MORE HERE 

The Carolina Challenge, in its sixth year, is the signature event for the state of North Carolina's top prospects. The only one-day, statewide event of its kind in the United States, the Challenge brings together the state's elite prospects under one room for a day of competition with a slant on life skills, academics and college preparation.

Since 2007, the event has seen five McDonald's All-Americans, five Jordan Brand participants and one No. 1 NBA DRAFT pick participant in camp. Before John Wall rocked the University of Kentucky and NBA, he played twice at the Carolina Challenge. In addition to Wall, the entire Plumlee Family -- Miles, Mason and Marshall -- participated in the first four events. Last year alone, 15 players signed with BCS-level programs.

Invitations to the event are hard to come by and only 80 players attend each year making the Carolina Challenge the place to be for the state's best. This year we've changed locations and the event moved to picturesque Ravenscroft School in Raleigh.

• 2012 Carolina Challenge Players