Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk :— Charlie Watts (Saffron Waldon, Essex) Signs with Mount Olive College (Mount Olive, North Carolina USA) to continue his academic and basketball career.
Charlie becomes the 3rd CU player to sign with an American University this year, the 2nd County Upper player to sign with an NCAA D2 school, and the 13th overall player to join American University in three years.
Over the years the Mount Olive men’s basketball programme has aquired a very strong basketball reputation. Mount Olive is coached by coach Joey Higginbotham. Coach Higginbotham took over the Mount Olive programme in 2008. While as an assistant Coach Higginbotham helped guide the Trogans to 1 NCAA Regular Championship, 3 Regional Championship and 1 Conference Title. Since taking over in 2008 Coach Higginbotham has continued with great success having won 2 Conference Carolinas Championships, one Conference Tournament Championships and one National Tournament appearance. Since becoming the head coach in 2008 Coach Higginbotham has coached two All Conference and two All American players.
Charlie had this to say about joining Mount Olive College :
“ County Upper Basketball Academy has changed my life. After completing my A levels at another 6th form, I decided to have one last shot at basketball and attended County Upper during my ‘gap year’. Coach Johnson told me that if I worked hard, there was every opportunity to get to an American university. I have matured as both an athlete and as a person, while at County Upper , as the academy has allowed me the independence needed to become a successful student-athlete and gain life experience. During my year at the academy I have enhanced different areas of my game and made improvements all round. Dedicating myself to the programme on and off the court has helped me get prepared for the next level. All the hard work has finally paid off and next year I will be playing at Mount Olive College a NCAA D2 university. I would like to thank both Coach Johnson and my parents for giving me this opportunity and allow to me pursue further basketball aspirations”.
Coach Johnson said:
“This is great news for County Upper , Hertfordshire Leopards and Charlie” said Coach Johnson, Director of County Upper Basketball Academy “ Mount Olive will be a great fit for Charlie both academically and with his basketball career. They have a great coaching staff who will support and guide their players. It will be very tough for Charlie but with commitment and dedication both academically and athletically I feel he will do a good job. I am glad to have been able to help Charlie achieve the goal he set out for himself and wish him all the best for next season”.
