Newcomers shining for Gaston College basketball team as they continue preseason scrimmage schedule

After playing three teams each the last two weekends in jamborees in Georgia, Gaston College continues preparation for the upcoming 2023-24 season with Saturday's 4 p.m. exhibition game at Clinton College in Rock Hill, S.C.

And interim head coach Jermaine Williams' team has benefitted from a pair of Charlotte newcomers in scrimmages against junior colleges from Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Kush Carter, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound guard from Olympic High School and Moravian Prep, and Judah Ravenell, a 6-3, 200-pound guard from North Mecklenburg High School and Franklin Prep, are newcomers who have shined in early scrimmages and workouts.

"They've come in ready," Williams said of Carter and Ravenell. "Prep school helped them. They're both big guards who can shoot and help us is so many ways."

Carter's recruitment to Gaston College started a year ago after his team played against the Rhinos.

"It's definitely good people and a good staff at Gaston," Carter said of his new school. "We're just trying to build on what has been done and try to get more wins. And I want to get better as a player and an individual."

Carter's skill set helps the Rhinos of both offense and defense as a shooter, scorer, passer and defender.

"It's definitely a faster-paced game," Carter said of junior college basketball. "You've got to be stronger and smarter."

Ravenell didn't know much about Gaston College even as it was 20 miles west of Charlotte.

"I had never really heard of Gaston College," he said. "And then when I heard about them all I knew they didn't have a basketball team until two years ago."

Ravenell and Carter are among 10 North Carolinians on the Rhinos' roster, among them six from Charlotte and one each from Lincolnton and Mount Holly.

"It does feel good to be one of their 'hometown' kids so a lot of family and friends can come see the games," Ravenell said.

Like Carter, Ravenell is expected to provide versatility on the team as a offensive and defensive standout.

"We want versatility to be the hallmark of this team," Williams said.

Williams is happy he's been able to hold on-court practice sessions, on-campus weight training sessions in addition to the recent scrimmages in Georgia; Gaston College played three teams in the Corry Black Hoops Jamboree at the University of West Georgia on October 1 and three more teams in the Battle of the South Jamboree in Marietta, Ga.

"We've gotten to have the greatest first practices you can have in the scrimmages because we get to play games," Williams said. "We just want to get better every day. We have a practice itinerary every day and we come in and work to improve ourselves and our team."

The Rhinos officially open their 2023-24 season on November 2 against first-year Cleveland Community College at 8 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School gymnasium that will again be Gaston College's homecourt.