CARY — Monroe Faulkner, a freshman basketball player at Person High School, has been invited to participate in Dave Telep’s Carolina Challenge, to be held Saturday, March 29 at Cary Academy.

Faulkner, a 6-4 forward who played varsity this season, is among the 80 North Carolina high school players hand-picked to attend this event.

In its second year, the Carolina Challenge has rapidly become the signature event for the state’s top players. Only the best freshmen, sophomore and juniors have been chosen for this invitation only, one-day academy that not only showcases the talent in the state, but also emphasizes what it means and takes to become a college basketball player.

Players will be divided into eight teams of 10 players each for scrimmages, and will also attend skill sessions conducted by Denny Kuiper, a former high school coach from the state of Michigan and an academic advisor for the Marquette University basketball program.

Last year more than 15 media members covered the event and the participants were showcased in front of multiple voters for the McDonald’s All-American team as well as other state and national awards.

At the 2007 event, 24 of the top 25 overall prospects in North Carolina attended, including Ty Walker, the 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year.

If you are interested in covering this event, please contact Dave Telep at the phone number (919) 523-2480, or e-mail address davetelep@mindspring.com. For more information, please visit carolinachallenge.net