Zach Faircloth and Ryan Hargrave will be freshmen on the 2009-2010 Blue Hose basketball squad as both will begin their college education this fall.

Faircloth is a 6-2 guard from Terry Sanford H.S. in Fayetteville, N.C. A four-year letterwinner, Faircloth was a McDonald's All-American nominee. During his senior season, he led his team to the class 4-A state championship game. The conference Player of the Year, Faircloth also picked up conference tournament MVP honors. He earned first-team all-district 4 honors and was the MVP of the N.C. Eastern Regionals his senior season.

A prolific scorer, Faircloth led the conference and Cumberland County in scoring and three-point field goals made. During his junior season, Faircloth also earned all-district and all-conference accolades.

Prior to his two years at Terry Sanford, Faircloth was a two-year letterwinner at Lakewood H.S. There, he garnered first-team all-conference and all-county honors.

“Zach is one of the best leapers we've ever signed,” Nibert said. “He is a tremendous shooter who can also score in other ways, put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He played in a great high school program and for a well-respected coach in Bill Boyette. Zach's best days are ahead of him.”

Hargrave, a native of Taylorsville, N.C., was a three-year letterwinner at Alexander Central H.S. A 6-6, 215 lb. forward, Hargrave established multiple school records. During his senior season, he set single-season records for points (579) and rebounds (377). He finished his career second on the career list with 1,466 points. Hargrave tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds as a senior, coming off a 20-point per game and 11-rebound per contest average as a junior.

An All-American nominee, Hargrave earned numerous honors his senior season. He garnered conference Player of the Year honors to go along with being named all-conference, conference all-tournament team, all-district and all-region.

“Ryan has tremendous basketball fundamentals,” Nibert said. “He is a great passer, can put the ball on the floor, can shoot the three and can score with his back to the basket. He will play both power forward and post. Ryan comes from a great high school program and was coached by a very well respected coach in Ed Wills.

“We are very excited about the signing of both Zach Faircloth and Ryan Hargrave,” Nibert said. “We will need both student-athletes to step in and play right away.”  

The two signees join Khalid Mutakabbir (6-4 guard - Peachtree Ridge H.S.), Jay Reynolds (6-10 forward ? Maryville H.S.) and Travis Smith (6-3 guard ? Porter-Guad School) who will also join the Blue Hose this fall.

The Blue Hose are coming off a 12-17 overall record and 9-9 in their first year of play in the Big South Conference. PC opens its 2009-2010 slate at Clemson on Nov. 13.