GREENVILLE, S.C. | Young Harris men's basketball was selected to finish seventh in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll. The Mountain Lions wrapped up last season with a 17-12 overall record and went 11-7 in conference, finishing second to Emmanuel in the Southwest Division.

Young Harris returns its entire starting lineup from last season. Junior standout Carl Cleveland will look to lead the Mountain Lions. He led the Purple and White last season, starting in all 29 games averaging 17.7 points and 7.8 boards per game. Carl's dominance earned him First Team All-Conference honors.

Other leading scorers returning to the hardwood for YHC are Karl Chavis, Cole Deptula, and Kolbe Ashe. Chavis averaged 16.2 ppg in 2023 and scored a team-high 15 points in the Mountain Lions exhibition against Louisville last week. Cole Deptula also averaged double digit scoring, 14.2 ppg last season and secured 86 rebounds. Ashe is the main facilitator for the Purple and White. He concluded 2023-24 with 7.1 ppg, a team-high 77 assists, and shot stellar 82% from the charity stripe.

The Mountain Lions welcome in four freshmen, (Justin Payne, Jack Oakley, Ernesto Almonte, Ryan Williams) and two transfers (Roderick Gardner and John Maxwell) to the team this season.

Young Harris plays tomorrow in their annual Purple and White game at 7:30 p.m. in the Harp and Recreation Center. The Mountain Lions open regular season play against Georgia College on Friday, November 8^th at the Southeast Region Crossover Classic.