RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
We continue to tour the country looking at top teams nationwide at all age divisions and focus on an East Coast team that finished 2019 on an impressive winning streak.
Team North Carolina, led by Brad Huss, ended last year on a 39-game winning streak and finished on top of seven events with two 2nd place finished as a second-year 12U team.
This summer, the team, which is comprised of players from five states, is moving up to 14U and looks to build on its success with a pitching staff that is seven-deep.
Here’s more on the team and organization with insights from Coach Huss…
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When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
The Team NC Organization was started in 2011 by Mike Ward in order to provide student-athletes with the opportunity to grow and develop, as this would guide them towards continuing their softball career at the collegiate level. The Team NC Huss 14U core group of players started out in 10U under Coaches Vogel, Crouch and Jardon. Shortly after, Brad Huss joined the coaching staff in the fall of 2018 as the team would continue to grow and expand.Â
Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)
The team is based out of Lincolnton, NC (just north of Charlotte). We have girls on the team from five different states on the East Coast (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida).Â
What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?
This team was put together because of the amazing talent and potential we saw in each of the girls individually. We knew putting them together would only benefit them more by being able to showcase them together and allowing them to share their individual skills to each of their teammates. Together they have learned to win games, work harder together and most importantly be a team. This team and individual development further led to acquiring a numerous amount of titles and the recognition of our players by coaches at the collegiate level.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
Team North Carolina – Huss finished the 2019 season (split 12/14U) with an overall record of 65-9-2.   The team won 59 of their final 64 games including a 39-game unbeaten streak at the end of the season.   They took home seven championships overall and two runner ups including the following key events:
- PGF Queen City Classic Champions (14U)
- PGF North Carolina State Champions (14U)
- TCS East Coast Summer Nationals Champions (12U)
- USA Softball East Coast Nationals Champions (12U)
- USA Softball of NC States Runner Up (12U)
The team had quality wins over Lady Lightning, Carolina Elite Premier Church (four wins), Carolina Elite Matthews, Hanover Hornets National, Carolina Cardinals National (two wins), EC Bullets Harris, Fury Platinum, PA Strikers.
What makes the organization unique?
The Team NC organization stands out to me as an organization that works together for the players. Ultimately the organization has always been about the girls and helping them reach their goals.  We have a board that is available for any questions or concerns the coaches may have about recruiting, skills camps and day to day operation. Currently the organization fields 21 teams ranging from 10U to 18U.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I started a local organization in 2009 and managed it before I was given the opportunity to move some of my teams to the Team North Carolina organization in 2015. Â I started out with my current 16U/18U team in 10U and have been coaching them ever since. Currently 85 percent of this team is committed to play in college and the others will be committed by the end of 2020. With the 16U/1Uu team ready to go to college in the next year or two I wanted to help this team reach their goals.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
There are 21 teams from 10U through 18U.
*** For more on the team, including the key moment in the team’s history, which happened last summer, and a player-by-player look at the squad, scroll down below…