North Meck senior guard set school scoring record

by Cliff Mehrtens



North Mecklenburg High’s Shivaughn Wiggins, the Lake Norman Publication’s 2011-12 Boys Basketball Player of the Year, signed a National Letter of Intent on Monday, April 16, to play at Mount St. Mary’s University.

Wiggins, a 5-foot-10 guard, set a school record last season with a 25.1-point scoring average. He also averaged five assists and three steals and was named the I-MECK 4A conference player of the year.

Wiggins led the Vikings to a 22-6 record and the second round of the N.C. 4A playoffs.

“Mount St. Mary’s coaches showed me the most love,” Wiggins said.

Mount St. Mary’s, in Emmitsburg, Md., is an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Northeast Conference. Jamion Christian, Mount St. Mary’s new coach, recruited Wiggins when he was an



assistant at Virginia Commonwealth.

“I think I fit in with the way he likes to coach. They like to press, and (play) a fast pace,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins said he also considered Jacksonville and Coastal Carolina.

“Shivaughn brings us the speedy, intense, dynamic playmaking ability that Mount point guards have been known for,” Christian said.

Wiggins celebrated the signing at North Mecklenburg’s office, with family, friends, coaches and a colorful cake.

He said he’ll report to Mount St. Mary’s on July 5. He will work to improve his strength and conditioning until then.

Wiggins was quick to credit North Mecklenburg coach Duane Lewis for his two standout seasons as a Viking (his first two years were at Lake Norman Charter). Wiggins topped the 1,000-point mark late in his senior season.

“I feel like Coach Lewis helped out a lot,” Wiggins said. “He had a lot to do with it. He basically taught me how to shoot. I couldn’t shoot at all as a ninth- and 10th-grader.”

Wiggins was named to the North Carolina Prep All-State team and a U.S. Air Force High Flyer finalist as a senior. As a junior, Wiggins earned All-Lake Norman, All-Conference and All-District honors after leading the area in assists (7.5 per game, also a school record).