Why this Catawba College-bound duo from Central Cabarrus loves playing together

Most of the Daniel twins ’ 1-on-1 scrimmages growing up would end in a fight.

Chase and Carson Daniel, the duo that powered Central Cabarrus to back-to-back unbeaten seasons , often played competitive games to 21 points outside when they were little. These matchups in the driveway instilled the importance of defense to the All-Observer selections early on.

Both of them were determined to prevent their twin brother from winning, and the competition made them stronger. The high school graduates are heading off to Catawba College , where they have felt like home and are ecstatic for the opportunity to get a shot on the floor right away.

“The 1-on-1’s, really man, that’s what I feel like created the dog in us,” Carson Daniel said after putting up double-figures in Monday’s East-West All-Star Game . “Usually I won a lot. He wouldn’t agree with that, but—”

Carson’s voice trails off slightly as Chase facepalms with a smile. “A lot of the time he says that, he’s lying,” Chase Daniel added.

The Daniel twins push each other

With how much the twins played against — and alongside, as they have on teams throughout their life — each other, they have a lot of chemistry on the court.

They find each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Chase just has more knowledge of Carson’s abilities as a basketball player than anyone else, and vice versa. They push each other and bring out the best versions of themselves that they can.

“Even though in the moment he’ll yell at me, and I’ll tell him, ‘Hey, don’t talk to me,’” Chase Daniel said, “I take in what he says, and he gives me another viewpoint on everything that happens. And that’s what we need to stay competitive and compete.”

Added Carson: “Sometimes, someone will be dribbling down the court. I’ll make eye contact with Chase, and I just know, ‘Hey. Let’s go.’ It’s just that bond. We’re so in sync. It’s like that twin telepathy thing.”

A historic run with the Vikings

Central Cabarrus has put together an astounding 95-1 record over the past three seasons. The Vikings’ second straight win in the NCHSAA 3A title game improved their current win streak to 65.

Jim Baker, now the head coach at Cannon School , was in the building on Monday night for the all-star game wearing a black and green Vikings shirt. The Daniel twins shared a moment with their high school coach postgame — alongside their coaches of the future.

More than two years after Catawba College men’s basketball head coach Rob Perron and assistant Joe Adgate began recruiting them as sophomores at Central Cabarrus, they joined Baker alongside the duo following the All-Star Game.

And brought Catawba basketball greatness with them: Jolly Manning, a Rocky Mount native who played for the Harlem Globetrotters .

“There’s such a community and family bond at Catawba,” Chase Daniel said. “All the guys seem just like us, and they all love to compete. We were up there this summer, and as we were playing and working out, it’s just great being there.”

Added Carson: “It just felt like home.”