Taft’s Drew makes highly anticipated debut on Tobacco Road

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Christmas came a day late for North Carolina basketball fans. That, however, was just fine for anxious onlookers who got a glimpse of the future Wednesday as Tar Heel commit Larry Drew and Taft High visited the Dean Dome and practiced in preparation for this week’s GSK Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.

Carolinians who missed Drew the first time around, fear not. The Toreadors, ranked No. 3 in The Times’ preseason poll, face Jordan from Durham, N.C., in a first-round game Thursday. Beyond that, a showdown against the winner of Southern Durham and Raleigh Word of God Christian Academy looms Friday.

‘I’m getting familiar with my surroundings. It’s exciting,’’ Drew said via cell phone Wednesday evening following a 1 1/2-hour practice. ‘I’m not used to things around here yet, but it’s becoming easier. This is going to be my home, this is where I’m going to spend the next four years of my life.’’

In the meantime, he’s focused on helping Taft make a deep run in a tournament loaded with good teams. National powerhouse DeMatha of Hyattsville, Md., is on the other side of the bracket, and don’t be surprised if the Tar Heel faithful become Toreador fans for a day if Drew & Co. meet the Stags in Saturday’s championship game.

-- Sean Ceglinsky