How will Oak Hill bounce back'

After a disappointing and heartbreaking overtime loss to Combine Academy at the Carmel Christian Tip Off Classic, look for Oak Hill to play with a more sense of urgency. While Oak Hill didn't play bad in the loss, it wasn't one of the better performances either. Oak Hill will open up with Crestwood Academy of Canada featuring 6'6 sensation Elijah Fisher. The matchup between Cam Thomas (Oak Hill) and Elijah Fisher (Crestwood Academy) should be well worth the price of admission. Last season, Oak Hill beat Crestwood 73-71 in overtime at the Big Atlantic Classic and this year's contest promises to be another nail biter.

Greenfield vs. Henderson Collegiate

This is shaping up as the Battle of the 1A classification in North Carolina. Greenfield is the defending NCISAA 1A champion and Henderson Collegiate was the NCHSAA 1A runner-up. We have the favorites at the public schools vs. the favorite at the private school level. Greenfield features 6'5 Wake Forest commit Dji Bailey, 6'1 Creighton Lebo, and 6'7 Trey Pittman while Greenfield counters with a solid six-man rotation of Kaleb Matthews, Javonte Waverly, Nick Green, AK Holden, and JaQuaveon Venerable. Henderson Collegiate opened up with two tough losses against Piedmont Classical and Moravian Prep. Henderson Collegiate will be battle tested early and this game should help answer al lot  of early season questions surrounding both teams.

Moravian Prep vs. ISA Academy must-see TV

Moravian Prep showed up at the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic and displayed why they are ranked as the top program in the state.' They have firepower and talent all over the place, which includes Top-25 talent Josh Hall, point guard Shakeel Moore, and much more.' They are simply the talk of the state and could be in for a terrific start with another impressive showing in Raleigh.' But on Friday night, they will go up against ISA Academy, a team that has national talent that includes Top-100 prospect Keon Ambrose (Josh Hall vs. Keon Ambrose should be HUGE) but also 7'0 Charles Bediako, who is ranked as a Top-30 prospect for his class.' This is a clash of two talented teams, as they meet up in Raleigh, North Carolina.' It will be a must-see TV with future pro's clashing together.

Liberty Heights vs. Concord First Assembly gets the party started on Saturday

Two teams that many may not know of yet, especially if you weren't able to make it out to Charlotte this past weekend, while kick off the event on Saturday in style.  Division I talent all over the court and two teams ranked in Phenom Hoops' Sweet 16 rankings (top teams in the state of North Carolina), this will be a battle between two talented and experienced teams.  Concord First Assembly has talent and experience, as they look to show why they were regarded as one of the best teams in the state to start the season.  Liberty Heights on the other end has a ton of undervalued talent along with size and length.  They also showed why early on to start the season why they may be one of the most dangerous teams in the state of North Carolina that many aren't talking about.  Well, someone will come away with a BIG win to start the event on Saturday.

Jaden Bradley Proved to be Elite (nation's top PG in 2022)

It is not often that a player has a bigger national reputation that he does in his own back yard, however that seems to be the case with Jaden Bradley of Cannon Schools. Regarded nationally as the top point guard in the 2022 class, locally, he just doesn't have that buzz, well should we we change that sentiment now as he built that buzz for himself during his first game of the season last Saturday. After a 21 point, 9 rebound, 5 assists, 4 steal performance against 2-time defending state champion Carmel Christian, Bradley is going to make sure you take notice. We are talking the player who had the director of USA Basketball, Don Showalter, on the edge of his seat at the Carmel Tip Off Classic. He is a true point guard, a throwback if you will, some one relishes in making everyone around him better. All the while, Bradley is able to go out and get his. There is a reason he is ranked as the top point guard in his class, and a top 10 player in the country, and he is looking to show that every time he steps onto the floor.

How Good is Charles Bediako (Canada's top prospect in 2021)

The 7' junior is considered the top ranked Canadian prospect in his 2021 class, that is saying something considering the talent which has come out of Canada over the past 10 years. 247 Sports and ESPN both have Bediako ranked 34 in the class nationally.' This summer Bediako played on the Canadian U19 team in the FIBA games where he averaged 9 points, 5 boards and 1.5 blocks, playing up 2 age groups, in 18 minutes per game. Bediako is a rim running big man, who moves extremely well for his size. At his best he is a rim protector and shot blocker and is showing his ability to face up a little bit offensively, but mostly playing out of the dunk spots and hunting put backs. At only 17 years old, there is a world of upside here as he continues to get better every time out, and already this season Bediako was name All Tournament at the Caribbean Tip Off Classic. With the likes of Duke, Ohio State, Gonzaga, Michigan State, etc'on him, those schools don't recruit scrubs.

Jaylon Gibson and Keeyan Itejere Take on Oak Hill

Everyone already knows about Oak Hill Academy, the biggest powerhouse in high school basketball, but very few know about what's brewing at GRACE Christian between Jaylon Gibson and Keeyan Itejere. Oak Hill should probably win this game by double-digits, but this will be an interesting preview of what Gibson (committed to Wake Forest) and Itejere (an underrated prospect) can do against high-level size. Additionally, Jacob Hukins, another potential Division I prospect, will be tasked with trying to contain some of the most electric guards in the country. 

Will Combine Academy Further Their Reign'

This past weekend, Combine Academy re-entered the scene with a revamped roster and coaching staff'featuring Jeff McInnis at the head of it all. They absolutely battled against a nationally-ranked Oak Hill squad, ultimately winning and establishing themselves as a team ready to win immediately. The next night, they simply demolished The Burlington School'a team that arguably has more on-paper talent. It simply doesn't matter, Combine is special and they've proven it. They are headlined by Jalen Hood-Schifino, but have a slew of phenomenal prospects varying in age. Kris Robinson and Robert Dillingham are already major difference-makers, Lawrence Frost adds toughness, Mekhi Grant is another big-time young prospect, Jacori Owens and Jamylan Blakeney have taken obvious steps forward. Now, they prepare to go toe-to-toe with ISA Academy, which has no shortage of big-time prospects. Can they sustain this impressive start' We'll find out this Saturday.

What kind of statement is Elijah Fisher Capable of'

There’s a lot of hype surrounding Canadian Freshman sensation Elijah Fisher and for good reason. He’s widely regarded as the top prospect in North America for the 2023 class and has captivated the social media audience with his jaw dropping dunks, freakish displays of athleticism, and overall high talent level. He’s going up against a national brand/power in Oak Hill Academy and one of America’s top scorers in Cam Thomas. He has an opportunity to make a statement on Friday night with the big lights focused in on him. The following day he has a quick turnaround against a new look Trinity Christian squad with a group of fearless young and talented players, looking to steal the spotlight from the Canadian sensation. We know Fisher is a super talented young man with all of the potential in the world, but how capable is he of taking over all conversation surrounding this event' We’ll have to find out this weekend.

Shakeel Moore Against His Former Team

Anytime you have a chance to go up against your old team, you want to show out for it and that will be the case for Shakeel Moore as he goes up against his old Piedmont Classical squad on Saturday afternoon. Shakeel has been playing the best basketball of his life lately. He’s still maintaining the notorious tenacity he brings on the defensive end of the floor with elite vertical explosiveness. Now his offensive skillset is more refined and he’s becoming a better and better jump-shooter in every viewing. He’ll have the likes of Jamarii Thomas and Trent McIntyre hounding him all night long, representing a talented Piedmont Classical team that comes into every game with a chip on their shoulder. It should be an exciting battle between two of the state’s best teams with a little extra wrinkle of drama to make the game that much more interesting.