There has been plenty of talk surrounding this year’s Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina but… if you needed a few more reasons for why this is a must-see event, Phenom Hoop Report is happy to provide that for you.

Here are 10 reasons why you will want to come out to Carmel Christian (and get there early) both on Friday and Saturday from our staff at Phenom Hoops.

Jaden Bradley

Scoring machines highlight Friday Night
– Patrick O’Brien

So, if you haven’t heard already, Oak Hill’s Cam Thomas is an absolute bucket-getter.  Possibly the best in the country and there doesn’t seem to be anyone that can stop him.  Averaging well over 30+ points per game so far this season, he will look to do it once again under the bright lights.  Hickory Grove Christian’s own guard, 2021 AJ Smith, can fill it up as well and is regarded as one of the best scorers in the state of North Carolina.  After averaging25 points per game last year, what will he show to start the season off coming into his junior season?  These two guards are worth the price of admission by themselves.

Jaden Bradley is the Country’s #1 PG in His Class
– Jamie Shaw

There is no way around it, Jaden Bradley is a consensus Top 10 prospect in the 2022 class, which makes him the top-ranked point guard in his class. Bradley is a team-first guy, one who truly makes everyone around him better. Bradley’s Cannon School opens the season up against the home team Carmel Christian. It will be a great crowd and the atmosphere should be off the charts. One thing is for sure, Bradley is someone people need to put eyes on, he is an elite prospect, and you know how good point guards who come from the Hoop State are…

Concord First Assembly vs. Moravian Prep one of the top games
– Rick Lewis

On Friday night, the big matchup is set. We have the anticipated matchup between Combine Academy vs. Oak Hill Academy. You have former Oak Hill player Jeff McInnis going head to head against his former coach Steve Smith. This alone will grab the headlines, but the Concord First Assembly vs. Moravian Prep might be one of the events top games. Concord First Assembly returns a veteran roster of 6’9 Garrett Hein (Furman), 6’8 Cheick Traore (Youngstown State), 6’4 Ambaka LeGregam (Presbyterian College) along with 5’11 seniors Isaac Boothe, and 6’3 junior Trae Benham. In the three scrimmage games at the Phenom High School Jamboree, Concord First Assembly played extremely well as a team where all ten players scored in two of the games while nine players scored in the other.  On the other hand, Moravian Prep may have the most talent of any team in the state. Featuring 6’8 Five Star Josh Hall, 6’0 Shakeel Moore, 6’3 Darrius Davis, 6’8 Luke Davis, 6’10 Jarzavia Belton, 6’5 Jamarhi Harvey and a host of others. Concord First Assembly has balance and depth and if they can handle the intense pressure defense by Shakeel Moore and Darrius Davis on the perimeter and also in the backcourt, this game could get very interesting. That’s a big “if” but one thing is for certain, Concord First Assembly fully believes they can play with the multi-talented Moravian Prep team.


Carson McCorkle

Javonte Waverly Vs Shakeel Moore
– Miles Masercola

6’2 2021 Javonte Waverly (Henderson Collegiate) and 6’0 2020 Shakeel Moore (Moravian Prep) bring a similar element of intensity on both ends of the court. Waverly is about to truly burst onto the recruiting scene this year with the way he can create offense for others and set the tone on the defensive end for his squad. He’ll be going up against Shakeel Moore, one of the state’s highest flyers and one of the country’s best on-ball defenders at the point guard position. These two should have a matchup for the ages and something that hoop heads in North Carolina NEED to see.

No drop off from last year for Carmel Christian
– Patrick O’Brien

Head coach Joe Badgett finished the season 31-3 last year, as the Cougars secured the NCISAA 3A State Championship.  But, several of those have now moved on and Carmel Christian comes in with several new names.  However, that doesn’t mean that the Cougars will have much of a drop-off.  Yes, this team has talent and seems to be connecting offensively.  Defensively, this team will have to play a little different than last year but they still have the talent to do so.  It may be hard to secure another 30-win season but with two great tests vs. Northwood Temple and Cannon, we should get a great understanding of what this team is capable of being this season.

Greensboro Day Starts the Season Ranked #26 in the Country
– Jamie Shaw

North Carolina always has ranked teams; the basketball is so good in the state. Starting the 2019-20 season, Greensboro Day is North Carolina’s highest-ranked program, nationally. They have a pair of nationally-ranked prospects in the backcourt, Cam Hayes (who is committed to NC State) and Carson McCorkle (who is committed to Virginia). Add in national prospect Jaydon Young, North Carolina’s reigning leading scorer, multiple offer Bryce Harris along with the likes of Whit Trevey, Cason Pierce and a slew of others. They open their season up with Christ School on Saturday at 3:45.


Justice Ajogbor

Is this the start of the Tay Williams Breakout Campaign?
– Miles Masercola

The Phenom Hoops staff is familiar with 6’8 2020 Forward Prospect Tay Williams of Liberty Heights. He starred in numerous Travel Ball Events this summer with Juice All-Stars and Carolina Pressure, showing his ability to be an athletic inside/outside scorer with a mean streak. Now Williams appears to be buckled down and focused on proving himself as an elite prospect and steady contributor for this Liberty Heights squad. He’ll have a test on Saturday afternoon with a talented Piedmont Classical squad, but this looks like a great opportunity for Williams to make a statement on a big stage.

Jamarii Thomas makes his mark in Charlotte
– Patrick O’Brien

Maybe it is just us at Phenom Hoop Report, but 2021 6’0 Jamarii Thomas of Piedmont Classical will have people talking after the event.  After missing the entire year due to an injury, Thomas is coming for everyone and looking to prove that he is one of the top players in the state for his class. To kick off an exciting Saturday afternoon, Thomas and Piedmont Classical matchup against a talented Liberty Heights program and with what we saw at the jamboree in Greensboro, Thomas is looking to be a known name early on.

The Return of Justice Ajogbor
– Jamie Shaw

Ajogbor made waves recently as the highest ever ranked player to commit to Harvard. He has been injured for the better part of a year and a half, and in that time, he has seen his ranking drop considerably. Well, he is back now and playing at 100%. He is an absolute problem and the best big in North Carolina’s 2020 class. Watch for some monster dunks and some game-changing blocks. Enjoy, he is a Top 100 type prospect, who is not ranked there yet. Christ School plays Friday and Saturday. Ajogbor is one you want to put eyes on as he will make some exciting plays.

Henderson Collegiate, The Burlington School looks to make a name for themselves
– Patrick O’Brien

Both teams come in with a huge chip on their shoulders and with something to prove. Henderson Collegiate has the guard play to compete with a ton of teams and after coming up short last year, they are coming in to show what they are really made of. The Burlington School continues to be a program that is quietly being under the radar by many, especially with high-major talent on the floor. With their matchup vs. Combine Academy, Ja’Dun Michael and company hope to make it known early that they should be considered one of the top programs in the state.