This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise in Advance, North Carolina for our annual Team Camp. This event always serves as a kickstart to June, as players go back to their respective high schools and prepare for the upcoming Live periods. There’s usually a fair number of takeaways but it’s also easy to get carried away or overexcited by the sheer change of pace from travel ball. Either way, various teams made noise, individuals put on notable performances, and coaches were able to assess their rosters. After winning a state championship last year, Central Cabarrus entered the event with that same chip on their shoulder—and subsequently steamrolled the vast majority of their opponents. Though they’ll suffer from losing guys like Jaiden Thompson and Gavin Bullock, this group truly is a well-oiled machine.
It goes without saying, but Carson Daniel and Chase Daniel hold the keys to the success of this group. This team will go as far as this duo can lead them. While both bring massive significance to this group, it starts with Carson—who doubles as a two-way point guard and incredibly unselfish leader. Without dissecting the intricate details and subtleties of his game, it’s easy to see the various ways he’s able to dominate opponents and control a game. He’s a brilliant passer with excellent vision and the ability to see the entire floor at all times. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a full-court missile or a basic entry pass, he’s going to locate and make the right read without fail. Carson is a great penetrator, respectable shooter, and absolutely menacing defender (especially at the point of attack). He plays through contact in every form imaginable, rebounds really well for his size, and naturally forces opponents into countless miscues.
While many of those listed traits also apply to Chase, he also brings a ton of variety to the table. Sure, he’s more than capable of handling the ball, running the team, and causing a ton of problems with his defensive prowess. However, the duo (unsurprisingly) complements each other as well as any pairing in the state. Chase provides an extremely vital three-level scoring punch to the Vikings. Again, he absolutely affects all facets of the game and (like his brother) is smart enough to adapt to any role, but the scoring ability is a huge part of his value. Whether cutting, attacking the basket, converting runners/floaters, or hitting pull-ups or spot-ups, Chase is capable of legitimately scoring in every possible way. That being said, he’s an extremely tough, unselfish player who prioritizes winning over everything else.
Finishing up their new-look trio, Desmond Kent Jr. has loudly burst onto the scene over the last year or so. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward rapidly emerged as an x-factor for the Vikings and has only continued to blossom since then. He’s long, skilled, and athletic with great feel on both ends of the floor. Kent is a quality finisher and useful three-point shooter, but it’s clear that he excels in the midrange. He displays soft touch around the basket, but can also finish through contact with power. Although Kent reliably pulls up from the elbows, he’s genuinely automatic from anywhere within 15 feet. He passes the ball well and looks to make the smart, unselfish decision whenever possible. Add in his rugged defensive presence and overall rebounding ability, and it’s easy to see everything Kent brings to this group. He should definitely appeal to scholarship-level coaches as he enters his senior season.
Rounding out this group, guys like Cayden Smith and Emari Russell should be huge contributors for Central Cabarrus. Smith is a reliable shooter with solid size, energy, and defensive instincts while Russell is a tough, scrappy, well-rounded guard. Both guys already seem to understand how to play in this fast-paced system with constant ball movement and suffocating defensive pressure. Obviously, they’ll continue to work out the kinks but it looks like these two will provide meaningful minutes throughout the upcoming season. Expect this squad to make another championship run and (barring something unforeseen) compete for back-to-back championships.