By: Cooper Hart
Wake Tech CC vs SFG Prep
Central Carolina CC vs Davidson-Davie CC
Louisburg College vs Spartanburg Methodist College
6’4” So. Eddie Volkerts (Wake Tech CC)
Volkerts was dynamic in their season-opening win against SFG Prep, finishing with an efficient 18p, 7r, 4a, and 2s. He was hard to stop getting to the rim, displaying great body control on drives. He has plus-level length and good positional size, making it difficult for opposing wings to keep him contained. He didn’t waste dribbles or stagnate the offense when he had the ball, playing off the catch well and making good decisions with consistency. He should see an even larger uptick in scoring as the jumper comes around.
6’3” Fr. Jesse Mitchell (Central Carolina CC)
In his first college game, Mitchell shined as the clear number one option for the Cougars, finishing with 24p against a top five team in the country in DDCC. Known as a shooter, Mitchell lived up to his reputation, hitting a wide variety of jumpers from multiple levels and different situations. He was also active on the defensive end, staying engaged, containing quicker guards, and getting his hand in passing lanes despite leading the game in minutes. His low-maintenance play style and efficient scoring ability should see him be one of the more consistent scoring threats in Region X.
6’1” Fr. Kobe Parker (Davidson-Davie CC)
Parker was hyper-efficient in his college debut, finishing with 26p and shooting 6/11 from three en route to a 20-point win. He was hitting shots from all over the place and doing so without eating up time, touches, or dribbles. He was able to get hot and stay hot while still being an absolute pest defensively and prioritizing the right play. He was constantly involved on the defensive end, especially at the top of their press, and did a great job of forcing turnovers without overextending himself. Look for him to be an integral part of the backcourt as they look to push for another national title appearance.
6’2” So. Jayden Munson (Louisburg)
Munson shined as a floor general and playmaker in their Saturday loss to SMC, initiating offense and knocking down shots at a high level. He shined as a passer, making numerous kick-outs and skips that created wide-open looks for his teammates. He displayed excellent vision and accuracy on his passes and there was a clear difference in the overall efficiency of the offense when he was on the court vs on the bench. He also shined as a shot maker, making a handful of jumpers both off the catch and off the dribble.
6’3” So. Major Freeman (Spartanburg Methodist)
While the SMC lineup is incredibly balanced, Freeman stood out due to his consistent and unwavering impact on the game. He was able to get into the paint whenever he wanted, forcing heavy defensive rotations, and capitalizing on any miscommunication. He consistently made simple passing reads, finding cutters, shooters, and dump-offs with relative ease. He displayed great body control and toughness when finishing at the rim as he was efficient when absorbing contact and finishing through traffic. He was also a constant pest defensively, pressuring the ball and disrupting the otherwise efficient Louisburg offense.