Cole Hicks
Twitter: @cole_hicks1
Height: 6’1, 165
Class of 2025
School: Boyd County High School, KY
Hicks is a dynamic game-changer who can torch the nets from downtown with a smooth touch. However, he can be electric off the bounce and finish strong at the rim. Cole is a natural playmaker with great court vision and a high IQ. He loves fueling his teammates with timely passes. Mixes it up on the boards effectively. Cole also takes a lot of pride in being a defensive stud. Tough and gritty and doesn’t mind physical play or being physical himself. Cole enters every game with the purpose and passion to impact the game on both ends doing whatever his team needs to get that dub! Last season Cole averaged 18 points while shooting 50% from the floor and 37% from 3, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. In his AAU session, Cole averaged 15 points while shooting 42%, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. The biggest improvements for Cole are being more physical and aggressive with a passion for getting more boards, attacking the basket off the bounce, and finishing at the rim. No longer settling for just being a shooter. Cole’s goals entering the season are to win the region and play in the state Championship at Rupp Arena. With the district championship in hand, he and his team have entered the regional tournament. Along the way, Cole tied the most three-pointers in a single game with 10 threes. and has already earned the 16th region 1st Team. Cole finished the season averaging 15 points while shooting 51.5% from the field and 39% from 3, 4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. What separates Cole is his intense work ethic and willingness to put in the work to keep getting better and stay consistent in that pursuit. Being a dual sport athlete this is second nature. Also, Cole is very unselfish and wants teams to win over personal recognition. Cole is the perfect point guard with the IQ to make game-winning decisions without fail. Cole is always a high achiever in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA while taking honors. Cole has the skills, athletic ability, and drive to be a D1 prospect. A lower level is an option if the right opportunity. But he will continue working to be the best version of himself and keep pursuing the highest level. Watch him this postseason to see how high he can fly.
Dominic Pennzello
Twitter: @dompennz
Height: 6’2 , 175
Class of 2025
School: Mount Signal High School, NY
Pennzello is a dynamic athlete who is a lethal silky smooth shot from downtown. Electric off the bounce with crafty moves and slick handles to burst into the seams and finish strong in the midrange or at the rim. And if the defense collapses he can drop some sweet dimes. He is also very effective at snatching boards and is an outstanding defender. The deceptive speed that gets him anywhere he wants to go at will. Last season, Dominic averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks. Dominic played AAU for Long Island Sound and his favorite memory was scoring 25+ points a game during every AAU tournament with that team. Dominic’s biggest improvement was his ball handling. As an underclassman, Dominic was a 3 and D player. With his growing role as an upperclassman has changed to a primary scorer and due to the constant double teams, face guarding, and box and 1s Dominic knew he had to improve his ball handling drastically. Also improved his assists. With the defense making everything 1000 harder, Dominic knew he had to find a way to punish those defenses stacked against him. At the beginning of the season, he certainly wasn’t ready but by midseason, his passing went to another level and his goal is to continue to improve it more heading into next season. Dominic finished the season averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Going into this year’s AAU session, Dominic has proposed to expand his game by becoming a better defender in hopes of using his mastery of both offensive abilities and defensive swag he can draw the eyes of even D1 coaches and bring in a few offers. Dominic may not be the freshest kid in the gym but he will be the grittiest get-it-done type player every time. His mission is always to win while not allowing anyone to outwork him. Dominic has unlimited shooting range and loves battling on the boards. though he is undersized. His IQ drives him to focus on the details while doing the dirty work like taking charges and getting on the floor for loose balls, while being consistent at making game-winning plays. That will to win coupled with his intense work ethic and solid skills sets him apart. and helps with the assurance he can compete anywhere with anyone. His mindset is players that work extremely hard every single play are a dying breed and he will be known as one of those. Never afraid of tough environments and lives for those big moments most kids shy away from. In clutch moments Dominic wants to be that guy with ice water in his veins. Nothing phases him in those moments and will get it done even if there is an immense amount of pressure. Get this young star on your radar and track him hard. You won’t be disappointed.
Jaden Stewart
Twitter: @TheBeastJay21
Height: 6’5, 197
Class of 2025
School: Pike County Central High School
Stewart is a powerful athlete who uses his size and strength to be an opposing force on both ends of the court. But his versatility makes him a tough cover with the ability to play 1-5 effectively. Jaden has good ball-handling skills to be a strong facilitator, great footwork, and nice size to be dominant in the post. A fierce mid-range and can knock down the three when needed. He uses his long wingspan to impact gobbling up boards and plays outstanding defense. Jaiden is a ruthless shotblocker. Gets a lot of steals as well. Last year Jaden averaged 20 points, 8.9 rebounds (for a total of 579 points and 257 rebounds), 65 total 3P 36% from the 3, 49.3 FG%, and 67.8% from FT. In the AAU Jaden averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds. His favorite accomplishment from AAU was winning the Big Shots National Championship. Jaden’s biggest improvement has been his footwork and speed. Jaden’s goals going into the season were to repeat as district champions for 3rd straight year and a state tournament appearance earning All-State mention, All-Region, 1st region team, and all-district. They did three-peat as regional champions. Coaches should know what separates Jaden from the rest is his length and shooting ability. Also noteworthy in that is his ball handling, low post footwork, and dominance with his back to the basket. His shot blocking is top notch and ability to play multiple positions. He runs the court well and flows off the three well. Jaden has an intense work ethic and a high ceiling. Jaden would consider a lower division if it’s a good fit. It is region time, keep an eye on this young star.