Phenom High School Jamboree Team Preview
Christ School (Arden, NC)
Coach Scott Willard
By Rick Lewis
Last season, Christ School went 22-11 and lost in the NCISAA state quarterfinals to Providence Day by the score of 63-57. This season, Coach Scott Willard has added high national level prospects to the 2017-18 team. In three seasons at Christ School Coach Willard has a 45-18 record during this rebuilding process. With the addition of 6’4 ’19 Jalen Lecque, 6’10 ’19 Brandon Stone, and 6’4 ’20 Norance Berry to an already talented roster, Coach Willard and Christ School will be in the conversation as one o the premier teams in the state, region and the entire country. Yes, they are that good!
Playing in the powerful NCISAA 3A with the likes of Greensboro Day, Wesleyan Christian, Providence Day, and Ravenscroft, it’s going to be a fun and entertaining season in high school hoops in the state of North Carolina. We believe that Christ School has all the ingredients to be one of the elite teams in the country. Now, lets take a closer look at the impact players for the upcoming season.
6’4 ’19 Jalen Lecque
Jalen’s national reputation is for real! He already sports offers from Kansas, Baylor, NC State, Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia, Minnesota and others. Without question, Jalen will be in the conversation as one of the premier and elite level points guards in the country. We’re talking about a talented, athletic, and explosive point guard that also has a matching skill set. He has all the ingredients; intangibles and attributes to play at the next level after his collegiate days are finished. While Jalen can score at will, he is also a willing and creative passer off the dribble. He has very few weaknesses and he’s going to be a treat to watch this season.
6’10 ’19 Brandon Stone
Before transferring to Christ School, Brandon Stone had a slew of mid major offers. However after watching him in the Phenom Open Gym Tour, we knew it wouldn’t be long before high majors came knocking. As a matter of fact, we stated, “Look for high majors to jump into his recruitment sooner rather than later.” Since then, Brandon has offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and Houston to go along with the dozen offers from mid majors. In Brandon Stone, we’re talking about a mobile, fluid and agile hybrid four that can step out and consistently drain 3-pointers with consistency, not to mention a crafty and highly skilled game in the paint. Brandon is absolutely going to be a mismatch nightmare for opponents this season. In addition, look for his stock to roar even higher. High majors may want to get in as soon as possible. You won’t regret it.
6’4 ’20 Norance Berry
Norance Berry is another player high majors may just want to get involved. Prior to his transfer to Christ School, Norance had a half dozen mid major offers before the University of Tennessee jumped in with an offer. With Norance, we’re talking about an athletic, lengthy, and explosive combo guard that can score off the catch or create his own shot with ease. More importantly, as good as Norance is offensively, he may just be better on the defensive end of the court. In our Phenom Hoop Report Open Gym Report, we stated, ““Berry is an extremely polished two-way wing that will almost certainly find his way on a big-time program. frequently utilizes his long arms to get blocks, steals, and simply make life difficult for opponents.”
6’10 ’20 Justice Ajogbor
Justice has a physically mature frame with an emorance 7’3 wingspan. In addition, Justice is a high-level student athlete and may be the top student at Christ School. He sports an amazing 4.4 GPA and his work ethic is equivalent in the classroom as the basketball court. What’s even more impressive is his willingness to work hard and improve which was evident during open gym. While his athleticism is still a few steps ahead of his overall skill set, he is making tremendous strides in that area as well. Justice has developed a few “go to” moves in the post and will be a force down low in the paint. He’s a tireless worker and he runs the floor extremely well in transition.
6’10 ’21 Gabe Wiznitzer
We strongly feel Gabe could be the sleeper player on this absolutely talented team. We’re talking about a mobile power forward with tremendous shooting range. He has a delicate shooting touch from the perimeter and is a gifted passer as well.