WCBA Blue
Douglas Elks has good size and can play several positions in what his coach asks him to do. He can play the point guard to small forward position, spread the defense, and cause havoc for several opponents. Only part of the 2017 class, he still has room to grow but he performed well on Day 1.
Brand X 16U
Makiah Fox proved he was s scorer, putting in 21 points on Day 1. He has good size at the guard position and will be another guy to watch down the road and throughout the weekend if he can do much of the same.
River City Team Iverson
The best player that we might have seen on the floor on Day 1 is 2017 Zach Jacobs. He is a name that should be familiar with Phenom Hoops readers, as he has been featured several times and our analysts are high on this kid. He did much of what he has done all year long. He is a scoring threat down low in the post and knows how to use his body, he runs the floor well, and can rebound with the best of them. He had 23 points in his first game.
Another player that impressed us was 2017 Johquin “Pinky” Wiley, point guard that knows how to get it done on the floor. He can stifle you on defense, he attacks with his quick step and in transition, and he can flat out score with the best of them. He had 24 points to lead all scorers.
Other players to keep an eye on: Mario Haskett (6’3, 2017), Jyles Webster (6’6, 2017)
Team Celtics 17U
Devontae Baker is an NC Top 80 alum and very familiar playing on the big stage for Phenom Hoops. He excelled in several areas on the court with his athletic ability. He can get up with the best of them and has a unique game that could nicely translate at the next level.
2016 Lee Holmes was a nice surprise on Day 1. Holmes is a 5’9 big guard that can use his size and frame to battle and scrap down low, but also knock down the outside shot. His confidence grew throughout the game, hitting big shot after big shot from deep on Day 1. If he can continue that throughout the weekend, he is a sleeper to watch.
Carolina Crossover 17U
If you want a quick, head always up, out in transition guard, look no further than Deondre Moore. He showed tremendous hands on defense, looking to create a turnover without fouling and was successful most of the night. He loved to get out in transition and make plays by scoring or finding his teammates. Moore also showed that he is a more than capable knockdown shooter from the outside. He certainly was one of the top players of Day 1 at Northwest. He finished the night with 20 points against Team Celtics 17U.
Vance Granville Warriors 16U
The player that might have increased or gained recognition the most from Day 1 is 6’2, 2016 Dashawn Lewis. When you see him at first, he can surprise you on what he can do on the court. He was a natural scorer and dominated the game with 28 points, draining six three’s. His big frame can make it hard for opponents, as he can easily body smaller guards up.
Jeremee Silvers, 6’4 and part of the 2017 class, had a high motor throughout the game Day 1. He is a super athletic and can jump out of the roof. He showed great skill on the glass and rebounding, just was that high energy guy that every coach loves to have.
Team F.L.Y. 16U
Henderson Lentz is a name Phenom Hoops is familiar with and an in-state product that gets the job done. He knows what he can do on the court and isn’t afraid to hit the shot from behind the arc. He has good size for a guard and is a key part to the team. If he starts to hit the outside shot that he is capable of doing, it only opens it up more for him in the lane.
Kortez Weeks is another in-state product that played well in what he does on the court. He was one of the best defenders we saw on Day 1 at Northwest and he prides himself on it. Weeks seems to play with a huge chip in his shoulder, playing with intensity on both ends of the court.
Carolina Preps 15U
This was an intriguing team that started out slow but continued to fight before falling in a heartbreaker. However, there were a few that really impressed at a young age.
2018 6’3 Terrell Davis has very good size and looks like he will continue to grow. He already has developed a nice post game with good hands and seemed to excel with his back to the basket moves. He also showed that he wears his emotions on his shoulders and was the vocal leader throughout. His high energy and motor down low showed on both ends and will be catching the eyes of many this weekend.
2018 Jacob Riddles was simply fantastic and a true floor general with an added dimension of scoring in the paint. He distributed the ball nicely, especially to his big men when flashing in the paint and also showed that he can get the job done when he attacks the rim.
Others to watch: Thomas Smith (6’1, 2018 – three point specialist and can shoot with confidence), Adam Lovelace (6’3, 2018 – big man with a smooth game in the paint, really works hard in the post)
Greensboro Warriors
2018 Elijah Haynes showed a nice game Day 1 against Carolina Preps. Solid point guard that lets the game come to him and always has his head up, looking for his open teammates. Showed nice poise handling the ball and when the game came down to the final minutes, he hit some very critical shots.