The second day of action at Phenom Hoops' George Lynch Invitational kicked off between Lake Norman High School and United Faith Christian Academy. It began as a lopsided affair in favor of United Faith, featuring a quick double-digit lead behind the scoring of Alex Bates and playmaking from JD Bowden. However, it didn't take long for everyone else to make an impact. Guys like Lance Gill and Evan Morton got involved and consistently made plays within their respective roles. The Wildcats responded after halftime, getting a massive surge from Will Googins and Tre McKinnon to chip away at the sizeable deficit. After narrowing it down to a seven-point game, the Falcons went back to moving the ball and hitting seemingly everything they attempted on offense. United Faith ultimately secured an 90-65 victory over Lake Norman.
Standouts:
It would be extremely difficult to single-out any one contributor, as the aforementioned foursome stood out as the best player on the floor for a period of time. Bates is a massive leader, but doesn't need to dominate the ball in order to make a lasting impression. He's an incredible three-point shooter who can hit jumpers off the catch or bounce, and doesn't mind coming off screens or movement. Bates isn't just a spot-up threat, as he can score from all levels and operate as a secondary creator whenever necessary. He's also a great athlete and reliable defender. Meanwhile, Bowden is able to comfortably control the action as their main playmaker and primary defender at the point of attack. He touches the paint at a high volume and finishes or makes smart passes to set up others. Though somewhat quiet, Gill was as productive as anyone in this showing. He played hard and consistently affected all facets of the game. Concluding the group, Morton ultimately secured the MVP through his balance and well-rounded identity. He created, scored from all levels, and made a variety of plays defensively.
On the other side, Henderson Williams is deserving of recognition for his extremely adaptable, team-oriented approach. He's a natural glue-guy who plays bigger than his listed height and consistently does the dirty work. Williams finishes, rebounds, and defends his position very well. He can also space the floor effectively.
