This weekend, Phenom Hoops will officially begin our annual Hoopstate Fall League. Previously, games were hosted at Cox Mill and JD Lewis Center, but Rise Indoor Sports will also be added to the mix this year. Between three separate venues, kids from several different areas will have the opportunity to compete against other notable programs as they prepare for the upcoming high school season. Leading up to the preseason contests, we will preview some of the teams registered to attend—looking at The Burlington School.
Given the departure of several pieces, it feels like the start of a new era for Coach Marshall and the Spartans. They might not have the depth of talent, but the energy, ball movement, and general cohesion seem improved from past seasons. Their two seniors will need to serve as consistent leaders for this group to maximize their overall ceiling. However, this is a clear opportunity for King Gibson to reaffirm his incredibly lofty (yet justified) status as a nationally regarded prospect. In addition to their slew of role players, it should be a breakout season for Drew Johnson. All signs point to this team continuing to be one of the top programs in North Carolina.
Key Returners:
6’5 ’27 King Gibson
Freshman Stats: 9.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Census Top-20 Player in 2027 Class
6’2 ’25 Cam Flippen
Junior Stats: 8.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 SPG
Offers: Greensboro, Bridgewater
6’8 ’25 Kaden Hammond
Junior Stats: 6.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Offers: Bridgewater, Lynchburg, Fisher, Dean
Newcomers:
5’11 ’26 Drew Johnson