Team 5
Coach: Dwayne Cherry
#16:'5'1 '22 Elijah Johnson of Calvary Day (Winston-Salem)
Starting things off, we look at a player that ran the team fairly well and has a skillset that is destined to grow, Elijah Johnson. He's a lead guard that plays with a high IQ, motor and looks to make winning plays on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Johnson is able to handle and distribute the ball at a quality rate and got his teammates involved whenever possible. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his ability to finish around the basket, as it would make him a more complete offensive player. Coach Cherry on Johnson: 'Elijah played very hard at camp; he has a good understanding of the game! Elijah has a solid skill set, which can continue to grow. Once he gets stronger and quicker he will be even more effective on the floor. Elijah displayed a positive attitude and was easy to coach; he was able to bring the ball up the floor, which is a skill any team can use. Coaches will enjoy him in the future.' Johnson has nice all-around potential and will be one to watch going forward, especially when you remember that he still has another year of middle school ball.
#27:'5'3 '22 Kyle Morin of Ravenscroft (Raleigh)
Next, we look at a player that showed his ability to constantly contribute to the team, with or without the ball, Kyle Morin. He's a guard that understands the game and knows how to get to his spots on the floor. Offensively, Morin operates well around the elbows, knocking down jumpers or creating for teammates. On the other end, he takes no plays off and proved to be a vocal leader. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his ability to penetrate off the bounce and finish at the rim, as it would allow him to control the game on the offensive end. Coach Cherry on Morin: 'Kyle is a great team player; he passes the ball to open teammates willingly. He's a crafty player that shoots the ball well; his midrange jump shot is very effective. As Kyle continues to grow and get stronger, his game will be even better. Kyle hustles on defense and communicates well; he runs the floor well in transition and can knock down the open shot. He will be an asset to any team.' Morin has the intangibles and ability to help a team on both ends of the floor.
#29:'5'3 '23 Devin Oliver of Crossroads (Irmo)
Moving onto a player that constantly created quality looks for the team with his vision and distribution, Devin Oliver. He's a guard that has the ability to operate with or without the ball and is effective at both. Offensively, Oliver is able to score extremely well around the elbows and displays a quality understanding for the game, creating shots for others frequently. On the other end, Oliver proved the 'heart over height' notion, as he consistently checked bigger and stronger guys on defense. Next in his development process is continuing to work on the range and consistency of his three-point shot, as it would open up his offensive game tremendously. Coach Cherry on Oliver: 'Devin had an outstanding camp; despite being the shortest kid on the floor he did not back down. He was very effective against taller, bigger opponents. Devin sees the floor well and distributes the ball very well; he is able to make pocket passes and set up teammates for open shots. He is an outstanding on-ball defender. Devin was the youngest kid on the team but showed tremendous maturity and potential.' Oliver showed his ability to make a difference without being physically dominant, as he consistently used his IQ and positioning to make the right play.
#31:'5'4 '21 Eli Hill of Riverwood MS (Clayton)
Continuing onto a player that displays a viciously high motor and took pride in his play on the defensive end, Eli Hill. He's a guard that stays within the teams' game plan on both sides of the ball and does whatever is necessary to put his team in a winning position. Offensively, Hill likes to take opponents off the dribble and finish with either a pull-up jumper around the elbows or with a layup at the rim. On the other end, Hill showed his ability to defend either guard spot effectively with his sharp wits and ability to keep his head on a swivel. Next in his development process is continuing to improve his ability to shoot from three-point territory, as it would make him a two-way monster. Coach Cherry on Hill: 'Eli was an extremely hard worker throughout camp; whenever there was a loose ball, count on him to be in the area. Often times, he was the one causing the loose ball. He provided the team with extra possessions by his hustle and was able to get to the basket and distribute to teammates frequently. Eli is a pesky on-ball defender and played the passing lanes very well; he displayed a great attitude all day.' Hill certainly understands the traits that will warrant him playing time; it'll be interesting to see how he grows going forward.
#49:'5'7 '21 Aidan Cumming of Riverwood MS (Clayton)
Next, we look at a player that has the all-around potential to be a dangerous player sooner than later, Aidan Cumming. He's a lead guard that does everything at a solid rate, leaving nearly no holes within his game. Offensively, Cumming handles, shoots, and distributes the ball all at quality rates; he plays within the teams' offense and hits open shots when they are available. On the other end, Cumming is a nice defender, both on and off-ball, and looks to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is just continuing to polish all facets of his game, as he will only continue to get better with time. Coach Cherry on Cumming: 'Aidan is a deceptive player; he carries himself in a shy, quiet manner on the court but he is a playmaker. Although he started slowly, he picked it up and displayed excellent playmaking ability. Aidan was able to get by defenders off the dribble and either score or assist teammates. He can defend the ball and displayed toughness; Aidan can develop into a solid point guard.' Cumming affects so many parts of the game and knows how to stay focused throughout.
#59:'5'7 '21 Matthew White of Rawlinson Road (Rock Hill)
Moving onto a player that was among the best athletes at camp due to his major explosiveness off the dribble and around the rim, Matthew White. He's a guard that has supreme athleticism on both ends of the floor and the IQ available to properly utilize his athletic gifts. Offensively, White is able to simply blow by opponents with no issue, getting into the lane and can either rise up for a strong finish or dish an assist to the open teammate. On the other end, White is a solid defender with great quickness and the ability to stay in front of his assignment. Next in his development process is continuing to polish the skills within his game, as it would make him a more complete offensive player. Coach Cherry on White: 'Matthew is an extremely athletic player; he can run, jump, and has great explosiveness. He shot the ball well from the outside and showed excellent ability at getting to the basket and finishing. Matthew defends well using his athleticism and length; he displayed solid ball handling skills on several possessions. He has a lot of upside and as he keeps growing with his athleticism he can be a real player.' White turned heads with his athleticism level and also possesses the well-rounded game that coaches look for.
#78:'5'10 '21 Ben Capel of Robinson (Kingsport)
Continuing onto a player that has excellent size and skill for the guard position at the high school level, Ben Capel. He can play either guard spot comfortably; with the ball, he is able to create for others quite well and makes good decisions on passes. Offensively, Capel spaces the floor well and displays a quality understanding for the game at all times, knowing when and how to move without the ball. On the other end, Capel proved to be a solid on-ball defender and has the potential to be even better, especially once he gets his head on a swivel. Next in his development process is working on the consistency of his three-point shot, as it would open his offensive game to new heights. Coach Cherry on Capel: 'Ben is a big guard that can handle the ball and see over smaller defenders; he also provides length on defense. He's a lefty that does well against pressure and stays composed, passing the ball well when things get hectic. Once Ben gets stronger, his skill set will be even more effective; he spaces the floor well and moves without the ball. Ben will make a high school coach happy with his size and skill; he continued to get in the paint with his left-handed floater.' Capel has the potential to be a dangerous player at the next level, especially if he continues to put in the necessary work.
#91:'6'0 '21 Malachi Gordon of Riverwood MS (Clayton)
Next, we look at a player that has the potential to be a really intriguing two-way player sooner than later, Malachi Gordon. He's a wing that gets after it on both ends relentlessly, playing with a high motor and looking to do anything to put the team in a winning position. Offensively, Gordon is always moving, searching for open space to pull a clean midrange shot or finish strong at the basket. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his ball handling and three-point shooting, as they would both help his offensive game tremendously. Coach Cherry on Gordon: 'Malachi is a hard worker; his skill set isn't fully developed yet but he remains effective due to his tremendous effort and energy. He attacks rebounds and defends with a lot of energy; he limits the opponents' inside scoring and provides his team with hustle plays. Malachi is a strong, tough kid who displayed a positive attitude. With continued work he can become a solid player that coaches will always appreciate.' Gordon is willing to do the little things in order to elevate his team; he has the potential to become a very nice two-way player.
#108:'6'4 '22 Jake McTaggert of Hayesville MS (Hayesville)
Finishing up with a player that caused constant problems for opponents with his domination down low, Jake McTaggert. He's a big man that consistently controlled the paint on both sides of the floor, protecting the rim on one end and finishing nearly everything in sight on the other. Offensively, McTaggert can post-up anyone and has a wide variety of quality moves in his arsenal; he also was excellent at diving to the rim off pick and rolls. On the other end, McTaggert proved to be a strong defender, swatting shot after shot and essentially shut down every big man that he was assigned to guard. Next in his development process is working on his shot around the elbows, as it would allow him to be a supreme force anywhere inside the arc. Coach Cherry on McTaggert: 'Jake has tremendous upside. He's a big man with excellent footwork and nice touch around the basket. Jake has good hands and solid post moves; he runs the floor well and even brought the ball up the floor several times. He stepped out and looked good taking outside shots. Jake blocked countless shots and rebounded the ball well; he has a bright future and we should be hearing more from him sooner than later. Jake is a big, strong kid with a lot of talent.' McTaggert was the only player taller than 6'0 from the 2022 class at camp and he showed how truly talented he could be.