Final Thoughts, Takeaways and Stock Boosters
It was another outstanding event as USA Today deemed it one of the top 16 “must-see” events in the country. There was plenty of exciting action, national-level play, and storylines along the way. Now, let’s take a look at our final thoughts, takeaways and stock boosters from the event.
Everyone’s Super Bowl Game
It’s no secret Oak Hill Academy has the biggest name in high school basketball and many teams cherish the opportunity to play them in order to enhance their season resume and maybe just have a close game or even the unthinkable and pull off a win. No matter the opponent, Oak Hill has a big target on their back and will get everyone’s best shot. Fans get pumped up and excited all for the sake of proving they too also beyond in the national conversation. At the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic and once again at the Phenom National High School Showcase, Oak Hill is the marque team that draws a crowd and that was once again the case.
Showdown for Supremacy
Last year, Moravian Prep took advantage of the Phenom platform. Putting them on the big stage and yes, they had to go out and perform and perform they did. Coach Antonio Lowe has accumulated a tremendous array of talent. On the flip side, Matt Williamson had the foresight to hire Jeff McInnis, who has elevated Combine Academy into the national conversation in a remarkable fashion. Combine Academy has beaten nationally ranked Oak Hill, NCISAA 1A favorite The Burlington School, Quality Education on the road, and ISA Academy at the National High School Showcase. This coming Friday at the Gate City Showcase, Moravian Prep will battle Combine Academy for bragging rights for the early season rankings. On paper, Moravian Prep has more depth and veterans like 5-star Josh Hall and 4-star Shakeel Moore (NC State). Combine Academy features 6’5 sophomore point guard Jalen Hood Schifino, 6’8 junior Jacari Owens, 6’2 junior Kris Robinson and 6’0 freshman sensation Robert Dillingham. This game will be intense and expect nothing short of a high-level game.
Bounce Back Just in the Nick of Time
If you ask Jalen Hood-Schifino about his first few games for Combine Academy, he would be the first to tell you he was pressing just a tad and not happy about his performance. That’s a quality very few young players acknowledge. Instead of making excuses, Hood-Schifino knew more was expected and his play against a super talented ISA Academy team came at the right time. Playing against Alabama commit Keon Ambrose and 6’11 junior Charles Bediako (Duke was three deep in attendance), Hood Schifino played in perhaps one of his most complete games as a high school player. As a matter of fact, McDonald All American voting member and Hoop Scoop Editor Clark Francis, stated the following. “Jalen Hood-Schifino was amazing. He was one of the top prospects in the entire event.” For the game, simply put the team on his broad shoulders and carry them to an impressive 78-65 win. Hood-Schifino finished with 29 points going 10-17 from the floor, 2-3 from the 3-point line, and 7-9 from the free-throw line. In addition, he collected five rebounds, dished out five assists, had one steal and only had one turnover.
The Most Effortless Scorer
6’3 senior guard Cam Thomas simply makes the game look easy. He is wired to score and there may not be a more effortless and prolific scorer in the country. As a matter of fact, he may just be one of the smoothest, most fluid and best scorers I’ve seen in the past ten years of watching high school basketball. Thomas has superb body control and just continues to impress the crowds and scouts with his ability to score. Whether it is shooting long-range 3-pointers, hitting the teardrop floater off either foot or hand, making the nifty euro step in transition and now showcasing the “one leg step back” fade away 3-pointer, Thomas makes the difficult look too easy. In the game against hometown GRACE Christian, Thomas went for a “quiet” 30 points going 11-17 from the floor, 2-5 from the 3-point line and 6-8 from the free-throw line.
Jaden Bradley leading the way
Cannon’s head coach Che Roth has nicknamed Jaden Bradley “smooth” and he should be rewarded with trademark rights as he continues his high school career and beyond. First of all, it’s hard to fathom he too is just a sophomore and the sky’s the limit for this uber-talented point guard. Standing a sturdy 6’3, Bradley simply makes his teammates better and has gained high praise from his teammates that he is the most unselfish point guard they have ever played with. In the two games at the Phenom National High School Showcase, Bradley went for 27 and 12 points in the two wins, but more importantly, he also had eight and four assists in the two games against only one turnover. That’s a 12:1 assist to turnover ratio which is absolutely insane. In addition, against a very tough and talented Carmel Christian team, he dished out five assists to only two turnovers. In three games, Bradley has 17 assists to only three turnovers.
Josh Hall ready for another national bump
6’9 wing Josh Hall is a consensus Five-Star prospect and has seen his recruitment and stock explode over the past year. Every outing, Hall continues to get better, refine his guard and perimeter skills and has one of the softest shooting touches for a player his size. For some players, they reach a plateau and rarely make as many strides and improvements going into their senior season. That is not the case for Hall. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor with confidence, has excellent court vision and can initiate the offense from the “point forward” position. The multi-talented wing has a complete offensive skill set, whether it is shooting 3-pointers with efficiency, scoring off the dribble/bounce of simply making plays and setting up teammates. That being said, the best character trait is he has continued to stay focused, worked hard to enhance his game, but has also stayed humble throughout the process.
Don’t sleep on Greenfield
Greenfield School is the defending NCISAA 1A champion. They did lose Jacari Outlaw who transferred to Wayne Country Day but has quietly gone under the buzz and hype for the 2019-20 season, which is perfectly fine with coach Rob Salter. In the opening game of the Phenom National High School Showcase, they lost a tough game to NCISAA 4A power Cannon School by the score 79-75, which is something not to be ashamed of. This year’s Greenfield team is scrappy, unselfish, and has a nice blend of talent that simply compliments each other. That being said, the greatest compliment is this team plays together and has bought into the “team first” approach. All five starters can lead the team in scoring whether it is the guard play of Collin Guilford, Jordan Lynch, or Creighton Lebo. Then throw in the likes of Wake Forest signee Dji Bailey who just does about everything extremely well. What’s more important is the fact he is comfortable playing in a team structure and system, which speaks quality about him as a player and person. Last but not least is Trey Pittman who will probably average a “double-double” this season.
