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Storylines We Have Walking Away from #PhenomIshSmith
Central Cabarrus puts on a show and showcases their power in front of their home crowd The Phenom Ish Smith Showcase was tremendous, and the crowd at Central Cabarrus certainly showed up and showed out for this event at their home gym. Central Cabarrus came out strong in both games, taking care of business in convincing fashion against The Burlington School and Hickory Ridge. They continue...
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North Carolina Top 80 Evaluations: Team 5
Team 5 Coach: Travis Holcomb-Faye #5: 5’11 ’24 Makel Smith (Morehead) Starting things off, we look at a player who simply knows how to provide a steady, adaptable presence to a team, Makel Smith. He’s a smart, skilled floor general with nice balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Smith plays with pace and understands how to control the tempo with the ball in his hands. He creates...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from NC Top 80: Guards/Wings (Class of 2024)
2024 Carson Daniel/ 2024 Chase Daniel (Central Cabarrus): The Daniel twins continue to flourish and showcase how big of a difference-maker they can be. They are proven winners, both understand how to run a team, they were incredible in creating and setting up teammates, and just understand how to be effective playmakers with the ball in their hands. 2024 John Campbell (Bishop McGuinness):...
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Player Standouts at Hoopstate Fall League Championship
6’5 ’26 Markus Kerr (Cougars) Although the Cougars were missing one of their key pieces, it simply gave Kerr an opportunity to shine as a focal point. He’s a skilled, athletic guard with an all-around skillset and the ability to dominate opponents on both ends of the floor. Kerr is a reliable creator, both for himself and others, and mixes it up from all three levels offensively. He’s a quality...
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POB’s Thoughts: Best of the Best from Phenom Hoop State League (PG)
The Phenom Hoop State Fall League has been tremendous and we are heading into championship weekend. But there have been plenty of storylines and players that have grabbed my attention. Even though this list could go on a lot longer, here are the top players who have left their mark on me so far at the Fall League at the point guard position. 2026 Cameron Newman (Gaston Christian): Newman is one...
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POB’s Thoughts: Top Guards at Hoop State League (Through 2 Weeks)
The Hoop State League has been tremendous so far… a lot of talent, a great chance to watch these teams in action early on, and players are competing. Trust me, there are a lot of names that have been catching my eye so far, which is why I wanted to share JUST A FEW NAMES that have really stood out to me through two weeks at the Hoop State League. Check out the guards that have impressed me...
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Central Cabarrus “Poised for a Repeat”
Phenom Hoops traveled to Concord, North Carolina to cover the defending NCHSAA 3A state champion, Central Cabarrus. Charlotte, Elon, and UNCG were in attendance for open gym. Last season, Central Cabarrus ran the table and finished 32-0 to cap off the perfect season. The year before, Central Cabarrus lost in the NCHSAA Western Regional to the eventual NCHSAA 3A state champion, West Charlotte....
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The Summer of Perfection: BSA Supreme
The idea of being “perfect” in athletics is far from common. Outside of the NCAA, there has only been one truly undefeated season (1972 Miami Dolphins) in the history of sports. College dynasties don’t really fall under the same umbrella, as their ability to stockpile talent and thwart opponents with a revolving door of more-talented players makes the competitive superiority less impressive....
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Defending The Title: Central Cabarrus Looking to Repeat
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise in Advance, North Carolina for our annual Team Camp. This event always serves as a kickstart to June, as players go back to their respective high schools and prepare for the upcoming Live periods. There’s usually a fair number of takeaways but it’s also easy to get carried away or overexcited by the sheer change of pace from travel ball....
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BSA Supreme proving itself as a top dog nationally; talent to be found for college programs
You know the team, you know the program, and you know the logo… BSA Supreme has been taking on all challenges so far this season and they have proven to be one of the top dogs, not only regionally but you could also mention nationally. This is a program that is built a certain way, plays a certain way, and simply has a different mindset compared to others. That is why they sit 12-0 on the...
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Will BSA Supreme Remain Undefeated'
Through the first month, the travel ball season has been full of exciting matchups, subplots, and individual performances. It’s always fun to see who emerges as the biggest threat within the state and, while it’s usually considered a shoe-circuit squad, it seems as though BSA Supreme has clearly asserted itself as the team to beat. Why' Well, they have yet to lose a single game. They’ve beaten...
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Cooper’s Developments: Phenom HS Jamboree Session 1
By: Cooper Hart Seth Cullen (Flight 22 Prep) Seth is a 6’6” Wing/Forward that has a strong frame and quick feet. He was impressive today on the defensive side of the ball where he was constantly switching onto bigger and smaller players, allowing him to eliminate advantages all over the court. I like that he plays containment defense as he rarely gambles for steals and is good at keeping his man...
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Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus
Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus Last season, Central Cabarrus finished with a 30-1 overall record losing to eventual NCHSAA 3A State Champion, West Charlotte, in the Western Regional Finals. With 93% of the scoring returning, Coach Jim Baker has plenty to be excited about and should be the pre-season favorite in the NCHSAA 3A West. Central Cabarrus plays an unorthodox style of basketball and...
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Prospects in the Class of 2024 to Watch at Phenom Team Camp
This upcoming weekend, Phenom Hoops will host our annual June Team Camp at the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. The event is slated to feature a talented mix of players and teams preparing for the month of July (in addition to the somewhat distant high school season), and this article will take a brief look at some of the prospects on display. Let’s take a look at the Class...
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Central Cabarrus Emerging as Title-Favorites
While it probably goes without saying, the high school landscape is drastically different from that of five or ten years ago. Most kids still attended their local public school while private or prep options were still considered more of an uncommon opportunity. However, things have obviously shifted in that span of time. Competitive balance has largely disappeared. Kids no longer feel compelled...
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HIGHLIGHTS: 2024 DUO Chase + Carson Daniels RUNS the SHOW for BSA Supreme!
2024 Carson and Chase Daniel are absolutely electric on the court, as they fill up the stat sheet, make winning plays, and can be effective on both ends of the floor. Check out their highlights so far from this summer.
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2025 Bryce Baker (Team Bond): If you don’t know the name Bryce Baker, you may want to start learning. The dual-sport athlete could be a player on the rise, whether it is in basketball or football. On the court though, this is a young man that plays with a ton of confidence. He doesn’t let the bright lights get to him, as Baker plays within himself and with what his team needs him to...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’1 ’25 Hayes Oxendine (East Carolina Elite) Though we’ve consistently seen his foundation as a lethal shooter, Oxendine showcased a lot of ability as the primary creator and overall leader for this group. He’s a smart decision-maker and understands how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Oxendine is comfortable at setting up others while finding scoring opportunities from all three...
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Phenom Grassroots TOC Team Preview: BSA Supreme
The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach. BSA Supreme Carson Daniel2024PgCarson is a floor general that...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom March Madness
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina for our March Madness event. There were a slew of notable teams and prospects on display throughout the two-day stretch, making for great competition and overall entertainment. While plenty of the attention was centered around the showcase games and various notable programs, takeaways were evident...
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Player Standouts at Phenom March Madness
6’2 ’24 CJ Vaughn (NC Rise) The emergence of this NC Rise program has already benefitted various players, and Vaughn is certainly included in that group. Between their structure and ability to get up and down, the athletic combo-guard has no issue asserting himself within the action. Vaughn scores the ball from all levels, attacks the basket at a nice rate, and contains his assignment well...
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BSA Supreme: Even Better Than Before'
The grassroots landscape has gradually (not entirely) drifted away from the competitive balance between independent programs and the primary circuit teams. While it’s still evident, we would be naïve to think that the current scene is comparable to that of three or five years ago. Regardless, BSA Supreme (formerly CC Elite) has maintained their status as a premier independent program and a squad...
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Game Report: Central Cabarrus vs. Concord
On Tuesday night, Phenom Hoops traveled to Central Cabarrus as they hosted cross-town rival Concord. Central Cabarrus entered the game with a record of 16-0 on the season. Although they may lack size, they make up with it with their uptempo style and aggressive on-ball defense. Concord entered the game with a 13-2 record, with their only losses coming the first game of the season to Robinson and...
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The Daniel Twins, Becoming Everyone’s Favorites
The Daniel Twins, Becoming everyone’s favorite No matter the venue or the event, time and time again, we constantly hear coaches at all levels say the same thing. “We love watching the Daniel twins play!” While Chase and Carson both stand a modest 6’0, they are what’s good about basketball. We have watched them countless times in club travel ball as well as high school along with camps,...
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Chasing a Championship: Central Cabarrus’ Best Team of the Millennium'
More often than not, teams with title aspirations usually have previous bouts of success to serve as a reminder of what to do in order to become victorious. Not Central Cabarrus. Although the Vikings have been absolutely dominant to start off the season, it’s worth noting that majority of the roster wasn’t even born during their last time as a top-ten team in the state (2005-06 per MaxPreps)....
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Holiday Classic (Day 2, Part 1)
2022 Takai Simpkins (Liberty Heights): Takai came out strong and never let up with his attack and he continues to show he can score in a variety of ways. He uses his body very well and has the ability to create for himself while getting to the rim but also showcased his perimeter game, knocking down multiple threes for his team. 2022 Tajuan Simpkins (Liberty Heights): The duo of the...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 5
Team 5 Coach: Erik Whaley #5: 6’0 ’24 Carson Daniel (Central Cabarrus) Starting things off, we look at a player who already stands out as one of the more reliable, productive floor generals in the state, Carson Daniel. He’s a smart, skilled, unselfish point guard prospect with an excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Daniel typically looks to set up the offense and...
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Central Cabarrus Open Gym Report
On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops had the pleasure of watching Central Cabarrus workout. Former Catawba College Head Coach, Jim Baker, has a talented group of young guards leading the way for his team this season. Although they may not be the biggest team, they are one of the toughest and scrappiest teams you’ll watch. Let’s take a look at some of their key players. 6’0 2023 Jaiden Thompson is coming...
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Building their resume: 2024 Chase and Carson Daniel (CC Elite/ Central Cabarrus)
Player: Carson DanielPlayer Chase DanielClass: 2024Height: 6’0AAU: CC Elite 2024School: Central Cabarrus We can feel confident about saying this… the class of 2024 in North Carolina is absolutely LOADED and deep; it may be one of the deepest classes we have had in quite some time. Everywhere you look in the class, you can find talent that should be targets for an array of programs....
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Player Standouts from Phenom Summer Havoc (Sunday)
by: Ethan Reece 2024 Jacob Hand (Louisville Prospects)Jacob was a strong and steady presence down low for a Prospects team that needed him down the stretch as they held off a rallying comeback. He protected the paint and ran the court off his boards, showing off his versatility. He made moves down low to finish but also was able to get downhill as was the case in his game-winning floater as time...
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