EVENT NEWS
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Sad Sam’s Yearly QCAC 4A/3A Superlatives for 2024-25
Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the sunny and warm Piedmont! The Great One is here to release his yearly superlatives including his All-QCAC teams, Coach of the Year and the coveted Hot Dog of the Year award. The QCAC season contained surprises as a couple of teams disappointed and another rose to unexpected heights. In order to make things happen, superior individual...
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Sad Sam’s State Finals Recap
Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the bracket-filling-out Piedmont! The Great One is here to recap the state finals and bid farewell for the season. The Sadster posted a dismal 1-3 record in the Ring Round bringing his final playoff record to 205-46, or right at 83%, losing 2 OT games and one on a buzzer beater. His high point was the 2A bracket where he posted a 55-8 mark. His lowest...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Tysere Payne
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Expression Prep Academy PG captured eyes in Rock Hill at Nationals
Expression Prep Academy PG was one that we were eager to see come to South Carolina and learn more about the talent. And having an opportunity to check out this roster on several occasions, there were a few players that really stood out to me. We dive into three seniors who could be late targets for college programs. See what we had to say. 2025 6’3 Evin Thompson Thompson was probably the most...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Malachi McCutcheon
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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2025 Julian Rivera proved himself at #PhenomPGNationals
The Phenom PG Nationals brought a lot of talent of all levels to the court over the weekend, and there are college programs that should be taking notice even with the transfer portal heating up. One player that we were interested in watching was 2025 guard Julian Rivera and watching him, he proved that he could help a D1 program and have the attention of several other schools. It can be...
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Flight 22 continuing to bring next-level talent to the court
The Phenom PG Nationals brought teams from all over the country to Rock Hill, as they looked to compete for a championship but it was also a great opportunity to check out talent that college coaches should recognize. Flight 22 continues to bring talent to the court under Coach Faulk, as we look to highlight a few players that have really played well in the last month or so. 2025 Caden Giles...
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Virginia Havoc Duo Turning Heads
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Henrico Sports and Events Center for our annual Virginia Tip-Off. Between new faces and blossoming young prospects, the event featured a variety of intriguing storylines. Despite narrowly falling short during their title run, the 2029 Virginia Havoc group consistently turned heads behind their complementary duo of Miles Hudson and Alex Worsham....
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Bryson Mickey
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Prospects Due for a Big Summer Season (Part Two)
Each spring, we see a slew of prospects who enter the travel ball season with a disconnect between their ability and offer sheet. Some cases are purely due to a player not being seen by the appropriate level of coaches while others are sheer oversights. Regardless, this exercise allows us to see where we identify deserving players prior to the summer and how things unfold for each individual...
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What You Need to Know Before Attending a Phenom Hoops Event
Now that all the state champions have been crowned, we’ve officially reached the travel ball season. While each entity is different, Phenom Hoops is slated to have events nearly every weekend over the next six months. Due to the excitement spring/summer ball seems to elicit in individuals, this article will aim to help players, coaches, and spectators. In addition to highlighting our rules, we...
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Impressive showings from DME Academy PG at Phenom PG Nationals
DME Academy PG came back to Phenom PG Nationals, and they always bring talent to check out. We were eager to see this year’s team and we weren’t disappointed. This is a very interesting roster but the play of 2025 Jemeh Jones, 2025 Uchenna Amene, and 2025 Vincent Stewart Jr. really stood out consistently throughout as we dive into more of their games. 2025 6’7 Jemeh Jones We recently wrote about...
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College-Worthy Prospects: Phenom PG Nationals (Part 2)
2025 6’10 Nate Malosa – Konnect Prep Malosa is one that we have highlighted on several occasions, and we continue to believe that he is a player who can play at the next level. There is a lot to like about what he brings to the table with his blend of size, activity in the paint, and his comfort level in stretching the floor. Malosa continues to get bigger and stronger, showcasing the ability to...
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Players to check out more from Andrews Osborne Academy
Andrews Osborne Academy has been a staple on the Phenom Hoops platform over the years as they continue to bring talent to the court. This year was no different, as we had a great chance to learn a few new names that we will be watching more down the road. Overall though, this is a team that provides unsigned seniors still available along with younger talent that college coaches need to monitor....
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2026 Heimir Helgason heading to DME Academy
The high school season is over and that just means changes are about to occur. A player that came to North Carolina from Iceland has now announced that he will be on the move once again, heading to the national program of DME. 2026 6’9 Heimir Helgason, who played at The Asheville School this past season, will be suiting up for DME Academy next year, giving this team one of the premier...
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2025 6’10 Nate Ament continuing to prove to have the pedigree of a future pro
The Phenom PG Nationals has come and gone, but we are just starting our coverage of the event and the talent we saw on display throughout. Though there were plenty of players of interest that you will be seeing at the next level, 2025 6’10 Nate Ament came in on top of the list of must-see prospects. Regarded by nearly everyone as a Top-5 prospect in the country, and a highly sought-after...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Joel Deigna
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Prospects Due for a Big Summer Season
Each spring, we see a slew of prospects who enter the travel ball season with a disconnect between their ability and offer sheet. Some cases are purely due to a player not being seen by the appropriate level of coaches while others are sheer oversights. Regardless, this exercise allows us to see where we identify deserving players prior to the summer and how things unfold for each individual...
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College-Worthy Prospects: Phenom PG Nationals (Part 1)
2025 6’7 Jemeh Jones (DME Academy) This was the first time I watched Jones in action and though schools are showing interest, I do believe that he proved he is a for-sure next-level type prospect. D1/D2 schools should be taking a look his way, as he is one that brings intrigue with his 6’7 frame, his overall feel and vision, his ability to score in many ways, and his overall presence on the...
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Instant Offense: Players that put on an offensive show at #PhenomPGNationals
2025 Brycen Redmon – Moravian Prep Regional We knew about Redmon coming into the event and what he could provide; we watched him go for 37 points earlier in the season on the Phenom Hoops platform. So, we were interested in seeing what he could show on the big stage again, and we weren’t disappointed. Redmon ended the event averaging 37.3 points per game and showing that he is a college-worthy...
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Is Dionte Neal the Most Accomplished Player in North Carolina?
The term “loss aversion” defines the infamous quote “losing feels worse than winning feels good.” We have become so accustomed to the lengthy, seemingly never-ending basketball season and can forget to properly bask in the moments of greatness. The current times have created shorter memories because there is always another “meaningful” game on the horizon. While it would be unfair to say Dionte...
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Lab U Regional makes a statement on its way to a title in Varsity Prep Division at Phenom PG Nationals
The Phenom PG Nationals brought some of the best teams from around the region to come compete for a championship, as the Varsity Prep Division had elite talent all over the place. Lab U Regional came in ready to rock and roll, and they did as they put on an offensive show in each game and really made a statement, cruising their way to a championship weekend. vs. Combine Varsity: won 78-48vs....
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Calusa Basketball secures another title in Bronze Division at Phenom PG Nationals
The Phenom PG Nationals brought some of the best teams from around the region to come compete for a championship, as the Bronze Division had elite talent all over the place. Calusa Basketball Academy though clearly made it a mission to walk away with another title and they did just that at the Phenom PG Nationals. vs. Combine Regional: won 93-80vs. New Rock Prep: won 76-64vs. Thomas Ridge...
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The Academy Prep battles through and comes away with a title in Silver Division at Phenom PG Nationals
The Phenom PG Nationals brought some of the best teams from around the region to compete for a championship, as the Silver Division had elite talent all over the place. In the end, we had a tremendous battle between two teams that left it all out there, with The Academy Prep coming away with a 69-68 victory against Moc Valley. Let’s dive into their run. vs. Moravian Prep Regional: Won 84-74vs....
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Combine Academy finishes the season with a Phenom PG Nationals Gold Championship
The Phenom PG Nationals brought some of the best teams from around the region to come compete for a championship, as the Gold Division had elite talent all over the place. But in the end, fans got a great championship game between Highland School and Combine Academy, with the Goats taking home the championship. vs. Huntington Expression Prep: Won 107-91vs. Our Saviour Lutheran: Won 83-69vs....
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Player Standouts at Phenom Virginia Tip Off (Part Three)
5’5 ’29 Alex Worsham (Virginia Havoc) Some young players simply see the game ahead of their peers, and Worsham certainly fits the bill. He’s still just scratching the surface of his physical development, but already sports a very high IQ with an advanced blend of pace, poise, and instincts on both ends of the floor. Worsham is a crafty ball-handler and sharp passer who can apply scoring pressure...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Virginia Tip-Off (Part Two)
6’6 ’28 Baganley Donzo (Carolina Culture) There are a lot of quality athletes in the building, and Donzo is arguably the most physically imposing player on display. He’s an incredibly strong, explosive big man with the ability to reliably anchor the paint on both ends of the floor. Donzo is a tremendous rebounder who clears out space extremely well and secures seemingly every available loose...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Virginia Tip-Off
6’0 ’30 Zyire Howard (Juice Crew) Although several guys were difference-makers in this contest, Howard was undoubtedly the focal point and two-way leader of this group. He did legitimately everything. Howard controlled the glass, defended multiple positions, and operated as the primary hub offensively. In addition to being physically overwhelming, he understands how to consistently outwork...
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Sad Sam’s Regional Recap and State Title Picks
Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the spring-is-springing Piedmont! The Fabulous One is here to recap his Regional Finals picks and give you who will be getting sized for rings and who will dream of what could’ve been. The Great One posted a 7-1 mark in the Regional Finals, or 87.5% bringing his overall states record to 204-43, or right at 83%. His only loss was...
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NCHSAA 2A Girls Championship Preview
Southeast Alamance vs. North Wilkes SE Alamance continues its run, taking down Seaforth 48-45 while North Wilkes took down East Burke 60-36 North Wilkes continues its run this season, as they had a strong battle early on against East Burke but they were able to lock in defensively in the second quarter to ultimately help put that game away. Sitting at 30-1 on the season and winning 23 games...
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