PHENOM HOOPS NATIONAL HS SHOWCASE EVENT RECAPS
Player Standouts at Phenom March Madness
6’3 ’24 Jaylon Bumpass (Team Legend) Given how he’s set the tone in each of their games, it would be difficult to ignore everything Jaylon Bumpass has brought to the table. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect with an excellent combination of IQ, athleticism, and overall polish. Bumpass operates as a primary creator for this group, showing an understanding of how to get others involved while...
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Phenom Hoops 150 Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Gerroid Doughty #22: 5’7 ’26 Beckett Coon (Wake Christian) Starting things off, we look at a player who made his presence felt through a steady, reliable two-way identity, Beckett Coon. He’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect with a high motor, sharp passing sense, and excellent perimeter shooting ability. Coon is a quality spot-up threat with an understanding of how to...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Patton
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Lindell
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Pittman
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Bell
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Liles
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
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Hoopstate Championship Previews: Word of God vs. NC GBB
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
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Hoopstate Championship Previews: 1 of 1 Academy vs. Piedmont Classical
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
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Hoopstate Championship Previews: Winston-Salem Christian Regional vs. Combine Academy Regional
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
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Hoopstate Championship Previews: Quality Education vs. New Life Christian
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
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Team Snow Duo Worthy of Attention
This past weekend, our Phenom Opening took place at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center—where many teams came together to kick off their travel ball season. As expected, the field featured a ton of standouts and intriguing squads. Team Snow Elite certainly deserves to be mentioned among that grouping after competing well against quality competition throughout the weekend. They have a roster...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Mikhail Pocknett
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and...
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Young Twins Making Noise Early
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina for our annual Phenom Opening. The event featured a ton of travel ball programs ready to prepare for the upcoming summer season. Although young, the Team Trezz 13U squad is clearly a group worth noting. They showed flashes of pure dominance throughout the weekend, both...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Post Grad Nationals
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina for our Post Grad Nationals. There was a slew of high-level programs in attendance from all over the country (in addition to a squad from Canada) that came to compete and determine whose who within the post-grad ranks. Moreover, tons of college coaches came through...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Opening
6’8 ’26 Will Stevens (Carolina Riptide) There were a ton of promising big men on display, and Stevens was arguably as impressive as any of them—especially being the youngest player on his team. He’s still developing strength, but already displays timing, toughness, and a quality motor on both ends of the floor. Stevens utilizes his length very well to finish, secure rebounds, and alter shots...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Post Grad Nationals
6’5 ’23 Uchenna Kellman (Speights Academy) Although it would be easy to select various different standouts from this contest, Kellman earns recognition due to his smooth, polished identity. He’s smart, skilled, and able to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Kellman is a notable shooter, both from midrange and beyond the arc, who can create for himself or others. He moves well...
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Grassroots Team Preview: CC Elite
Each travel ball season, we watch countless grassroots organizations compete over a six-month span to earn a limited number of scholarships. There have been so many notable programs to emerge over the years with plenty proving that you don’t necessarily need to play with a shoe-circuit team in order to get recruited. Often times, it’s not even a talent disparity, but rather a situation where...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Ryan MacKinnon
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over a hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who...
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Available College-Level Seniors Competing for State Championships (Part Two)
5’11 Amari Baggett (Reidsville) Obviously, the freshmen duo for Reidsville receives a ton of attention, but Amari Baggett is also a major part of the Rams’ success. He’s a tough, athletic, well-rounded guard prospect with feel, playmaking ability, and defensive instincts. Baggett has made a seamless transition after the arrival and emergence of his two notable teammates, and has actually...
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Available College-Level Seniors Competing for State Championships
6’8 Elijah Strong (Myers Park) Following his recent de-commitment, Elijah Strong has continued to play at an extremely high level. At 6-foot-8, he possesses a big, sturdy frame with touch, rebounding instincts, and a useful inside-out offensive arsenal. He’s a great finisher around the basket, reliable scorer from the block, and a capable shooting threat from midrange or beyond the arc. In just...
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Five Available Offer-Worthy Seniors
6’3 Derin Saran (Asheville School) In all honesty, Derin Saran already has a pretty healthy collection of offers and could commit at any point in time. However, that shouldn’t deter more programs from getting involved with the extremely heady, playmaking point guard. Saran is easily one of the best passers to come through North Carolina in recent memory. His blend of IQ, craftiness, and overall...
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Queens Secures Major Commitment
It’s always interesting to see how college coaches approach recruiting. Each coach, program, and system has its own variety of nuances regarding how they chose to pursue prospects. However, it appears that Coach Grant Leonard and Queens University of Charlotte will continue to lock down notable commitments from within North Carolina—and Bryce Cash is their most recent gem. For anyone who has...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Julius Harrison
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over a hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who...
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Six Freshmen Named to All-District Teams
On Monday, the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association announced their annual all-district teams. Across the twelve districts (and 180 total players), only six freshmen were chosen. It’s a tremendous honor for these young men to be appropriately recognized as some of the top players throughout the state—despite their age. Among the selections, you’ll notice that the three freshmen who...
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NCHSAA 4A Final Four Previews
(1) Myers Park vs. (3) North Mecklenburg Although each of these games should be packed with spectators, the crowd and atmosphere for this contest should be in its own category. Myers Park was the preseason title favorite while North Meck is seemingly always relevant and in the mix for a championship. The Mustangs reached impressive levels of success this season, only suffering four losses (with...
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NCHSAA 3A Final Four Previews
(1) Northwood vs. (2) EE Smith There is an obvious amount of anticipation surrounding this contest, as many people predicted Northwood as title favorites prior to the season while EE Smith has emerged as a nightmarish matchup for the opposition. Looking at Golden Bulls, they have a bevy of useful pieces with Malik Brunson, Travis Stroud, Joshua Smith, Jonathan Williams, and Decarlo Brunson....
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NCHSAA 2A Final Four Previews
(1) Farmville Central vs. (2) Goldsboro It’s easy to get excited about this matchup, as these are two of the most popular squads throughout North Carolina. On one side, Farmville Central has been nothing short of dominant as a program over the last decade. Coach Larry Williford is sporting a record of 257-37 with four state championships over the last ten seasons, which is absolutely ridiculous....
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NCHSAA 1A Final Four Previews
(1) Bertie vs. (2) Wilson Prep This battle is easily one of the more intriguing final-four matchups across all classifications, as Bertie is enjoying their best season in nearly a decade while Wilson Prep has consistently been among the better teams in the eastern part of North Carolina since forming. Bertie has been led by senior Zy’Lee Bazemore along with a balanced grouping of Jah’Kelvin...
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2023 VISAA Championships (Semifinals)
Phenom Hoops was on deck throughout the day for the VISAA, checking in on the talent, finding new names, and looking to watch some incredible games as teams were looking to advance to the championship games and be crowned a champion. Here are the final scores and standouts from each game, as we continue to update throughout the day. Final: Banner Christian 53 – New Covenant 52 Standouts:2023...
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