PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Team Elite claims first Overtime Elite Championship
It was the OTE Finals, an event that certainly had the attention of basketball fans around the country. In the best of three series, it all came down to one last game. Team OTE had won Game 1 72-51 vs. Team Elite but Team Elite came right back with a strong 74-69 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 3. It was an incredible game for both teams, as it was a close affair...
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Phenom Hoop State Championship: Liberty Heights National vs. Combine Academy
The clash of the titans looked to end the night here on Championship Sunday, as Liberty Heights and Combine Academy squared off. Combine came out early, making some early plays and knocking down shots but Liberty Heights started to get going and eventually took the lead at the end of the first quarter, leading 16-15. Ezra Ausar got it going early with an early seven points in the first quarter...
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Hoop State Championship (Round 2): Combine Academy vs. Moravian Prep
In our second matchup of the night in the Hoop State Championship, we brought two teams that are quite familiar with each other over the years and it was certainly going to be a heated showdown. Moravian Prep and Combine Academy went at it instantly, as both teams were trading baskets early before Combine started to make their mark early with their size of Patrick Wessler and...
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Hoop State Championship (Round 2): Liberty Heights National vs. Liberty Heights Varsity
Two teams that are certainly quite familiar with each other battled it out in the second round of the playoffs and for a chance to compete for a state title. There was no love lost between these two, as you could see that both teams wanted to have a chance to be crowned a champion. Both teams started out a little slow but got things going, as varsity held a narrow 12-11 lead after...
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Hoopstate Championship Recaps: Word of God v. Liberty Heights Varsity
The fourth game to conclude round one of our Hoopstate Championship bracket took place between Word of God and Liberty Heights Varsity. In all honesty, this contest was as highly anticipated as any matchup from the opening day. As expected, things kicked off in an extremely competitive, back-and-forth fashion. After an intense eight minutes with multiple lead changes, both sides were tied at...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Hoopstate Championship
6’8 ’22 Ezra Ausar (Liberty Heights) Though his status as one of the state’s top prospects should already be widely acknowledged, the unsigned Ausar continues to perform at a high level. He’s a long, explosive forward/post with a strong frame and the ability to simply dominate opponents with his physical two-way approach. That being said, Ausar also hit jumpers, attacked off the bounce, and...
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Hoopstate Championship Recaps: Combine Academy v. Winston-Salem Christian
The third game of our Hoopstate Championship bracket took place between Combine Academy and Winston-Salem Christian. It didn’t take long for the Goats to assert themselves, establish a lead, and end the opening quarter with a 21-10 advantage. However, the Lions put together consecutive scoring possessions to start the second period. The battle maintained its intensity, but Combine Academy...
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Hoopstate Championship Recaps: Moravian Prep v. Lake Norman Christian
The second game of our Hoopstate Championship bracket took place between Moravian Prep and Lake Norman Christian. The Storm came out of the gate and scored the first two buckets to start this contest. Immediately thereafter, Moravian Prep put together a 12-2 run, started controlling the action, and led 14-10 after the first quarter. The ensuing period was more of the same, as Moravian continued...
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Hoopstate Championship Recap: Liberty Heights v. NC GBB
The first game of our Hoopstate Championship bracket took place between Liberty Heights National and NC GBB. Things kicked off in favor of Liberty Heights, as they struck first, dug deep on both ends of the floor, and did a great job of extending their lead prior to the end of the first quarter—where Liberty Heights led 21-10 over NC GBB. The Cardinal continued their hot start, rattling off 14...
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Player Standouts at Phenom PG Nationals
6’7 ’22 Joyful Hawkins (North Florida Prep) In all honesty, Hawkins possess as much raw talent as anyone from this contest. His combination of size, length, and athleticism allows him to physically impose his will against most opposing forwards. However, Hawkins is more than an athlete. His offensive skillset has made strides since last summer, and he looks more than comfortable at making plays...
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Players to Watch for in the NCHSAA State Championships: Weddington v. Panther Creek
6’2 ’22 Kyle Frazier (Weddington) Although any of the Cook-Morton-Lowe grouping could be emphasized here, Frazier is always so reliable at filling in the gaps as the glue-guy on both ends of the floor. He’s an extremely well-rounded player who understands how to naturally affect all facets of the game. Frazier is a quality passer, shooter, rebounder, and versatile defender who simply plays...
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Players to Watch for in the NCHSAA State Championships: Seventy-First v. West Charlotte
6’8 ’23 James Scott (Seventy-First) Given the difference between these two rosters (especially following the Donovan Raymond injury), Scott could ultimately be the biggest x-factor on either team. He’s just extremely reliable on both ends of the floor, and that should allow him to naturally affect all facets of the game within the flow of the action. Scott is long, poised, and really embraces...
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Weddington, ” A team of Destiny?”
Last year, Weddington, won its first ever state championship going a perfect 18-0, winning the NCHSAA 3A State Championship. Coached by Gary Ellington, Weddington moved from the 3A classification to the 4A classification. While we had Weddington has a “team to watch” in our pre-season predictions, we would be foolish to say we expected them to be 30-0 and advancing to the NCHSAA 4A State...
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Phenom Game Report: Northwood vs. West Carteret
Playoff basketball, there is nothing like it in North Carolina as we continued with the public schools. Phenom Hoops was on deck for an intense showdown between Northwood and West Carteret, two strong teams that have won 20+ games on the year. Coming out, it was Northwood that made their mark, playing their pace, creating havoc on the defensive end and jumping out to a quick lead. But West...
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Phenom Game Report: Rocky Mount vs. Seventy-First
Phenom Hoops continues their tremendous coverage of the public school playoffs, as we checked out Seventy-First as they welcomed in Rocky Mount for an absolute showdown. Both teams came out strong and traded baskets, with Seventy-First earning the early edge, 15-13. The Falcons used a balanced attack early on between their size and guard play, while 2023 Jamal Townsend got things going for...
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Grimsley v. JL Chambers
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the heart of Greensboro for a high-level playoff matchup between the Whirlies of Grimsley and the Cougars of JL Chambers. There was a ton of excitement in the air. On one side, Chambers probably entered this contest slightly underrated based on their seeding (considering they arguably played the most challenging schedule of any public-school team in the...
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Phenom Game Report: 2A NCISAA Championship (Trinity Academy vs. The Burlington School)
The final championship game on the night, Trinity Academy and The Burlington School battled it out in the 2A Division. Both teams have had strong seasons and wanted to end it with a ring, as there was a ton of talent on the court in this one. The game kind of started out slow for both teams, as Trinity Academy took the narrow one-point lead after the first quarter. 2023 Kevon...
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Phenom Game Report: 4A NCISAA Championship (Carmel Christian vs. Greensboro Day)
The day continued on championship Saturday, this time in the 4A Division which brought two heavyweights to the building in Carmel Christian and Greensboro Day. Carmel Christian, led by their senior leader in Cade Tyson, came out strong early to get the early lead. Tyson came out strong with 10 points early and 2022 Logan Threatt helped chip in as well, as Carmel held the early 16-11 lead. ...
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Phenom Game Report: 1A NCISAA Championship (United Faith vs. Greenfield)
We continued our coverage of championship day in North Carolina, this time looking towards the 1A Division. United Faith and Greenfield met up on the court, as both teams have had a strong season and wanted to end it with a championship. Coming in, we were looking at the battle between two very strong seniors and both came out strong in this one, as 2022 Aaron Murphy led the charge for...
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Phenom Game Report: 3A NCISAA Championship (Concord Academy vs. HP Christian)
We started the championship day in the 3A Division as High Point Christian and Concord Academy battled it out. The length and size for Concord Academy made their impact early, as Kany Tchanda and company were able to start the game with a 13-0 lead and they led 17-6 after the first quarter. HP Christian though started to get it going, led by their leader in 2023 Darius Kane. Kane was able to...
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NCISAA Championship Previews
After a season full of anticipation, the wait is finally over. We’ve reached playoff time after the first (somewhat) normal season since everything crashed due to covid. Between teams playing full schedules and the decreasing amount of general hysteria throughout the country, folks clearly wanted basketball to return. While some restrictions (masks, testing, etc.) still remain in place, this...
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NCISAA 2A Semifinal Recap: The Burlington School vs Wayne Country Day
In a rematch of last year’s NCISAA 2A State Semifinals, The Burlington School (28-7) would once again host Wayne Country Day (25-7). All season long, these two teams have been at the top of our private school rankings. 6’3 2024 Kobe George The Burlington School knew in order to win this game, they would have to make it very difficult on Wayne Country Day’s Collin Tanner, their...
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Phenom Hoops Game Report: Crossroads Christian vs. Greenfield
The Final Four in each division of the NCISAA playoffs took place on Tuesday night and one matchup we were watching was Crossroads Christian as they traveled to take on Greenfield. Coming out early, Greenfield looked poised and ready early, led by their duo of Aaron Murphy and Hampton Evans. They came out strong and attacked offensively while the Knights played their pace on both...
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Phenom Game Report: Gaston Day at Trinity Academy
In the 2A Division, Trinity Academy and Gaston Day battled it out as they both were looking to get one step closer to a championship. The stars were out in this one, as both teams got a chance to feel each other out, as Gaston Day was able to gain the early lead behind their guard play (24-23). Trinity’s seniors in Noah Ross and Sam Perez came out strong as well early. Second quarter...
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Phenom Game Report: Calvary Day vs. Gaston Christian
It was our second game of the night on Thursday night, as we went down the road to check in at Gaston Christian as they welcomed in Calvary Day for a playoff showdown. Getting there at the start of the second quarter, Gaston Christian was able to gain the early edge with a 13-9 first-quarter lead. Gaston Christian was able to maintain their lead heading into halftime behind the...
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Phenom Game Report: Alexander Central Nips Freedom for the Northwestern Conference Tournament Championship
The grudge match was set. Morganton Freedom (17-6; 9-2) and Alexander Central (21-4; 8-2) were playing for the Northwestern 3A/4A conference tournament championship. Freedom, coached by Clint Zimmerman, and Alexander Central, coached by Ed Willis, split during the regular season. Freedom lost to Alexander Central 59-42 back in January, but returned the favor by winning 80-62 just last...
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Phenom Game Report: O’Neal School vs. Gaston Day (Boys)
Phenom Hoops was on the road again Thursday night, making our first stop at Gaston Day as they welcomed in O’Neal School for a playoff showdown. Getting started in the game, there were several fouls called early on that slowed down the game early on, with Gaston Day holding the narrow 15-9 lead after the first quarter. Second quarter though, Gaston Day started to strut their...
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Phenom Game Report: Lake Norman wins thrilling 61-59 win over Cox Mill
In the nightcap of the inaugural Greater Metro 4A conference tournament semifinal, it was the No.1 seed, Cox Mill (18-6; 11-1) vs. the No. 4 seed, Lake Norman (15-10; 5-7). For Cox Mill, coached by Ty Cox, they have already secured the No. 1 seed from the Greater Metro 4A conference. As for Lake Norman, coached by Grant Hodges, it’s win or go home scenario. Lake Norman must win the conference...
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Phenom Game Report: West Cabarrus wins 77-70 in OT vs. Mooresville
West Cabarrus 77 Mooresville 70 West Cabarrus, coached by Jabarr Adams, entered the contest with a 8-4 conference record and 13-12 overall. With a probable bid for the NCHSAA state playoffs, West Cabarrus secured a 77-70 overtime victory over Mooresville. Mooresville, coached by Armard Moore entered the game with a 10-2 conference record and 20-2 overall record. West Cabarrus was swept by...
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Phenom Game Report: Olympic at Harding (Boys)
Phenom Hoops was back on the prowl to check out the talent around the state of North Carolina, this time looking at Harding University as they welcomed in Olympic. What ended in being a thriller, these two teams competed every second of the game. Starting off, both teams were trading baskets, looking to attack, and got several players involved early on. 2023 Kendarion Thomas led the...
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