PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
PHENOM FOCUS: Nicolet’s James Graham is Wisconsin’s HOTTEST Prospect! Recruiting Update + Visits
Up in Wisconsin, 2021 James Graham has been one of the hottest prospects, gathering several high-major offers over the last month or so. Patrick O'Brien sat down with Graham to talk about how this season went for him and what changed in his game. With offers from Georgetown, Auburn, Vandy, Michigan State, Xavier, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Cincinnati, Missouri, FSU, Wake Forest, and Maryland all in the last month, has he been able to take it all in and what has he been looking at with these programs when talks to the coaches and takes his virtual visits? Graham also has intentions of narrowing his list down soon and possibly knowing when he may want to commit. Listen to the latest.
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COACH’S CORNER: Cannon’s Che Roth Speaks on Winning STATES & Coaching the No. 1 PG in the COUNTRY!
What a year it has been for head coach Che Roth from Cannon, now coming off an NCISAA 4A State Title this past season. Rick Lewis sits down with a good buddy of his to chat it up. Roth talks about some of the biggest challenges he has had to face, the process behind #Earnit, and cruising down memory lane of some of the ups and downs from this past season, ending with a state title in North Carolina.
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COACH’S CORNER: Hoggard’s Brett Queen’s Journey to Coaching + Keeping 15 Year Playoff Streak Alive!
Hoggard head coach Brett Queen brings fans another episode of the Coach's Corner. Coach didn't play basketball in high school but it didn't stop him from becoming a head coach. From coaching at the collegiate level to the high school level, he has built himself a reputation, including 15 consecutive years of making the playoffs at Hoggard. He also discusses some of the changes he has seen with the game and what advice he would give to the young players on getting to the next level.
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COACH’S CORNER: Leesville’s Russ Frazier + Carter Whitt Talk Relationship + Winning Culture at LR!
Rick Lewis from Phenom Hoops is joined with not only one of the top head coaches around in Leesville Road Russ Frazier but also one of the top players in the country in the 2021 class in Carter Whitt. We discuss it all, including Coach's road in being a head coach, what it is liked to change a culture of a program, and building a successful program at Leesville Road. We also sit down with Carter Whitt to talk about his game, his decision to remain in the 2021 class, and the goals he has set for himself.
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COACH’S CORNER: Greenfield’s Rob Salter Speaks on Winning Tradition + Favorite Coby White Moments!
Greenfield head coach Rob Salter has racked up state championships, regular-season championships, a ton of wins, and has produced high-level talent over the years, so it was only right for Phenom Hoops and Rick Lewis to learn more about him. We discuss it all including when he decided to become a basketball coach, how he has able to continue his winning tradition, his memories of coaching Coby White, and how he would like to be remembered as a coach. A must-listen for everyone.
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COACH’S CORNER: Hickory Grove’s Jim Rhodes From KANSAS to NC; His Journey + Season Outlook!
Head coach Jim Rhodes from Hickory Grove Christian sits down with Rick Lewis for another coach's chat. Growing up in Kansas, Rhodes played D2 ball for Fort Hays State and ended up the all-time 3-point percentage leader in a tremendous career. From there, he came to NC and started as the JV coach at Independence before becoming the head coach at Hickory Grove. We dive into his rich history as well as breaking down some of his players, including star AJ Smith. We also get his opinions on a few matters, including the 3-point line and others.
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COACH’S CORNER: Bishop’s Josh Thompson Speaks on Coaching HS, Running an AAU Program + USA Camp!
Rick Lewis sits down once again with another rising coach in the ranks North Carolina, this time sitting down with Bishop McGuinness Josh Thompson. Starting his coaching career in 2004, he has secured over 275 wins, won multiple state championships, served as the court coach for USA basketball youth development camp, and is also the NC Spartans founder and program director. He dives into it all, his program's culture around books and basketball, and much more.
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COACH’S CORNER: Rocky River’s Donald Kirby Speaks on NEW ROLL + Goals/Expectations For the Season!
Phenom Hoops welcomes in the new head coach at Rocky River, as coach Donald Kirby will take over the basketball program. We dive into his past, talking about his playing days in Virginia, his time at West Meck, and the lessons from his time at Carmel Christian under Coach Badgett. He also dives into what his goals and expectations are at Rocky River, as they bring some intriguing talent to the table. We welcome him into the coaching world in NC and coach will certainly be looking to make his mark in the state.
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COACH’S CORNER: Wilson Prep’s Anthony Atkinson Talks EPIC College Run + Travels Around the World!
Phenom Hoops brings you a special guest with Wilson Prep head coach Anthony Atkinson. What were some of his major reasons to return home to coach and what are some of your goals and expectations for this team and program? He also takes a look back at playing at his career at Campbell and Barton, along with 12 years with the Globe Trotters. He brings you it all as we continue to travel around the region to talk to coaches and their story.
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COACH’S CORNER: TBS Ryan Bernardi’s Journey From College Manager to Being Named AD and Head Coach!
Graduating from Elon in 2019, Ryan Bernardi has quickly risen up the ranks as a head coach and now the athletic director at The Burlington School. When did he decide he wanted to become a coach and what did it mean to him about being named the HC and AD of The Burlington School and play a national schedule? What have been some of the biggest lessons he has learned early on and what kind of pressure does he face at such an early age? He dives into it all with founder of Phenom Hoops and good friend Rick Lewis.
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COACH’S CORNER: Mt. Tabor’s Andy Muse Speaks on Coaching Longevity + Lessons Learned Thru the Years
A staple in North Carolina for over 25 years, Rick Lewis sits down with Mount Tabor head coach Andy Muse who has won over 500+ games in his career. He discusses being an assistant coach under his dad at Parkland, what were some of his biggest lessons he learned from his father, what have been some of the biggest changes he has seen in the game, and what he can contribute to his long-term success? Coach also discusses what it is like to now see his son, Adam Muse, following in his footsteps.
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COACH’S CORNER: Thomas Jefferson HC Steven Jones Speaks on Winning A State Championship + AAU!
From winning a state title at East Rutherford HS, to a grad assistant at Gardner-Webb to now being the head coach at Thomas Jefferson, Coach Jones has seen it all. He talks with Rick Lewis about his journey and his journeys at East Rutherford, Burns, and now Thomas Jefferson, along with now being the coach at Pro Skills 16u. What is his philosophy of coaching and what has been his most memorable moment as a head coach so far?
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COACH’S CORNER: Weddington HC Gary Ellington Takes Us Through HIS Journey to Becoming a Head Coach!
Born and raised in North Carolina, Gary Ellington knew he wanted to be a coach early on in his life. He has had an interesting road to where he is today but he now sits as the head coach at Weddington. He discusses the long road with Phenom Hoops founder Rick Lewis, along with what has been some of his biggest takeaways and life lessons he has learned.
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COACH’S CORNER: Myers Park Scott Taylor Talks About Head Coaching Journey + 5 STAR Drake Maye!
Myers Park head coach Scott Taylor is on deck for the latest Coach's Corner. Taylor's ride to be a head coach has been a fun one, once being a scholarship manager at Florida State, to being an assistant coach at Queens, to now being the head coach at Myers Park. What lessons did he learn and what were some of the adjustments he had to make. Now a successful coach for the Mustangs, he looks at his previous three years of success, what Drake Maye has provided to the program, and who has been the biggest impact for him as a coach?
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COACH’S CORNER: Averett’s Chris Sause Speaks on HS/College Days + The Platform Provided by Phenom!
Rick Lewis joins an old friend in Averett's assistant coach Chris Sause to look back at the years of his high school career at Voyager Academy and his college days at NC Wesleyan. Sause also dives into his time with Phenom Hoops and how that helped him prepare for the job he has today. A great interview with one of the rising stars in today's industry.
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COACH’S CORNER: Harding HC LJ Johnson Talks HS/College Playing Days + Who’s Up Next in the 704!
Another episode of the Coach's Corner comes from Phenom Hoops, as Rick Lewis and Patrick O'Brien sit down with Harding head coach LJ Johnson. We discuss multiple topics today including his interesting path of playing basketball and football, his background of being a coach on multiple levels, and what he has been able to do in a short time at the program. Coach Johnson breaks down his thoughts of players to watch next year and much more. Make sure you listen in and subscribe to all our outlets.
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COACH’S CORNER: Smith HC Derrick Partee Discusses COLLEGE Career + Favorite Moments Thru the Years!
Founder Rick Lewis brings you another 1-on-1 interview with Ben L. Smith high school head coach Derrick Partee. He discusses what it took to prepare himself to be a coach, his collegiate career at NC A&T, and some of the top players he has coached over the years. We dive into it all with one of the top coaches in the state in the newest episode of the Coach's Corner. Take a listen and make sure to subscribe.
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COACH’S CORNER: Indy HC Coach “G” Talks About Breaking “Streak” + Family Connection Through Hoops!
Rick Lewis with Phenom Hoops sits down with Independence head coach Lauren Lewis Galvani and daughter of HC Duane Lewis at North Meck. She shares some stories and memories of growing up, what made her want to get into coaching, and what was it like to be named the head coach at Independence and breaking the 63-game losing streak and now winning over 20+ games last year.
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COACH’S CORNER: SPECIAL GUEST Langston Wertz Jr. Catches Up with Rick Lewis on Life + Trey’s Journey
We bring a special guest on the show, one Phenom Hoops and fans around the state of North Carolina, as we sit down with Langston Wertz... A journalist, a coach, and a father. He discusses with Rick Lewis his journey as a journalist, covering Providence Day years ago as well as watching his son, and his thoughts on the high school game. Great interview with one of the best in the state. Listen in and make sure to subscribe.
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COACH’S CORNER: South Meck’s Gary Hall Speaks on Coaching Journey + NEW GIG in the #Hoopstate!
Phenom Hoops is joined by a legend for high school basketball and now one that will be apart of North Carolina. New South Meck head coach Gary Hall joins Rick Lewis and Patrick O'Brien to talk about his journey as head coach in Virginia, Texas, and now North Carolina. What drew him to South Meck and what kind of style is going to bring to the program? That and much more! Make sure you subscribe to our channel for more interviews.
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Coach’s Corner: Providence Day HC Brian Fields Speaks on 2016 State Champs & NBA’er Grant Williams!
Phenom Hoops brings you another episode of the Coach's Corner with a long-time friend in Providence Day's head coach Brian Field. Field has been enjoying his dream of coaching at Providence Day for several years now and we take a joy ride back to the past to relive some of those moments, including his championship run with Grant Williams, Devon Dotson, Trey Wertz, and several others. We also look towards the future with the program and coach defines what a Brian Field coached team looks like. Make sure to subscribe and enjoy.
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COACH’S CORNER EP. 3: Cox Mill HC Ty Johnson Speaks on 25-4 Season + Coaching Goals!
Our coach's corner episode continues to plug right along, this time looking at a young but talented coach rising up the ranks in Cox Mill's Ty Johnson. With a few years under his belt, he took a job at Cox Mill when the program was losing 98% of their scoring but he still finished with a 25-4 record and is looking for more next year. What are his goals as a coach and what does his faith help provide to the programs and players. That and much more with Coach Johnson in our latest episode. Make sure you subscribe!
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COACH’S CORNER: Ardrey Kell’s Mike Craft Talks HS Playing Days + College Coaching Experience!
Ardrey Kell's Mike Craft sits down with Rick Lewis and Patrick O'Brien, looking back at his history as a player in high school but also his rise in becoming a head coach. Being an assistant at Appalachian State, Wingate, and at Davidson, he learned a lot of lessons that he still uses today at Ardrey Kell. He continues to find success at the high school level, as his team's continues to be one of the top programs in the state. What are a few of his philosophies on the court and what is he looking forward to next year.
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COACH’S CORNER: Independence HC Preston Davis Talks About Playing & NOW Coaching at his Alma Mater!
Phenom Hoops brings you another episode of the Coach's Corner, where we talk to coaches around the state and region of various levels. Today, Independence head coach Preston Davis joins us to talk about his journey. From his playing time at Independence and his road in becoming a coach, what it was like to win a state title as a coach, his mentality on the court, and some of the challenges he has faced.
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HIGHLIGHTS: 4 Star Myles Tate Continues Streak of HIGH MAJOR SC Point Guards! High School Highlights
Check out highlights from Myles Tate, a 6' CG from Dorman HS out of South Carolina. Tate is committed to Butler University next season and help lead Dorman to multiple state championships. On the AAU scene, he competed with Upward Stars on the Adidas Gauntlet.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Robert Dillingham is a CERTIFIED BUCKET! “Baby Iverson” Freshman Year Highlights
Check out highlights from 6'2" Robert Dillingham, a SG from Combine Academy out of Lincolnton, NC. Dillingham is considered one of the top freshman in his class nationally and made the move over to Combine this last season. He hit some big time shots and showed immense maturity despite being his age and the ceiling is only up from here.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Jaylon Gibson X Dji Bailey Give Wake Forest In-State DUO! Season Highlights (Combined)
Check out highlights of Jaylon Gibson and Djimon Bailey, 2 players committed to play at Wake Forest next season. Gibson is a 6'10" forward that played for Grace Christian last season while Bailey was the lead guard for the Greenfield Knights. Their commitments give Wake a nice in-state duo that they'll rely on for the next few years.
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HIGHLIGHTS: JaJuan Carr Stays Home & Commits to UNC-W! HS + AAU Season Highlights
Check out highlights from 6'2" Jajuan Carr. Carr is a 2020 point guard from Pender HS in Burgaw, NC. This past season Carr was named NCBCA District 2 POY while averaging over 22 PPG and grabbing 5 RPG. These highlights include his high school season along with his AAU season with WBC Elite 17U.
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HIGHLIGHTS: 2022 Po’Boigh King is 1 of NC’s TOP Shooters; 2019-2020 Highlights
Check out highlights from 6'2" Po'Boigh King, a SG from Roanoke Rapids, NC. He's considered one of the top shooters in ENC and made the move over to Word of God Christian Academy this season to showcase his skills on a national stage. This AAU season, King will run with WCBA 16U.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Cam Hayes was NCSU 1st TOP 100 Commit of the 2020 Class; 2019-2020 Highlights (AAU, HS)
Check out highlights from Cam Hayes, a 6'3" CG from Greensboro Day that's committed to NC State University. Hayes was Keatts second commit of the 2020 class but his first Top 100 player joining 4 star Nick Farrar. Hayes made the move over to GDS after playing at Smith HS in Greensboro. On the AAU scene, Hayes competed for the CP3 All-Stars on the Nike EYBL.
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