STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Open Gym Report: Caldwell Academy
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina for an exciting open gym session. Entering their third season under Coach Brandon Clifford, the Eagles appear more talented than ever. They have a nice mix of young prospects, veteran pieces, and under-the-radar guys who will inevitably play pivotal roles during the upcoming season. In terms of sheer depth,...
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Phenom Open Gym: Calvary Day
6’3 2026 Dane Cassada Dane will be Calvary’s leader/head of the snake this season. The intelligent, high-IQ guard can beat you from the perimeter and off the bounce. Dane does a tremendous job controlling the tempo and playing the game at his own pace. He makes suitable basketball play and rarely makes mistakes on the court. Dane is a knockdown shooter from the perimeter. He uses his...
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Open Gym Report: Bishop McGuinness
On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Kernersville, North Carolina for an open gym session at Bishop McGuinness High School. The Villains have been a consistent contender throughout Josh Thompson’s tenure, and this year will be no different. They’ll be led by the senior duo of Cal Barrett and John Campbell; however, the roster is truly littered with useful pieces. Their slew of returning...
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Phenom Open Gym: Davie County
6’2 2024 Coleman Lawhon Coleman is a quick, shifty combo guard who can create for himself and others. The senior leader will have a major role on this year’s team. Coleman plays with a high motor and competes every possession. Coleman can impact the game on both sides of the ball. He is capable of really filling it up from the perimeter. Coleman also battles defensively and does a good job...
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GRACE Christian has the tools to make this a dangerous team
Phenom Hoops and GRACE Christian are quite familiar with each other over the years, as this is a program under head coach DeShannon Morris that has not only built something special but has developed terrific young men and student-athletes. This is a program that comes to compete every time they step on the court, and never back down from the challenge. We had a chance to watch them recently at...
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Phenom Open Gym: Knightdale
By: Cooper Hart On Monday evening, Phenom Hoops stopped by Knightdale HS to check out the 2023-24 Knights. Entering his first year, Coach Watson will have a deep group full of athletes to work with. ’24 Khaim Taylor Taylor will be the main senior leader for this group. He’s a strong, athletic guard that defends the point of attack at a high level. He does a great job of making opponents...
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Phenom Open Gym: Quality Education
5’11 2024 JJ Moore JJ is a quick, shifty guard who has the ability to create his own shot or plays for others. Even though he isn’t the biggest guy on the floor he will be one of the toughest players who will compete at a high level. JJ has the ability to impact the game defensively with his ability to put pressure on the ball handler. He also does a great job rebounding for his size &...
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Phenom Open Gym: Heritage
By: Cooper Hart On Monday afternoon, Phenom Hoops made it out to Heritage High School in Wake Forest to check out the 2023-24 Huskies. First-year Head Coach Gibson Pyper will have an intriguing array of talent at his disposal, and they should be much improved from a year ago. ’24 Jared Bush Bush was impressive throughout the afternoon with his overall quickness. His speed in the open court,...
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Phenom Open Gym: Trinity Academy
By: Cooper Hart On Thursday morning, Phenom Hoops stopped into Trinity Academy workouts in Raleigh to check out the 2023-24 Tigers. Coach Burrell will be working with a lot of underrated and unproven talent this season. 6’2” ’25 Kamran Prince Prince impressed with his athleticism and reliable nature. He was the best player on the floor, dominating the game by doing a handful of small things at...
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Phenom Open Gym: Jordan
By: Cooper Hart On Wednesday night, Phenom Hoops made it out to Jordan HS to check out Durham’s premier program. After losing six of their top nine, Coach Ross will rely on a young group of relatively unknown and unheralded pieces to continue their winning tradition. ’24 Christian Moses Moses was the lone senior in attendance and should provide valuable minutes in their deep guard rotation. He...
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Phenom Open Gym: Myers Park, “The Team to Beat”
Phenom Hoops travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover Myers Park open gym. Last year, Myers Park went 28-4 and won the prestigious NCHSAA 4A state championship. Coach Scott Taylor will lose the services of 6’8 Elijah Strong (Boston College) who averaged 15.4 PPG and collected 5.4 RPG. This presence in the middle will be sorely missed, but not many teams in the country can boast about...
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Phenom Open Gym: Cardinal Gibbons
By: Cooper Hart On Monday afternoon, Phenom Hoops stopped by Father Price Gymnasium in Raleigh to check out the 2023-24 Crusaders. They are coming off a CAP-6 regular season title and return three of their top eight scorers. 6’1” ’24 Ronny Turner Turner is the clear leader for this group on and off the court. He plays a winning brand of basketball, always prioritizing the team, regardless of his...
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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy (Part 2)
Phenom Hoops traveled to Lincolnton to cover open gym at Combine Academy. In only his second year at Combine, Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled talent and depth, and may be one of his most talented teams. Last season, Combine Academy was nationally ranked and finished as a top 25 team, not to mention winning the prestigious Phenom Hoop State Championship. Combine Academy has the...
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Phenom Open Gym: Chambers is in the title hunt
Phenom Hoops travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover open gym at Chambers High School. Coach Brian Frasier has done a magnificent job over the years at Chambers. Playing in one of the most competitive basketball conferences in the state, Coach Frasier is strictly about providing the biggest challenges his team can face, hopefully to prepare them for a state title run and this year is no...
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Phenom Open Gym: Mallard Creek
Duo Guard leading the Way 2026 Rassell Young and 2025 Jayln Connor will quickly be the two names that stand out and deservingly so, as they have proven to be two strong weapons and shooters for this team. Young continues to impress and be that dynamic guard hat plays with swagger on the court. He is terrific in making plays off the bounce and scoring with flare in a variety of ways,...
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Phenom Open Gym: Moravian Prep National
6’1 2025 Eli Ellis Eli has proven himself to be one of the best players in the country. He is a player you would want to go to battle with. Eli is extremely skilled and has a great frame at the PG position. He has the ability to create for himself and his teammates. He proves the haters/doubters wrong every time he touches the floor. Eli plays the game at his own pace and does a tremendous job...
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Phenom Open Gym: Concord Academy
Veteran Guard Play 2025 6’2 Jake Benham and 2025 6’1 Gray Madeira have played well together this summer and that trend should only continue this upcoming season. Benham and Madeira both are vocal leaders and have shown that they can be threats from the perimeter but also move well without the ball and make plays off the dribble. These two will be counted on to lead the team, knock down shots,...
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Phenom Open Gym: Davidson Day
2024 Mason Smith Smith is one that has blown up over the last year, but also one can say that he is finally getting the attention he deserves. There is a lot to like about this young man, but he can be a big weapon with 6’7 frame and the ability to knock down shots with range. Quick release, is always ready to go, and shoots the ball with a ton of confidence. He had a big summer and should only...
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Lady Phenom Open Gym: Concord Academy
2028 Justice Alexander Alexander is already a name that many have heard but more will know about her game on a bigger scale in the coming years. Alexander has size and skill set that make her extremely intriguing, especially at her age. With her background, one can see that she really understands the game at a high level and more schools will be coming her way. She can score in a variety...
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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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Phenom Open Gym: Forsyth Country Day
2026 Q Williams Q Williams played extremely well during practice Monday night. The smart, savvy point guard does a tremendous job running the show. He is a paint touch guard who has the ability to create for himself and others. Q will be the head of the snake for the Furies this season. He continues to expand his game from the perimeter and has proven to be more than capable from the perimeter....
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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy (Part 1)
Phenom Hoops traveled to Lincolnton to cover open gym at Combine Academy. In only his second year at Combine, Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled talent and depth, and may be one of his most talented teams. Last season, Combine Academy was nationally ranked and finished as a top 25 team, not to mention winning the prestigious Phenom Hoop State Championship. Combine Academy has the...
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Phenom Preview: Apex looking to surprise a few
We simply can’t wait for the high school basketball season to begin, which is why we are diving into teams and doing some early previews. There are teams all around the state that we will be looking at, as we take a look at teams and players to watch out for. Team: Apex High School Last Year’s Record: 5-19 Top Three Scorers Last Year:Sam Martin: 17.1ppgZaelyn White: 12.1ppgAdley Calhoun:...
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Phenom Open Gym: Lake Norman
Phenom Hoops traveled to Mooresville, North Carolina to cover the opening day of public high school open gym/workouts. For Head Coach Grant Hodges, the future looks extremely bright. Last season, Lake Norman finished with a 19-8 record and went an impressive 11-1 in the brutally tough Greater Metro 4 Conference. While Lake Norman loses All-Conference senior Cole Callaway (Newberry), they return...
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Phenom Open Gym: North Meck
Phenom Hoops traveled to Huntersville, North Carolina to cover the opening day of public high school open gym/workouts. For Head Coach, Duane Lewis, the future is now and he has another absolutely loaded roster, including Duke commit Isaiah Evan. Last season, North Mecklenburg finished with a 29-3 overall record and a 11-1 conference record, before losing in the NCHSAA 4A Western Regional final...
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Phenom Open Gym: Winston Salem Christian
2025 Jordan Lowery Jordan is a new name to know in the Hoop State. He will play a major role for the Lions this season. Jordan is a smart, high-IQ guard who has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. The crafty playmaker has a tremendous feel for the game and makes everyone around him better. He also has the ability to knock down perimeter shots off the catch and bounce. Jordan...
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Phenom Open Gym: GRACE Christian
By: Cooper Hart On Friday Night, Phenom Hoops stopped by GRACE Christian School in Raleigh to check out the 2023-24 Eagles. They’re coming off a 21-14 record where they tied for 1st in the CCC and returned 7 of their top 10 scorers. 6’1” ’24 Steven McLeod McLeod set the tone throughout the night with his energy and intensity, establishing himself as a leader on this year’s team. He’s an athletic...
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Phenom Open Gym: North Raleigh Christian Academy
By: Cooper Hart On Thursday morning, Phenom Hoops made it out to North Raleigh Christian Academy to check out the 2023-24 Knights. They’re coming off a 14-15 season where they finished 3rd in the TISAC and returned just one of their top six scorers. 6’3” ’24 Jayse Buckley Buckley will be one of the few veteran leaders for this young group. He’s a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day: Boys Standouts
On Thursday, Phenom Hoops returned to the Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day for another evening of drills and scrimmage action. The boys kicked off their practice session by going through, drills, fundamental development, and scrimmaging. Let’s check out a few of the standouts from the practice… 2028 Gavin Jones In a gym full of new faces, Gavin Jones was easily the most enticing long-term...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day: Lady Standouts
On Thursday, Phenom Hoops returned to the Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day for another evening of drills and scrimmage action. The ladies kicked off the practice session, going through fundamental development and working hard during the stations. Let’s check out a few of the standouts from the drills portion… 2033 Finley Crowder Given her status as one of the youngest players on display, Finley...
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