STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Freshmen to Know from Phenom Holiday Classic
2026 6’3 Dane Cassada (Calvary Day): Cassada continues to be a name that impresses us with his overall maturity as a freshman. Cassada is a tough, strong, high IQ guard that understands the game well, sees the floor, and can bring some versatility to the court on both sides of the floor. He showed that he can be a knockdown shooter, as well as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. 2026...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at Phenom Holiday Classic (Part 1)
2023 Brandon Nelson (Indian Land): How about the play of Nelson to start the day on Day 2 at the Holiday Classic, flourishing as a prospect that stretches the floor with his perimeter shot-making ability. Time after time, Nelson was able to knock down shots from three in catch-and-shoot situations, but also doing a nice job in creating and making plays for others. He led the charge in a...
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Excitement Surrounding Calvary Day
After a decade of serving as the head coach for Calvary Day School, it’s clear that Joe Rybak understands how to accumulate talent and consistently compete within the private school ranks. He’s advanced a ton of players to the next level, and there’s no reason that would stop anytime soon—especially given their current group. Though Rybak and the Cougars have won plenty of games throughout his...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Tourney Town
5’9 ’24 Morgan Smith (Ben L. Smith) It’s easy to see the value Smith brings to this Golden Eagles squad, especially given her status as their primary ball-handler and overall creator. She’s a very tough, rugged, polished lead guard with a quick first step and the ability to fill it up as a scorer or create for others. Smith attacked the basket and finished, but also hit pull-ups at a high...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 of Phenom Tourney Town (Part 2)
2025 Kaden Hammond (The Burlington School): A new piece to the program, Hammond has quickly come in for this team and made himself a presence with his frame and ability to carve out space in the paint. The 6’8 prospect did a great job in battling down in the paint, attacking the boards, and being strong in carving space and showing touch around the basket. Another stat that has to grab your...
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Cooper’s Developments: Phenom HS Jamboree Session 1
By: Cooper Hart Seth Cullen (Flight 22 Prep) Seth is a 6’6” Wing/Forward that has a strong frame and quick feet. He was impressive today on the defensive side of the ball where he was constantly switching onto bigger and smaller players, allowing him to eliminate advantages all over the court. I like that he plays containment defense as he rarely gambles for steals and is good at keeping his man...
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Reece’s Standouts: Triad Blue Chip Summer League (Part 2)
by: Ethan Reece This past week Phenom Hoops went out to cover the Triad Blue Chip Summer League at TW Andrews High School in High Point, NC. The league has been held annually for 6 years now and features a good variety of the abundance of great prospects the Triad area has to offer between both public and private schools. This article will take a look at the standouts from the second part of the...
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“Getting to Know” 6’1 ’25 Dane Cassada
We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
5’6 ’27 Corey Kinard (Strong Center) Though he was among the youngest players on display, it was easy to be impressed with Kinard throughout this viewing. His production is predictably appealing, but the intangibles are arguably what make him such an enticing long-term prospect. Kinard is very smart and patient with the ability to consistently create for himself and others. He displays a...
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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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Player Standouts from Phenom September Classic (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 Dane Cassada (PSB Cassada)The score sheet might not have shown much but the scoreboard showed a win and that’s what matters. In a low-scoring defensive-minded matchup, Dane really turned the tables to rally his squad and pull out a hard-fought comeback win in the semis. He got things rolling with his defense and the game started coming to him, driving and dishing and coming...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Rise Showcase (Day 1, Part 1)
2026 Jabian Shabazz (Carolina Rockets): The Rockets started out in impressive fashion and Jabian was one of the reasons why. So young but this is a young man that has a terrific frame and size already, standing around 6’5, carves out space, has terrific hands, and excels on getting on the board. This is going to be a big man to really watch down the road as he continues to grow and develop....
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Player Standouts from Phenom Rise Showcase (Day 1: Part 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2026 Lance Barnes (Carolina Heights)Lance led the charge in many ways this morning, but none more so than with his ability to facilitate. He’s a long guard with great instincts as a rebounder that turned into leading the break with really smart decision-making. Saw the floor so well, impressive for a rising eighth-grader to know when to cut as well as read the defense so easily...
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Name to Watch: 2025 Dane Cassada (PSB Cassada)
Phenom Hoops gets to see a lot of players over the summertime during travel ball season. One player that has caught my eye on multiple occasions and continues to be a name that pops up on the MVP list and as one of the top scorers for his team is 2025 Dane Cassada for PSB Elite. I got to see him in person first at the Phenom Challenge, where he was off the charts in scoring the ball,...
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Player Standouts from Day 3 of Phenom Memorial Day Classic
By: Ethan Reece 2024 Will Ricketts (CC Elite White)Will came out absolutely on fire at 8 am to start Sunday off. Knocked down 7 threes in the win over HoopKlip! Did an excellent job of spotting up, getting his feet set, and was able to stay in rhythm easily as his teammates kicked the ball out to him over and over. Every shot had really good rotation on it 2024 Kory Scott (Upward Stars...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Challenge (Day 1, Part 1)
2025 Greg Murray (Carolina Riptide 2025): As a young guard, Murray has a natural feel for the game and how to attack off the dribble. He makes savvy plays, always seems to be active and around the ball, and sees the floor really well. Add on top his ability to score from multiple levels and create off the dribble, Murray is certainly going to be a name to remember. 2025 Jackson Fannon...
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Phenom 150 Session II Camp Evaluations: Team 11
Team 11 Coach: Stanley Walker #66: 5’9 ’23 Raehzekeil Rice (Hough) Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Raehzekeil Rice. He’s a scrappy guard prospect with nice creation skills and the ability to effectively defend at the point of attack. Rice found ways to involve himself as a rebounder on both ends of the floor....
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Phenom Hoops’ Carolina Middle School Showcase Evaluations: Team 4
Team 4 Coach: Jake Senyo #5: 4’11 ’25 Landon Wilson (Florence, SC) Starting things off, we look at a player that made a nice impact on both sides of the ball during camp, Landon Wilson. He’s a wiry, slightly undersized point guard prospect with quickness and an excellent feel for the game. Wilson handles the ball with care and can create for himself or others with great poise. He’s able...
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