STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
The proof is there… 2022 Xavier McKelvy one of the more underrated prospects in North Carolina
If you have watched 2022 Xavier McKelvy play, one can see that he has the goods to play at the next level and has shown that on a consistent basis for the last two years now. We first got our glimpse of McKelvy randomly at a Myers Park game, where he led the team in scoring and showcased his old-school feel on the court. Fast-forward to where he is today, McKelvy has only continued...
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Division I talent everywhere you look for Team Charlotte 2022
It is an easy statement to make but one that you can say almost every year… Team Charlotte 17u is absolutely LOADED with talent that will have college coaches flocking their way. Phenom Hoops got a chance to watch them start the travel ball season at the Queen City Showcase. This is a team coached by Derius McInnis, who has done an outstanding job with this group over the years. When diving...
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Team Charlotte 16u putting everyone on alert early on
Phenom Hoops got a great taste of the action we will be seeing for much of the summer at the Queen City Showcase and Team Charlotte is certainly going to be a popular name to watch… but that shouldn’t be any different from previous seasons. Each year, Jeff McInnis and company bring in some of the top talent around the region and they are looking to do it once again. Charlotte 17u has a ton of...
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Bendel’s Best: Queen City Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina for another highly entertaining three-day stretch of grassroots basketball. There was expected to be a ton of excitement with over 150 teams and countless noteworthy prospects on display, and they certainly delivered. While numerous players were worthy of recognition, this...
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Queen City Showcase: 15u White Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. Both teams were coming off tough wins right before and after a long weekend, they wanted to end it right. Rip City 2024 and NC Rim Runners left it all out on the...
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Queen City Showcase: 16u Blue Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. In the 16u White division, CB Hoops and Go Hard met up for the championship, as they wanted to end the weekend off right. Early on, CB Hoops used a balanced...
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Queen City Showcase: 17u Blue Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. The final game of the night on the arena court, Team Hickory and EA Prep brought the energy and the competitive nature to the floor. These two teams left it all...
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Queen City Showcase: 16u White Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. Ending the day in style, we had multiple teams competing for a championship. This time around, the Carolina Bad Boyz and EA Prep Adidas 16u battled it out in...
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Queen City Showcase: 15U Red Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. It looked to be a heavy-weight fight between CP3 2024 and Team Loaded. Both teams were looking towards this game and wanted all the smoke coming in, looking to...
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Queen City Showcase: 16u Red Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. Two teams that are familiar with each other, took to the court for a championshp battle in the 16u division. Team Charlotte 2023 and Team United 2023 both came...
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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom’s Queen City Showcase
6’2 ’22 Evan Smith (Ace Elite) Coming off a strong high school season, it should be no surprise to see Smith continue to assert himself as a phenomenal two-way player. He’s capable of operating effectively from either guard position due to his combination of IQ, playmaking, and three-level scoring ability. Smith is an extremely reliable defender with toughness, anticipation, and leadership...
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Queen City Showcase: 17u Red Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. The battle between these two teams was heated… The players were into it, the coaches were going back and forth, and the fans were on their feet. This was...
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Queen City Showcase: 17u White Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. Heading down into the 17u White Division, both the Carolina Gaters and Garner Road 17u Graves had a fantastic weekend. Both were racking up the wins and playing...
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Queen City Showcase: 14u Red Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. The young guys continued to play at a high level early on Sunday and it was Team United 2025 that came out strong, made a statement, and finished strong as well....
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Queen City Showcase: 17u Navy Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. In this matchup, it was the Carolina Cavs vs. Big Shots SC Premier 2023, both looking to end their tournament with a win. The Carolina Cavs came out strong once...
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Queen City Showcase: 13u Red Bracket Championship
It was Championship Sunday and that only means that teams were going to go home with some hardware. It had been a tremendous event and the players and coaches really came out to compete, but only a few teams could go home with a trophy. In the 13u bracket, it was Team Loaded NC vs. Team HOPE Noch 2026, as the young guys got into the action. Team Loaded NC made an impressive statement in this...
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Queen City Showcase Standouts: Day 2
By: Noah McKenzie 5’10 2026 Zamarius Gladden (Team Loaded NC 13u) is talented way beyond his years. He led the way today for a talented Team Loaded squad doing everything on offense and defense. On both ends, he relentlessly pursued rebounds, and goes to the floor often. On offense, he’s primarily a slasher and rim attacker utilizing his athleticism, but he can knock down the 3 as well. What...
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Special K’s Standouts Day 2: Queen City Showcase
6’8 Ryan Djoussa of Upward Stars Pee Dee 17U had a great showing today and has shown improvement since last summer. He showcased the ability to not only rebound at a high rate but also protected the rim well all day long. Loved the motor and activity he played with; he defended well in space and in the pick and roll. He did a great job of getting position and finishing inside. As he continues to...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Queen City Showcase Day 2 (Part 2)
2022 Tim Vaughn (Chattanooga Elite): Vaughn brings the blend of size at 6’5 but can really operate in several areas of the floor. Can battle down low but also step out and stretch the floor. Liked his overall impact as well on the boards. 2022 Amare Pearson (Team Wall): Pearson was sensational on Day 2, scoring consistently, attacking the rim and finishing strong. Put down several...
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Dawkins’ Day Two Standouts: Queen City Showcase
DeAjai Dawkins’ Day Two standouts 6’2 2024 Zion Walker (CP3 2024) In my opinion, every selfless high school athlete should have a default aspiration for their high school career; winning a state championship. For 2024 Zion Walker, he was able to cross that goal off his list early-on, as The Burlington School completed their marvelous journey toward hardware during the 2020-2021...
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Dawkins’ Friday Evening Standouts : Queen City Showcase
Michael Marcus DeAjai Dawkins’ Friday Evening Standouts 6’3 2022 Jacoby Jackson I feel like many coaches can relate to the player on their team that possesses nearly every quality they can ask of them, yet are still waiting to see those qualities all tie together game in and game out. Jacoby Jackson fits that player model top to bottom. Jackson is a strong guard with the...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Queen City Showcase
5’9 ’23 Darren Lloyd (Carolina Bad Boyz) Though slightly undersized, Lloyd has been a staple of this Bad Boyz group throughout the last few years. He’s tough, makes smart decisions, and utilizes his quickness very well on both ends of the floor. Lloyd is a nice finisher, capable perimeter shooter, and quality passer with great open-floor speed. He also fights for rebounds and defends bigger than...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Queen City Showcase Day 2 (Part 1)
2022 Justin Monden (All-Carolina): Though a smaller guard he was assertive on offense to start Day 2 for his team. Shows that he is a crafty guard that can create for himself and is effective from multiple levels of the floor. Smooth jumper to his game. 2022 Syncere Lynch (Team HoopState): Lynch played strong to start Day 2, really attacking and being aggressive. He was able to show...
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Queen City Showcase Standouts: Day 2
Isaiah Henry By: Noah McKenzie 6’3 2025 Kody Frey (Save Sports Elite NC 2025) demonstrated his unique combination of skills. Offensively, he is the full package. He’s got a smooth stroke and his length allows him to finish well at the bucket. He also posses a solid handle to go along with impressive vision. Not only does he possess the skills of a high level player, but the mentality, too. He...
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Special K’ Standouts: Queen City Showcase (Day 1)
Richard Black Back in the great city of Rock Hill, SC , I along with the rest of the Phenom Hoops Staff started out the Phenom Queen City Showcase with some good talent. Being one of the premier tournaments of the summer, the weekend is packed full of talented players and teams. Here is who I thought stood out today on the courts I observed. 6’4 Shawn Wilson of Team Hickory 17U Cannady...
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Queen City Showcase Standouts: Day 1
By; Noah McKenzie 6’0 Gage Lattimore 2024 is an extremely well-rounded player. Defensively, he plays with fantastic anticipation and energy. On both ends, he rebounds well due to fundamentals combined with freaky athleticism. On offense, the variety of ways he can score should scare every defense. Mande has a confident, smooth jumper, and can knock down shots consistently off the dribble, but...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Queen City Showcase (Day 1)
2023 Joseph Bachman (Garner Road Davis 16u): Bachman quickly caught our eyes with his activity level on both ends. Always seems to be moving, running the floor in transition, and makes the smart/right play on the court. Really liked his quick decision making down low, finishing well around the rim. 2023 Jordan Durham (Garner Road Davis 16u): Durham continues to progress in his development...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Queen City Showcase
6’8 ’24 Joshua Hill (Juice All-Stars) It seems like the long, wiry post prospect seems to progress on both ends of the floor with each new viewing. Hill possesses an extremely array of tools, especially given his physique, and displays a pretty solid understanding of the game. He’s always active as a rebounder and rim-protector, which allows him to consistently block/alter shots from within the...
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Queen City Showcase Team Preview: Team Takedown 17u
The Queen City Showcase in Rock Hill this weekend is going to be off the charts. With talent all on the floor, livestreams streaming the games, and a ton of coverage from Phenom Hoops, this is going to be one of the best events to start the travel ball season. That is why we wanted to get a leg up on it, as we spoke to several coaches that will be bringing their teams to South Carolina...
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Queen City Showcase Team Preview: WBC Elite 16u
The Queen City Showcase in Rock Hill this weekend is going to be off the charts. With talent all on the floor, livestreams streaming the games, and a ton of coverage from Phenom Hoops, this is going to be one of the best events to start the travel ball season. That is why we wanted to get a leg up on it, as we spoke to several coaches that will be bringing their teams to South Carolina...
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