SUMMER FINALE EVENT RECAPS

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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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – 6th & 7th Grade Girls

On Tuesday night, Phenom Hoops was also able to cover Charlotte Skill Factory's sixth and seventh grade girls' teams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standouts.   Gavin Tessicini made an impression on the defensive end. She moves her feet well and is an active on-ball defender. Offensively, she excels in the open court with her speed and ability to attack the basket. She...

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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – 6th & 7th Grade Boys Standouts

In continuing our coverage of Charlotte Skill Factory, on Tuesday night we covered their sixth and seventh grade boys' teams. Let's take a closer look at some of the standouts from each age group.  Sixth Grade 2030 Xander Goodwin stood out as immediately during drills with his smooth, effortless shooting form. As the practice progressed, you were able to see his full skillset. He displayed...

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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – Monday Standouts

This week, Phenom Hoops will be in attendance for Charlotte Skill Factory's media week. On Monday night, they held practice for their second through fifth grade boys. Director Lawrence Gordon has done a tremendous job of building this program where they put an emphasis on skill development, fundamentals, and developing their student-athletes on and off the floor. The Charlotte...

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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans'Tibbs

On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans' workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We've seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...

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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans'Graves

On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans' workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We've seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...

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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans'Henderson

On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans' workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We've seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...

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Open Gym Tour: Laney High School

Coach BJ Donnell, “The Homecoming” For first year Head Coach BJ Donnell, there's no greater opportunity to return to you alma mater. Coach Donnell was a star basketball player and graduated from Laney High School in 2008. After a stellar high school career, Donnell earned a scholarship and attended Fayetteville State University. For the past seven years, Coach Donnell has been an...

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Open Gym: Concord Spiders

Phenom Hoops travelled to Concord, North Carolina to check out the Concord Spiders coached by Barrett Kruegar. Last season, Concord finished with an impressive 22-6 record with losses coming to Central Cabarrus (3-times), JM Robinson (NCHSAA 2A State Champion), Northwest Cabarrus (In overtime), and in the state playoffs to traditional power Ben L. Smith. Concord has a rich tradition and hopes to...

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Open Gym Report: Piedmont Classical

On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to New Light Baptist Church to see the Bobcats of Piedmont Classical. Since their founding in 2016-17, this program has found consistent success through building around the local (mainly Greensboro-based) talent. Now, in his first full season at the helm, Coach Cardes Brown (and Justin Watlington) has all the necessary pieces to have a ton of success....

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Phenom Open Gym: Christ School

Phenom Open Gym: Christ School Phenom Hoops travelled to the footsteps of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Arden, North Carolina to cover open gym. Head Coach Josh Coley has plenty to be excited about for the upcoming season. Last year, Christ School finished with a 16-11 record, but returns the top three scorers in 6'4 Emanuel Richards (19.3 PPG; 5.2 RPG), 6'5 Bryson Cokley (9.3 PPG; 4.5...

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Phenom Open Gym: 1 of 1 Academy

Phenom Open Gym: 1 of 1 Academy Phenom Hoops travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover 1 of 1 Academy. Practicing in historic Second Ward Gymnasium, it was a treat to watch the coaching of Head Coach Jermaine Jackson. Talk about attention to detail and heavy emphasis on defense and proper close outs, the players were being coached at an extremely high level. The former Detroit-Mercy and...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look

Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look A team such as Combine Academy deserves a second look. A roster filled with high level prospects, first year Head Coach Mike Wright has plenty to be excited about. Walking into the two-hour practice a few minutes late, we could sense the energy in John Jordan Gymnasium. There's no denying the fact, Coach Wright brings passion and the intensity...

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Phenom Open Gym: Pine Lake Prep

Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season.  One team that we were able to view recently was Pine Lake Prep.  Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. Pine Lake Prep faced a tough...

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Phenom Open Gym: Winston-Salem Christian National

Phenom Open Gym: Winston-Salem Christian National  Coach Antonio Lowe has a proven track record of developing programs. Not too long ago, he put Moravian Prep on the map and they won the inaugural Hoop State Championship. Since then, Coach Lowe has moved on to Winston-Salem Christian and is building another successful program at the national level. First of all, Winston-Salem Christian is a...

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Phenom Open Gym: Mallard Creek

Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season.  One team that we were able to view recently was Mallard Creek.  Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. When you talk about Mallard...

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Phenom Open Gym: United Faith

United Faith has been a traditional basketball program at the NCISAA 1A level. Last season, they once again won another state championship and this year's team looks poised for a repeat. First year head coach Darion Holloway, known as 'Coach D,' has plenty to be excited about. Coach D has been with the program for four years and served as the associate head coach for the past three years. Upon...

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Phenom Open Gym: Charlotte Catholic

Phenom Open Gym: Charlotte Catholic Playing in the super competitive NCHSAA Southwestern 4A conference,  last season, Charlotte Catholic finished the conference regular season with an 8-4 record and won the conference tournament championship to advance to the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.  Charlotte Catholic ended the season with a 17-11 record. Coach Mike King returns a core nucleus...

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Phenom Open Gym: Concord Academy

Head Coach Frank Cantadore is one of the most underrated coaches in the state, regardless of class or affiliation. Year after year, Coach Cantadore will play the toughest schedule, bar none! He isn't afraid of the challenge and views the toughest teams as an opportunity for his team to improve and get better. Case and point, Concord Academy had a losing record heading into the NCISAA state...

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Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus

Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus Last season, Central Cabarrus finished with a 30-1 overall record losing to eventual NCHSAA 3A State Champion, West Charlotte, in the Western Regional Finals. With 93% of the scoring returning, Coach Jim Baker has plenty to be excited about and should be the pre-season favorite in the NCHSAA 3A West. Central Cabarrus plays an unorthodox style of basketball and...

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Phenom Open Gym: Carmel Christian

Phenom Open Gym: Carmel Christian Coach Joe Badgett is one of the premier high school coaches in the country! Period. Point Blank. Winning and Coach Joe Badgett go hand in hand and the defending NCISAA 4A state champion has once again put together a roster that will be a favorite to repeat as state champions. And to take it a step further, put Carmel Christian in the national conversation as one...

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Phenom Open Gym: Covenant Day

Phenom Open Gym: Covenant Day  For first year head coach, Michael Laney, is without question the right person to help rebuild Covenant Day. First of all, Coach Laney is a man of faith, deeply committed to teaching the game the right way and is excited about the challenging opportunity that lies ahead. Playing in the NCISAA 4A Charlotte Independent Conference, he is literally being thrown...

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Phenom Open Gym: JL Chambers High School

Phenom Open Gym: Chambers High School Last season, JL Chambers went 22-7 before losing 58-56 to eventual NCHSAA 4A state champion, Weddington High School. From the outside looking in, many basketball pundits may not have high expectations for Coach Brian Frasier's team. 6'2 Jaylen Curry transferred after averaging almost a 'double-double' of 16.6 PPG and 9.1 APG. 6'8 All-Conference Player of the...

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Phenom Open Gym: Hickory Christian Academy

Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season.  One team that we were able to view recently was Hickory Christian Academy.  Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. When talking about...

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Open Gym Report: The Burlington School

On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to The Burlington School in Burlington, North Carolina for our annual open gym tour. The Spartans have turned a lot of heads over the last decade between guys like Ron Johnson, Will Robertson, and Ryan Bernardi. Now, George Marshall is at the helm and folks still have plenty to be excited about. He's already asserted his culture, leadership presence, and...

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Phenom Open Gym: Holly Springs High School

Phenom Hoops travelled to Holly Spring, North Carolina to cover Holly Springs High School. Coach L.J. Hepp has plenty to be excited about with a team that finished 23-5 last season and should be one of the early favorites in the NCHSAA 4A. To put it mildly, Holly Springs and Myers Park could be the two early favorites to compete for the coveted 4A state championship. Coach Hepp has a unique...

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Open Gym Report: Quality Education Academy

On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for our annual open gym tour. The Pharaohs have consistently been among the most talented teams in the state over the last five-plus years, but the hiring of Andre Gould made things even more intriguing for the program. His ability to accumulate talent has always been visible, as QEA (and...

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Phenom Open Gym: Panther Creek High School

Phenom Hoops travelled to Cary, North Carolina to cover Panther Creek open gym. Coach Shawan Robinson is considered one of the top coaches in the NCHAA. Last season, Panther Creek finished with a 23-8 record losing to Weddington in the NCHSAA 4A State Championship. When you think of Panther Creek, the first word that pops up is 'balance.' It's a total team effort for Panther Creek where everyone...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy

Phenom Hoops travelled to Lincolnton to cover Combine Academy's open gym. ACC head coaches Steve Forbes of Wake Forest and Mike Young of Virginia Tech were in attendance along with assistant coaches from VCU, Western Carolina and College of Charleston.''Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled a team that will be in the conversation as one of the premier high school teams in the country. Combine has...

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