On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Northwest Guilford, as the Vikings were set to host the Nighthawks of Northern Guilford. Given the talent and success of both programs, this contest had the makings of an absolute bloodbath. Despite some ups and downs this season, the Nighthawks have maintained their status amongst the top teams in Greensboro. On the other side, the Vikings entered this contest much better than their record would imply. Regardless, this rivalry spans beyond the last decade, and always seems to make for an entertaining contest. Let’s see how things ironed out…
Things kicked off in complete favor of the Vikings. They hit a few three-pointers to establish the early lead, and extended it from there. Their blend of ball movement and perimeter shooting makes this group quite difficult to defend when they are hitting shots. They reliably access quality looks through constantly touching the paint, kicking out to shooters, finding the skip pass, and hitting timely ball reversals—allowing them to hold a 18-12 lead after the first quarter. However, their lead would quickly dissipate. The Nighthawks took their first lead in the second period, entered halftime up 31-28, and never looked back. Their balanced offensive attack was important, but their dominance on the glass (+21 rebounding margin) is what ultimately led to their 65-51 victory over Northwest Guilford.
Northern Guilford:
6’6 ’22 Nolan Hodge (UNCW)
What more needs to be said about Hodge at this point' He’s a smart, skilled, athletic wing prospect with the ability to create for himself or others, or make plays without the ball in his hands. Hodge is an excellent shooter despite his unorthodox release point, and understands how to actively mix it up as an offensive weapon. He’s also a quality defender and does a nice job of establishing a rebounding presence on both ends of the floor. When put in the right positions, Hodge can be a definite matchup problem for opponents. Final stats: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.
6’1 ’22 Jackson Helms
This roster isn’t necessarily blessed with amazing depth, which makes having someone like Helms extremely vital. He never seems to tire out and, as someone who plays at breakneck speeds, can really overwhelm opponents with his nonstop motor on both ends of the floor. Helms is certainly at his best in the open floor, but still touches the paint, makes unselfish reads, and consistently finishes in the half-court set. His activity, athleticism, and willingness to do the dirty work makes him an obvious asset. Final stats: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
6’1 ’22 Manny Elliott
In many ways, Elliott could be considered the main x-factor of this contest. Between his timely scoring surge, amazing rebounding presence, and ability to run the team in secondary lineups, his value should be clear. He led all players in total rebounds as a 6-foot-1 guard. Final stats: 13 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.
6’5 ’23 Vance Bolyard
Although his status as a football player is documented, Bolyard proved to be a major difference-maker in this showing. Simply playing hard as a tough, strong, physical interior piece naturally led to rebounds, blocked shots, and finishes above or below the rim. He runs the floor hard in transition and looks to make any possible hustle plays. Bolyard plays very well within the framework of the team structure. Final stats: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Northwest Guilford:
6’0 ’22 Connor Ballou (Bridgewater)
It’s easy to identify Ballou as the clear leader of this Vikings squad. His pace sets the tone for this group offensively while his steady defense stands out at the point of attack. He scores with efficiency from all levels, and typically looks to manage the team without forcing anything. While it’s impressive individually, this team cannot have their floor general leading the team in rebounds—in order to maximize their success as a group. Final stats: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
6’4 ’24 Jaylen Cross
The young up-and-coming star continues to showcase flashes and gradually make strides within his overall progression. His ability to create, initiate contact, and consistently convert at the line was arguably the biggest takeaway from this showing. Cross has all the tools to be a star; his status resides directly within his development going forward. Final stats: 12 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal.