On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops took in practice at Apex Friendship. Coming off of a big win Tuesday night at Middle Creek, Coach PJ Lowman’s team didn’t waste any time getting back to work the next day. Coach Lowman’s message to the team was clear, “Don’t be satisfied.” I remember Coach Lowman saying, “Do you walk in here with a big head because of one performance or are you still hungry'”

The message resonated throughout practice. From the start to finish, everyone’s energy level and communication was high. Everyone is engaged. When a positive play occurs, everyone celebrates. Watching this team practice, you can tell that this group is bought in and committed to one another’s success. Another sign of a good team is when the team is player led. Coach Lowman has a group of upperclassmen who set the tone every single day.

Kenny Noland 6’3 2021

Kenny Noland continues to impress on the recruiting scene holding offers from Army, Navy, Eastern Kentucky, and Dartmouth. One would expect his recruitment to continue to grow with the start of their school’s season. The senior guard is a high academic and high IQ player. He has an unbelievable feel for the game. He always makes the right play and takes care of the basketball. His demeanor never changes and plays with so much poise. This is not an exaggeration, he does everything on the court well. He shoots the ball from the perimeter at a high level, whether it is off of the catch or the bounce. He can get to the midrange and also has great touch on his floaters. He has good size and quickness, and is able to use his strength when attacking the gasket. More importantly, he is a very good passer. He creates off the bounce, gets into the lane and is able to find his teammates for open threes. Noland has really good end to end speed and can really push the pace. Defensively, he has really good instincts. He is a good on-ball defender. Noland also has a great understanding of team defensive concepts. Above all else, he is an outstanding young man and leader for this team.

Luke Proctor 6’2 2021

Luke Proctor brings even more shooting and ball handling to the table for this Apex Friendship team. He is a lights out shooter who gets his shot off quickly and has deep range. He can make shots over contested hands at a high clip, and if he’s left open, it is automatic. He moves well without the ball and can come off screens ready to shoot. Don’t let his ability to shoot the ball fool you into thinking that he’s just a shooter. Luke Proctor is a quick, shifty guard who is able to create off the bounce and find his way into the teeth of the defense. He is a crafty finisher around the basket. His IQ level is high and he makes the right plays on the court. If he isn’t able to finish at the basket, he sees the floor and is able to find open teammates. He has the ability to play with the ball in his hands in pick and roll situations. Defensively, he embraces the challenge and keeps the ball in front. Luke Proctor is receiving interest from several ODAC schools. Expect him to have a big senior season for the Patriots.

Gabe Proctor 6’1 2022

Gabe Proctor burst onto the scene this summer with Tea Marie Hoops. After playing JV last season, he is ready to make his presence felt at the varsity level. Gabe Proctor is in the conversation as one of the best pure shooters in the state. He can really make shots with deep range. He gets his shots off quickly and isn’t afraid to let it fly. Every shot he shoots, he believes it’s going in. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid of the big moment. His confidence is through the roof. He made his presence felt this summer against shoe sponsored travel teams knocking down several clutch three-pointers against some of the best competition. More importantly, he brings an energy level that can’t be matched. He is always talking, cheering, clapping, and doing whatever else it takes to get himself and his team going. This energy will be so vital in a season with limited spectators. Teams will have to bring their own energy. Gabe Proctor does just that, and more.

Will Asken 6’10 2021

Will Asken provides a valuable post presence to this Apex Friendship team. He has a strong frame and is able to create great post position by being able to seal his defender deep in the paint. He has nice touch and is very consistent going over his left shoulder getting to his right hook. In pick and roll situations, he has showcases good hands by being able to catch and pocket passes and finish with ease. He also has the versatility to put the ball on the ground and drive it from the perimeter. He moves well and is able to attack in straight lines, using his strength to hold defenders off and attack the basket through contact. In addition, he his very active on the defensive end of the floor. Asken uses his size to protect the rim. I was really impressed with his ability to defend the pick and roll. He is able to hedge properly and return to his man, or he is able to switch and contain the ball handler. In the post, he does a really good job of using his mobility and strength to not get sealed and forces his opponents to catch the ball off the block to his advantage.

Cole Ganim 6’4 2021

Cole Ganim is a versatile wing who will provide tremendous value to this Apex Friendship team on both sides of the basketball. He is able to knock down the perimeter shot at a high percentage. His ability to make the three-point jumper sets up his ability to get to the midrange where he can knock down the one to two dribble pull-up jumper. In addition, he can get to the basket, where he attacks strong and finishes through contact. One of my favorite aspects of his game, is his ability to really pass the ball. He makes beautiful backdoor passes. He has a knack for finding the open cutter through windows that most other players wouldn’t be able to. Also, Ganim’s motor is definitely worth mentioning. He leaves it all out there on the floor and loves to make the hustle plays. In practice, he had a chase down block in transition. He crashes the offensive glass creating second chance opportunities for himself and his team. Defensively, he is able to guard multiple positions whether it’s a guard out on the perimeter or someone bigger in the post. His versatility will help this team go a long way this season.

Patrick Sams 6’2 2022

Patrick Sams is another versatile guard/wing prospect who will come up with big plays for Apex Friendship this season. Whether it’s a timely basket or a hustle play, Sams is the type of player who will contribute in a very positive manner. He will knock down the perimeter jumper. He will attack the offensive glass for put-backs. He will make the extra pass to the open teammate. Sams does a tremendous job of playing without the basket. He reads the defense really well and finds the open cutting lanes for easy layups.

Isaac Holmes 6’5 2023

New to this Apex Friendship team is Isaac Holmes. He is a big guard who has a really good IQ and feel for the game. He is a tremendous passer. Holmes is crafty with the ball and knows how to get by defenders. He gets into the paint and finds shooters or makes nice drop off passes. In the open court, he does a great job of finding the open man. He also has the ability to knock down the perimeter shot. This ability to shoot it forces the defense to guard him which in turn allows him to do what he does best, and that is create and find others.