Alphonza Kee is entering his fourth season as the Head Coach at Cape Fear High School. Coach Kee has spent several years at the collegiate level, most notably as the Head Coach at Fayetteville State from 2009-2016 where he earned the CIAA Coach of the Year Award in 2014. He is bringing that same coaching style to his team at Cape Fear. For Coach Kee, it’s more than just about basketball. It’s about life. He wants to see his players develop and grow as young men.
Watching practice, I couldn’t help but appreciate how well ran and organized it was. Coach Kee places such a strong emphasis on organization. He has a detailed practice plan that he follows and stays on track. His players move from one drill to the next quickly. There is no wasted time during practice. Everyone is constantly doing something. And the effort level is something that is non-negotiable. Everyone must go hard. I remember Coach Kee telling his players, “When in doubt, go as hard as possible.”
Under the leadership of Coach Kee, Cape Fear continues to make strides and has improved all three years. Cape Fear is coming off of a 19-6 season (12-4 in the Patriot Athletic Conference) and are coming off of back-to-back state tournament appearances. Although they lost two seniors, they return three starters and several major role players off of the bench from last season. The Colts are loaded with young talent, and more importantly, this young talent has valuable playing experience already at the varsity level.
Treymane Parker 6’2 2023
To start things off, we look at one of the most talented and electric players in North Carolina’s loaded 2023 class. Of course everyone knows him given his ultra explosiveness and ability to finish well above the rim. But what really stood out to me was his overall feel for the game at the point guard position. He is much more than just an elite level athlete. First, he worked hard and gave maximum effort during drill work and throughout practice. Also, he was constantly encouraging his teammates and cheering them on. From the point guard position, he plays with really good pace off of ball screens. He sets the defender up, attacks hard, but then will change pace to freeze the hedge defender where he can then go by to finish at the rim, pull-up for the midrange jumper, or make the drop off pass to the roller. He is a very unselfish and willing passer. He sees the floor. Plays with his head up and looks to ball ahead to teammates. Makes the drive and kick play to open shooters. From a scoring perspective, he gets to the rim with ease and finishes with spectacular dunks. He is also able to make jumpers both off the bounce and the catch with consistency, and he also showcases the ability to make shots from deep range. In his first high school game last year versus Terry Sanford, Parker exploded for 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Expect him to continue to produce at a high level for years to come.
RJ McDonald 6’1 2022
RJ McDonald is another returning starter at the guard position. In fact, he has been a starter for Coach Kee since he stepped foot on Cape Fear’s campus as a freshman and provides valuable experience to this young team. McDonald is a smooth left-handed shooter who can get how and fill it up quickly. He is a good athlete who is also able to create for himself. He is deadly off of the catch, but is also capable of setting his defender up with a quick jab-step left before knocking down the one to two dribble pull-up going right.
Justin Burden 6’5 2022
Another returning starter, we now look at Justin Burden. The 6’5 wing has really good size and athleticism and will provide length and versatility on both ends of the floor for this team. On the offensive end, he has the ability to knock down the perimeter shot, but is also able to put the ball on the bounce and create. He gets to the rim and finishes through contact. Defensively, he is active and has the ability to guard multiple positions. More importantly, he handles his business in the classroom and is a good student.
Masaun Moore-Bryant 5’10 2023
Masaun Moore-Bryant is another returner who played major minutes as a freshman last season and started multiple games as well. The left-handed point guard is extremely quick and has the ball on a string. He is able to created off of the bounce and has an explosive first step. He gets into the paint and has the ability to score himself or find the open man. From the perimeter, he can really shoot the ball both off of the catch and the bounce. He has the ability to knock down pull-up jumpers from the midrange and from three with consistency. Defensively, he will help set the tone for the team with his ability to pressure opposing ball handlers.
Xavier Johnson 6’4 2023
Xavier Johnson is a big wing that will provide additional scoring and experience for this team. He played major minutes off of the bench last season. He has gone through a growth spurt over the last year, growing five inches. Johnson has the ability to make shots from the perimeter. He also utilizes his size when attacking the basket. Expect him to have a bigger role this season.
Jeremiah Melvin 6’4 2024
Jeremiah Melvin is another young prospect to keep an eye out for in the years to come. He has good size and feel for the game. Melvin’s shot looks really nice from a mechanical standpoint and it shows as he is able to consistently knock down jumpers. In addition, his length should allow him to be very versatile on the defensive end of the floor.
Mekhai Coleman 6’1 2024
Another young prospect who is new to this Colts team is Mekhai Coleman. One thing that impressed me with Coleman was his competitiveness. He is a skilled freshman who has the ability to create and get to the basket. He also showed the ability to make the perimeter jumper off of the catch. His basketball IQ will also help him earn minutes and the trust of his coaches this season.
Arrington Kee 5’9 2025
Last but not least, I loved how Coach Kee’s eighth grade son, Arrington, was out there competing and practicing with the older guys. It’s easy to tell that this young man loves the game of basketball. He has a really high basketball IQ, not just for his age but in general. He has a smooth shooting stroke. His ability to knock down the open shot and make the right decisions with the ball allow him to fit right in with the older guys. Although he won’t be playing for Cape Fear High School this season, he is someone to keep an eye out for once he enters high school to suit up and play for his father.
