The Phenom HoopState Championship brings you some of the best teams that haven’t competed for a state championship in NCHSAA and NCISAA, all under one building to compete for a championship. Last year, Moravian Prep took home the title but this year, it looks to be even deeper and it is anyone’s ball game. To get geared up for the event, we want to preview some of the matchups you will see on Friday, with much more coverage coming.
Our second matchup brings a lot of star power to the floor and honestly could be looked at as anyone’s game. Bull City National vs. Lake Norman Storm, both teams have spectacular weapons, big-time guards, and big athletic prospects to watch. For Bull City National, they are led by one of the more underrated guards nationally in 2022 LJ Thomas, who is that type of dude on the floor. He can take over a game and has proven time after time in big games. Then you have Treyvon Byrd, an athletic, high-flying wing, 2021 Dondre Watson who is a freak athlete, 2021 Luc Therrien who is an underrated forward, and others that have stepped up on a different night. This is also a team that has been battled-tested and looks at this as a terrific opportunity to make a statement as a program.
Lake Norman Storm has had eyes on them all year long, especially since they brought in some tremendous, college-ready talent that will be fun to watch. Of course, you start with the star of 2023 Mikey Williams, who has proven himself big time in North Carolina this year and they have a star point guard in 2023 Trey Green; it is a duo that ranks as one of the top duos in the state. Then you have guys that have elevated their play in AJ Allenspach and Jonathan Kurtas, as well as 2022 Joyful Hawkins has made himself a big name in NC as well. Under head coach Patrick McCarthy, Lake Norman has played extremely well and would love nothing more than to finish out this season on top.
Both teams have the talent to make a run in this Phenom HoopState Championship and take home a title. Both teams have shown they know how to win big games. But the fact that this game comes in the first round at the No. 4 and No. 5 seed just goes to show you how much talent is in the field. You could do a coin flip in this game and the winner has a chance to play either No. 1 Combine Academy or No. 8 Quality Education. This will be must-see TV between these two teams, one of many in Rock.
