Day 2 Storylines
The day started off wary, had a couple running clock games early. However, that quickly changed as the day continued to progress. A packed out crowd, three very close games, and some late game antics helped lead the event to a great close.
Oak Hill Falls to 22 Feet Academy
All the talk coming into the event was about Oak Hill Academy and the talented depth of their team. Rightfully so, this team had 6 players sign early to high major programs. On Friday night, Oak Hill played a very capable Providence Day team and was in a comfortable lead for the majority of the game. Led by 6’7” forward Braxton Key (Alabama) and Mario Kegler (Mississippi St), Oak Hill was rolling.
Rolling, until that is, they were faced with the 2nd half against 22 Feet Academy. The first half was much the same, execution and shot making. Oak Hill took an 18 point lead into half time. The second half started as the Eli Wright show and was wrapped up as the Justin Miller show. The 6’4” Wright, a Mississippi St signee, stole the weekend’s show. He was simply brilliant and jumped from outside the Top 100 ranking to talk of a possible McDonald’s All American.
Miller’s story may even be a better one. He started this summer, tipping the scales at 300 pounds. Miller spent the entire summer reshaping his body as he stepped onto the floor at a svelte 240 pounds. Miller, a lefty, rebounds, passes, and makes plays for his team. With an offer from South Carolina St and Eastern Kentucky, expect that list to grow drastically.
North Carolina Sophomores Take a Leading Role
North Carolina has never been short on talent. Annually, NBA All Star teams are laden with talent from the Hoop State. This year, 4 of the nation’s top 10 players hail from North Carolina. It is during these events, this time of year, that players start to make a name for themselves. North Carolina’s 2018 class is starting to do just that. Three players in this class did just that this weekend.
6’2” Tripp Greene of Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville) – What a difference a year makes. Greene was a starting guard for last year’s FCDS team in this event. However, this year Greene was the man. He averaged 17 points and 5 steals during two games. Greene’s confidence is high, his defense is suffocating, and his production is through the roof.
6’4” Coby White of Greenfield (Wilson) – Our Rick Lewis has been preaching about White for going on two years now. Per usual, Lewis is spot on with his player evaluation. White has great size, he has a relentless approach. With a history of sending 15+ guys to D1 schools over the last 7 years, White may be the best. He has early offers from Cal State Fullerton and High Point, expect high majors to look in.
6’5” Nate Hinton of Northside Christian (Charlotte) – Hinton has been consistently ranked in his classes top 5 for a couple years now. However, that ranking was due to his hustle and production. This year, Hinton has improved his ball skills greatly. Hinton has great size for his position, he is a tireless defender, and this weekend he showed to be a mutli level shot maker. With an early Wofford offer, expect high majors to start looking in soon.
Unsigned Seniors Continue to Shine
The season has started, player’s senior years have begun. Somehow many guys are left without offers and real opportunities. Especially with the first signing period coming and almost gone, schools are about to recalibrate their big boards. Here are some names that you should see peeking on multiple boards.
6’9” Bruno Solomun of Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, NC) – Bruno is a skilled big with range and more athleticism than you think. He would fit the mold of what Richmond, Davidson, and Appalachian State do. This weekend Solomun averaged 17 per game, and did so with short corner dunks and jump shots with range. He claims, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, and Loyola (Chicago) offers.
6’6” Deshawn Corprew of Quality Education (Winston Salem, NC) – Corprew would have been the steal of the A Sun class. Now he may be the hottest talked about available wing. Corprew has a college ready frame, great length, defensive tenacity, and great ball skills. The likes of Cincinnati and Texas were involved prior to his commitment, expect many high majors to look here.
6’3” Symon Walczak of Mountain Mission (Grundy, Va) – The lefty point guard, was tough, crafty, and was able to consistently make his team mates better. Walczak spent his time in the late, both dishing and finishing. With no real recruitment now, look for low and mid major schools to be beating down his door.
6’5” Harold Baruti of Mountain Mission (Grundy, Va) – Baruti is an explosive athlete. He gets downhill and looks to finish through and over players at the rim. He is a very good perimeter defender and can make shots, off the catch, with range. With UNCW and SMU offers, look for mid to high major schools to be spending a lot of time in Grundy, Virginia.
5’10” Godwin Boahen of Hill Academy (Toronto, Ontario) – This kid was relentless. He lived in the paint and was a bucket getter. With questions that may be asked, he quickly dispelled any negativity with production. Boahen claims Niagara and Eastern Kentucky offers. Expect that list to grow with schools that value toughness, winning, and production from their point guard position.
6’7” Justin Miller of 22 Feet Academy (Greenville, SC) – Miller’s skill set and his motor are two attributes that stick out the most. He is a high post type forward that can make the pass, make the shot, and will grab the board. Miller averaged 10 points, 14 boards, and 4 assists over the weekend. He carries Eastern Kentucky and South Carolina State offers, this list should end up a who’s who of Big South, Southern Conference, and MEAC schools.
6’5” Miguel Priest of Legacy Charter (Greenville, SC) – Priest has a unique skill set, but one that pads the entire stat sheet and leads to wins. This weekend he showcased all of that, as he cruised to two wins and 18 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game. The sturdy wing is a ball hawk defender, a deft passer, and terror in transition. He carries NC A&T and South Carolina State offers, like Miller that list shold be a who’s who of Big South, Southern Conference, MEAC schools with CAA and A Sun type school looking.