Phenom Open Gym Tour: 'Don't sleep on Mooresville'
Phenom Hoops traveled to Mooresville to kick start the 2022-23 basketball season to cover open gym. Last season, Coach Armard Moore led Mooresville to one of the most successful years for the Blue Devils. Mooresville finished 10-2 in the Greater Metro 4A and an impressive 21-4 overall record. Coach Moore lost his top three players due to graduation, KC Shaw (20.3 PPG), Christian Herring (13.7 PPG), and Aishus Stewart (8.9 PPG). Losing 43 points from your starting rotation is no easy task, but Coach Moore remains optimistic for his young team. Only 5'8 junior AJ Parsley (6.1 PPG) and 6'2 senior Evaan Ezhlian (7.5 PPG) bring returning experience to the line-up. Now, let's take a closer look at key players for the upcoming 2022-23 basketball campaign.
5'8 '24 AJ Parsley
Parsley will be looked upon to bring valuable leadership from the point guard position. What Parsley lacks in size, he more than makes up with quickness, toughness and grit. Coach Moore will give Parsley the keys to be the team's floor general. Parsley is a paint touch point guard that can create for others while making crafty finishes around the basket.
6'3 '23 Evaan Ezhlian
Ezhlian will provide a steady and reliable performance on both ends of the court. Defensively, he does a really good job of getting into the passing lanes for deflections and steals. On the offensive end, he can play with or without the ball in his hands and plays extremely well within the framework of the game, not to mention he will bring consistency from the perimeter. If his play at open gym is any indication, he could be one of the conference’s top 3-point scorers.
6'3 '24 Jalen Chambers
Chambers is a newcomer to Mooresville, as he transferred from Lake Norman Christian. Overall, he had the best overall performance in open gym as he was scoring from all three levels. Chambers sports an excellent basketball frame with good length plus strength and could become one of the top newcomers in the Greater Metro 4A this season.
6'8 '25 Dylan Clark
Clark is another newcomer to the Mooresville lineup. He transferred from Statesville High School and will provide much-needed height and an interior presence. Sports good mobility, Clark has a solid skill set and has tremendous upside and potential. Coach Moore will challenge Clark to be more aggressive and to play with a more consistent motor, which will be instrumental in Mooresville's overall success.
6'3 '24 Travelle Bryson
Bryson could end up Mooresville's best all-around player. He simply does a little bit of everything well. Sporting a solid frame, Bryson can also score from all three levels and is exceptional scoring from the left side of the floor. In addition, Bryson could be used as a secondary ball handler and plays at a consistent and steady pace.
What to expect
Losing your top three scorers is never easy. Yes, it will be a rebuilding year for Coach Moore, but he has a young team that could develop into a dark horse team this season. That being said, Coach Moore has done a masterful job of rebuilding Mooresville into a basketball school. He has brought excitement, enthusiasm, and competitiveness into a once dormant program. Look for Mooresville to pull off some mild upsets this season and continue building and developing their young talent.
