Feast of Champions
Team Preview: Eastern Guilford
Last year, head coach Joseph Spinks led Eastern Guilford to an impressive 29-4 overall record before falling to eventual state champion Cox Mill by the score of 70-66 in the state playoffs. Coach Spinks will have plenty of optimism heading into the 2017-18 season. He returns the 1-2 scoring punch and All-Conference players of Jaylen Alston and Montez Venable. With the success of the football team, Eastern Guilford will be a little shorthanded for the Feast of Champions, but will still have plenty of fire power on display.
6'4 '18 Jaylen Alston
Jaylen Alston has been on the Phenom Hoop Report for quite some time. We're talking about a highly competitive two-way player that plays with an enormous motor. Last season, Alston averaged 21.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG and 2.4 SPG. Coach Spinks stated, 'Alston is great in the open court and slashes to the basket with the ability to play with contact. He shoots from the outside and has really improved his mid-range game and is a very dynamic player.' Alston is a two-time Conference Player of the Year, All-Region, All-State, MVP of Regional, and Times News Player of the year. Alston has signed with Gardner Webb University.
6'0 '18 Montez Venable
Montez Venable is the straw that stirs the drink for Eastern Guilford. He is a consummate point guard. Last season, he averaged 16.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 SPG, and an impressive 6.7 APG. The southpaw like Alston is a complete two-way player. Coach Spinks stated, 'Venable is a quick and attacking point guard with the ability to finish well at the rim.' He is currently getting tremendous interest from various D2 schools and was All-Conference two years in a row along with being named All-Region, and All-Area.
Top Newcomers
6'7 '20 Nic McMullen
While Nic McMullen received limited minutes last year as a freshman, coach Spinks will expect quality minutes and contribution from his stretch four. Coach Spinks stated, 'McMullen can post and shoot from the outside. He should be a real factor for us this year with his ability to put the ball on the floor and rebound. He could be a sleeper this season.'
5'1 '21 Kadyn Dawkins
Kadyn Dawkins is a young freshman who just turned 14 years old. Coach Spinks stated, 'Dawkins has deep range on his 3-point shooting. He shoots at a high percentage from the outside. He has a very high basketball IQ. He reads picks and rolls well. Dawkins is a great ball handler.'
