On Thursday, Phenom Hoops traveled to Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, North Carolina to preview one of the more under-the-radar teams across the state. After going 10-15 last season, the Wildcats hired Grant Hodges to serve as the new head coach. He’s not necessarily the most decorated coach, but any respected figure within the grassroots scene is already well aware of his vocal style and phenomenal knowledge of the game.
Hodges has done a terrific job with the Carolina Riptide, taking a somewhat unassuming group of players and showcasing their ability to compete with anyone through chemistry, grittiness, and fear of absolutely no one. His vision to implement that mentality into this group should be challenging, but will certainly be entertaining. Let’s take a closer look at their roster…
5’11 ’21 Clay “Smoke” Hodges
This roster has a variety of useful weapons, but Hodges will be at the forefront of their success on a night-to-night basis. He’s clearly the undisputed leader of this team and has been since long before his father took over as coach. Hodges leads by example and simply does everything that a floor general is supposed to do. He’s smart, patient, and rarely has a lapse in judgment, both when looking to score or create for others. We’ve seen Hodges outwork and outperform more “highly-touted” players for quite some time, which really epitomizes who he is as a basketball player. He’s so undeniably rugged and it’s especially evident on defense, where his surprising quickness allows him to mirror opponents at the point of attack. Hodges conducts the offense with poise and maturity, always hunting for the best available pass but also actively taking advantage of easy opportunities on offense. He isn’t going to pass the initial look-test but rest assured that Hodges is the type of guy that other players would rather play with than against. He is the ultimate winner and should become a priority among scholarship-holding coaches very soon.
6’5 ’20 Dom Adams
There isn’t going to be a ton of size on this roster, but Adams is going to be a strong interior presence on both sides of the ball. He’s big, physical, and quite athletic, which provides a dynamic that no one else can really offer. Adams has an assortment of tools outside of his physical attributes, including soft touch with either hand and the ability to control the glass as a rebounder. He runs the floor well and should likely have the most productive season of his career, which could make him worth a look from D3 coaches.
6’1 ’20 Jack Edmonson
Like Adams, Edmonson enters this season with the chance to garner some attention from D3 coaches as a very strong wing prospect with an excellent three-point stroke. He’s built like a linebacker and understands his role on the court. Edmonson moves well without the ball and shows a consistent willingness to compete defensively and on the glass. He’s also a high academic prospect that takes care of business in the classroom.
6’3 ’21 Christian Taylor
Not in attendance, Taylor’s role on this team is going to be as valuable as anyone’s. He’s an absolute workhorse that plays with a nonstop motor on both ends of the floor. Taylor isn’t going to be the flashiest guy in the gym, but he’s certainly someone that coaches need to win games. His ability to affect the game through toughness and without requiring offensive touches makes him extremely useful. Taylor plays well bigger than his size, is a quality athlete, and simply exudes leadership by example. He’s undersized, but college coaches should continue monitoring Taylor, as he’s a true winner.
6’5 ’21 Seth Aeschliman
Of everyone on this roster, Aeschliman has a chance to be the biggest surprise during the upcoming season. He’s probably their most difficult player for opponents to matchup with, given his big man-like physique and impressive array of perimeter skills. Aeschliman handles the ball well (especially for his size) and is a phenomenal passer, both in transition and the half court. He has a big body and utilizes it well to clear out space and position himself around the basket. For as skilled as he is, Aeschliman still shows a clear desire to battle around the basket for points, rebounds, and extra possessions. He shoots the ball effectively from the perimeter and can thrive in a variety of different roles. Aeschliman will be a major x-factor for this group during the upcoming season and should have college coaches buzzing, especially given his incredibly high academics.
6’3 ’22 Davis Wagner
As useful as he already is, it seems likely that Wagner could really start trending upward over the upcoming season. He’s a strong-bodied forward with nice size, energy, and a blossoming inside-out game. Wagner is a solid complementary piece whose opportunities will continue to expand as he develops. He runs the floor, fights for rebounds, knocks down the open jumper, and doesn’t force the action on either end of the floor.
5’11 ’22 Mekhi Goree
As a prospect that we’ve seen numerous times at camp, Goree is someone that just continues to get better. He’s a quick, high-motor guard that plays very instinctually on both ends of the court, ready and able to take advantage of an opportunity the instant it becomes available. Goree is great at getting inside, touching the paint, and making a play for himself or others. His energy is consistent as a defender, rebounder, and overall threat in transition. This team is somewhat heavy in the backcourt, but Goree definitely has the tools to carve out a strong role sooner than later.
5’11 ’23 Alex Gruber
This roster has a phenomenal mix of ages, including Gruber, who is already one of their most polished prospects despite being the youngest on the team. We’ve seen him in various different settings and Gruber has been the best player on the floor basically every time. Offensively, he’s already pretty advanced for his age, given his craftiness and ability to reliable create shots from all three levels. His IQ is evident in nearly everything he does, from how he sees the floor to how he positions himself without the ball, which is uncommon for most rising freshmen. Gruber can handle, pass, shoot, defend, rebound, and push the break, all while showcasing some high-level flashes. In terms of raw talent, Gruber could be the best long-term prospect on this roster.
6’0 ’23 Myles Williamson
Gruber is enough young talent for most coaches to be quite happy, but add in Williamson and this team’s potential is simply unfair. He’s another young, smart guard with excellent physical attributes and a pretty useful amount of skill. We’ve seen Williamson at camp, where he displayed flashes of dominance against his own age group. He loves to get downhill and attack the basket, but also has the IQ, patience, and vision to make plays for others. It’s unclear if either of these freshmen will earn serious minutes, but they are definitely going to be the future of this program in a few years.
Hodges isn’t taking over at a powerhouse program, but he will definitely take this group to another level and should surprise an abundance of opponents during the upcoming season. They will win some games that folks have already counted them out of and ultimately secure a playoff spot in the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.