Phenom's Open Gym Tour
Day 1
Millbrook High School
(Raleigh, NC)
2017-18: 16-13 2nd Round NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs
The Back Court
If you know anything about Millbrook basketball over the last 10 years, you know their backcourts are always one of the best in the state. This is an interesting backcourt, they return two starters and then a third player has made major strides this offseason.
Pulled up halfway through last season, 6'2' Phillip Burwell is the vocal and emotional leader of this team. He plays with passion and makes everyone on the floor better. On the court, Burwell is a full scholarship type prospect, as he can shoot it, defends the point of attack and he distributes well. Again, he is the piece who makes the sum of the team better.
The high academic Colin Lewis will probably be this year's leading scorer in the backcourt. The lefty has deft touch with range and is crafty and quick in getting into the paint. Standing 6', he is competitive point of attack defender, looking to defend for the entire court with quick hands and feet. Like Burwell, Lewis is a college level player.
The newbie in this backcourt is 6'4' 2020 Nolan Dorsey. Dorsey was a bit player on varsity last year and has made incredible strides over the summer to entrench himself as a sure-fire, multiple offer Division1 prospect. His father played at JMU, his brother is at Navy and his sister playing at College of Charleston and Nolan may be the best player of the kids. A dynamic point guard, who is great in transition, gets anywhere he wants off the bounce and seemingly has eyes in the back of his head. With two more years left, watch closely. The offers should start coming this year.
The Bigs
Where this team sets itself apart is the size on the block. The guards will defend the point of attack, touch the paint and make shots. But these bigs will alter games with their ability to protect the rim, stretch the floor and rebound.
6'6' 2021 Will Felton averaged 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last year as a freshman starter. Felton is great on the block, as he has patience, footwork and great length with the ability to finish with both hands around the basket. Felton is tracking as a Top 20 prospect in the state.
6'8' 2020 Sam Hood may be one of the biggest risers in the area. Hood has good bounce and really moves his feet well on defense. He can also knock down the pick and pop three and finish around the rim. Hood should see his share of Division 1 offers come down the pipe line soon. This is his first full year of focusing solely on basketball, as he was a former quarterback at the school as well. High upside and will get better every time out.
Newcomer to Watch
6'5' 2020 Jalen McCoy comes down from Putnam Academy in Massachusetts. The 6'5' lefty averaged 13 points per game and was named to the All Freshman/Sophomore team by MassLive.com. The lefty has a smooth stroke off the catch and considerable upside as a lengthy, quick twitch defender. He will be an energy guy, and most likely the first guy off the bench for this team. Look for his production to become infectious.
Outlook
Look for Millbrook to make a serious run this season. Over the last 10 years, Millbrook has made itself a perennial force in the 4A East race and they should be back in that conversation this year. They have tough guards, they can shoot it and they have good size on the block. Millbrook plays a tough schedule, but they should be one of the top teams in the Cap-7, which in turn makes them one of the favorites in the 4A East.