On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Piedmont Classical in Browns Summit, North Carolina, as the Bobcats were set to host Winston-Salem Christian Regional. Both teams entered this contest having played challenging schedules over the last few months, which only added to the excitement and anticipation of their ensuing battle. Piedmont Classical is a tough, rugged team led by a senior-laden core. They look to get up and down, push transition play, and attack the basket on a consistent basis. Add in their size and explosiveness, and it’s easy to see why they’ve caused problems for opponents. On the other side, the Lions have an impeccable depth of guys who understand how to compete and produce within their respective roles. They overwhelm opponents with their ability to get legitimately everyone involved in the action. Either way, the stage was set for an exciting contest.
Things kicked off in a very fast-paced, back-and-forth manner, as both squads raced up the floor and traded buckets throughout the opening quarter—resulting in a 23-23 score. In the second period of play, the Lions’ well-rounded attack began to shine. The Bobcats continued to battle into the break, but ultimately trailed 45-38 at the end of the second quarter. After halftime, it was more of the same, as both teams had no issue scoring the ball. Piedmont Classical fought to chip away the deficit but simply couldn’t close the gap. The Lions were clicking on all cylinders en route to a 93-79 victory over the Bobcats.
Winston-Salem Christian:
5’10 ’25 Darnerian Gibson
Despite being the smallest player for either team, Gibson was easily one of the top performers in this contest. Although he looked to set the offense and make the initial pass, his ability to create and relocate without the ball for scoring chances allowed him to cause a ton of problems for the opposition. Gibson’s 14-point scoring outburst in the first half was massive for the Lions, and might’ve legitimately been the difference between a win and a loss. He hit jumpers off the catch and bounce, finished well around the basket, and applied consistent pressure in transition. Gibson offers a great blend of IQ, craftiness, and scoring polish. Final stats: 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals.
6’2 ’24 CJ Vaughn
It’s easy to see the leadership Vaughn brings to this squad, both on and off the court. Whether through his scoring, athleticism, or general energy on the sidelines, Vaughn is a clear tone-setter for this group. In this contest, he got downhill and attacked the basket at a healthy rate while knocking down perimeter jumpers at a high percentage. Vaughn is a useful ball-handler and capable playmaker with the ability to thrive in transition. He’s an explosive leaper who finishes with consistency around the rim. He also plays the passing lanes well defensively. Final stats: 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.
6’0 ’23 Dantae Watson
Although his scoring didn’t emerge until late, Watson didn’t need to score a ton of points to mark his imprints all over this game. He operated as their primary playmaker, battled on the glass, and made his presence felt defensively. Watson scored as needed but didn’t force the action and looked to get others involved whenever possible. He’s a smart, steady piece who can effectively mesh with any collection of teammates. His perimeter shooting also allows him to find success with or without the ball in his hands. Final stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
Other Noteworthy Contributors:
6’4 ’26 Jai Richburg- 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
6’2 ’23 Caden Fitzgibbons- 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
6’2 ’23 Isaiah McAdams- 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Piedmont Classical:
6’3 ’23 Josiah Watkins
There are a lot of reliable pieces on this roster, which certainly includes Watkins and everything he brings to the table. When his teammates were hitting shots, he prioritized getting them the ball in favorable scoring positions. When they weren’t, Watkins amped up his scoring prowess and got whatever looks he wanted offensively. He hit three-pointers and midrange pull-ups while attacking the basket and finishing or drawing fouls and converting at the line. Watkins’ sheer adaptability was arguably the most impressive takeaway from this showing, as he shined as an unselfish, intelligent leader from start to finish. Final stats: 32 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals.
6’8 ’24 Richard Goods
After seeing Goods countless times over the years, this was quite possibly his most enticing showing. He played hard, battled on the glass, and effectively protected the paint. However, it was his clear willingness to dominate offensively by finishing within five feet and looking to destroy the rim at every possible opportunity. Goods can knock down the occasional midrange or three-point jumper, but is simply too strong, athletic, and physically overwhelming to settle—as evidenced in this showing. There is still a ton of obvious appeal with Goods, so it’ll be exciting to monitor his progression over the coming months. Final stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
6’7 ’23 Kahlif Barnes
For anyone who has followed Phenom Hoops, it should come as no surprise to see more positive words coming for Barnes. Between his size, strength, explosiveness, and sheer nose for the ball, it’s easy to appreciate everything he brings to a team. He’s still among the top rebounders in the state, utilizing his quick, bouncy, physical nature to simply dominate the glass. Barens is a lethal lob threat and strong finisher around the basket, but can also knock down a perimeter jumper if necessary. That being said, his vision and ability to consistently set up others (despite not being known as a playmaker) was arguably the most surprising takeaway from this contest. Final stats: 10 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.
Other Noteworthy Contributors:
6’0 ’23 Nigel Vincent- 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals