6'0 '23 Evangelia Paulk (Asheville Christian)
The Lions were the clear aggressors from the opening tip, and that was thanks, in large part, to everything Paulk brought to the table. She possesses excellent size and understands how to use it very well, both as a screener and interior presence on both ends of the floor. Paulk is extremely polished with the necessary blend of IQ, toughness, and versatility to truly dominate a game. She finishes, shoots the ball at a reliable clip, and can effortlessly create opportunities for others with the ball in her hands. Paulk handles the ball in transition and naturally makes the right play with unwavering consistency. She's an impressive prospect.
5'6 '23 Emma Larios (Asheville Christian)
While this roster has plenty of quality guards, Larios was arguably the best of their group. She's a tough, rugged, skilled shot-maker with IQ, vision, and the ability to spot-up or apply pressure as a penetrator off the bounce. Larios is a solid ball-handler and doesn't stall the offense, showing a willingness to make the extra pass whenever available. She's also a great defender and battles well on the glass, especially for her size.
5'8 '22 Kyndall Ellison (Forsyth Country Day)
It was easy to identify Ellison as the second part of the Furies' two-headed dragon, especially given her production after the break. She's strong and does a great job of finishing through contact when attacking the basket. Ellison understands how to shield off defenders as a ball-handler and can capably knock down jumpers from the perimeter. She also stood out as a consistent presence on the glass throughout this contest.
7'0 '22 Christ Essandoko (Winston-Salem Christian)
Given his overall development within the last calendar year, it's not difficult to appreciate Essandoko and his fundamentally sound identity. He's an absolute beast on the block, both at getting quality positioning and when looking to assert himself as a scorer. Essandoko is very polished for his size, able to space the floor, make sharp passes, and finish with finesse out of the post. He's reliable with both hands, runs the floor hard in transition, and does a nice job of anchoring the paint defensively'primarily when walling-up.
6'8 '23 Jordan Dumont (Hamilton Heights)
Although there were numerous standouts for this Hamilton Heights squad, Dumont was clearly their catalyst and driving force for most of the game. He's long, skilled, and possesses the size of a forward with the fluidity of a wing. Dumont already looks quite comfortable as a shooter, both off movement and in spot-up situations, and can effectively attack closeouts as needed. He's a quality athlete and utilizes his length well on both ends of the floor. Dumont also showed rebounding ability and nice defensive instincts. He's already very talented, but should only continue to get better going forward.
6'1 '22 Preston Murphy (Combine Academy)
Though it was a very balanced effort, Murphy consistently stood out among Combine's most consistent two-way performers. He didn't necessarily fill the stat sheet like others on the roster, but he didn't really need to. Murphy excelled within his role on both ends of the floor, setting up the offense and being an absolute pest defensively. He's a nice shot-maker with IQ, quickness, toughness, and great adaptability.
6'0 '22 Hamilton Campbell (Moravian Prep)
It shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone at this point, but Campbell is as electric as any floor general in the state. His crafty, heady, passer-friendly game makes him such an asset, especially to this group. He's arguably the best playmaker in the state, simply given his ability to generate space, locate the right play, and make the proper pass. Campbell is equally as flashy as he is fundamental, which only adds to the excitement he brings to a game.
6'9 '22 Deante Green (Asheville Christian)
There were a lot of talented players on the court between these two squads, but Green was the most productive guy on either team from start to finish. He did a phenomenal job of setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Green finished, created from the block, and applied constant pressure as a perimeter threat'both when spotting-up and attacking closeouts. He displayed a high motor and strong willingness to anchor the paint defensively while controlling the glass on either side of the ball.
6'7 '24 Draven Pilson (Forsyth Country Day)
Despite some struggles as a team, Pilson did a nice job of propelling the Furies forward'especially as this game continued onward. He's long, wiry, and very fluid, which allows him to actively toggle between positions defensively. Pilson continues to blossom as an offensive threat, visibly progressing as a floor-spacing option while playing hard, consistently fighting on the glass, and making hustle plays. Expect him to only keep trending upward.
6'0 '22 Shane Peterson (The Burlington School)
Although the Spartans' balanced, well-oiled machine allows everyone to shine, Peterson continues to be as vital as anyone on the roster'especially in terms of sheer value. He's a lethal shooter, but far more than just a spot-up threat, and actively looks to make plays off the bounce. Peterson moves the ball very well and makes the extra pass whenever available, but understands how to take advantage of open opportunities. He's simply better than most folks seem to think.
6'9 '24 Lathan Sommerville (The Skill Factory)
Though it wasn't necessarily the best showing for The Skill Factory, Sommerville still consistently found ways to shine for this group. He's young but already quite polished and possesses a reliable interior presence on both ends of the floor. Sommerville utilizes his body to outwork and overpower opponents around the basket. He finishes well, displays touch, and can knock down jumpers as needed.
