Phenom Hoops was down in Columbia, South Carolina to check out a ton of talented teams and players from the state at the 2022 Holiday HoopFeast presented by Columbia Basketball Group. Check out the games and standouts from each game below.
Final: North Augusta 51 – AC Flora 39
North Augusta: Maliq Richards 13pts, Elijah Hall 10pts, Amarri Wilcher 10pts
AC Flora: Cooper Wiley 12pts, Christopher Parker 15pts
2023 Christopher Parker (AC Flora): Parker is a player that goes a bit under the radar here in South Carolina but think he could be a nice piece for a program. At 6'6 and with his physical stature, Parker really can make an impact in a variety of ways. With his ability to make and create with his handles, run the floor and be a strong presence in the paint, as well as battle on the boards, Parker is one that can
2024 Cooper Wiley (AC Flora): Getting another chance to watch Wiley, I liked how he was able to operate on the floor. He played at a nice pace, has good size at 6'4, and made his presence felt in an array of ways. Liked his touch with his mid-range shot but also can step out and be a threat. He moved well without the ball, showed he can be effective from multiple levels and can be a presence on both ends.
2023 Elijah Hall (North Augusta): Hall just seemed to be everywhere on the court for his team. The quick senior guard was able to make plays and get around defenders, get into the paint and finish strong, but he also was a strong ball handler, was scrappy on the defensive end, and made those extra effort type of plays for his team. Very good showing today to help lead his team.
2023 Maliq Richards (North Augusta): Richards just seemed to be all around the ball around the basket in this game. He just found ways to get the ball in his hands, created second-chance opportunities with his impact on the boards, and was able to finish countless times around the basket. Impressive motor and presence in the paint, as his motor really carried him in making plays today.
Final: South Pointe 65 – Spring Valley 62
Spring Valley: Justin Skelton 21pts, CJ Rich 15pts,
South Pointe: DJ Barksdale 16pts, Thomas Collins 11pts, Tre Rayon 7pts
2023 DJ Barksdale (South Pointe): Barksdale was the veteran leader on the floor for his team, showing that he can step up and be a scoring threat when needed, showcase his ability to create and find his own shot, and get inside the paint to embrace contact and get to the line or finish strong. Athletic smaller guard that plays hard on both sides of the court.
2024 Justin Skelton (Spring Valley): Skelton really stepped up for his team in the second half, as he found much more success in playing off the ball and getting to his spots, than on the ball and creating. He does a nice job in catch-and-shoot situations, finding the open defense, gets in his ready position, and shows his smooth confident shot from mid-range or three.
2026 Tre Raymon (South Pointe): Raymon is a player we have mentioned a few times over the last year and there is still plenty of time for this 6'5 freshman to make an even bigger name. But when you watch his game and his upside, you can't help but get excited about the future. His ability to be a multi-dimensional scorer from several levels, ability to stretch the floor from three, btu also is continuing to add more to his game, the future looks bright for him.
2023 Carey Rich (Spring Valley): Rich is a veteran point guard that understands how to be the primary ball-handler and be under control against pressure. Time after time, Rich was able to make plays against full-court pressure, using his speed and handles to get by defenders and get into the paint to finish over defenders. But he also he some big shots from outside when his team needed in a tight game.
Final: Lancaster 68 – Oceanside 57
Lancaster: Jordan Watford 19pts, Grayson Kirk 14pts, Ladarius Cloud 17pts
Oceanside: Makhi Rivers 15pts, Malachi Stevens 9pts, Justin Coleman 10pts
2025 Jordan Watford (Lancaster): We have spoken about Watford on several occasions and believe that you will be hearing more of his name this season and down the road. The 6'4 sophomore displays a tremendous understanding and is at his best with the ball in his hands, creating and getting downhill, and finishing around the basket with body control. But he also stepped up and knock down shots from the line and big ones late in the game. He has that 'it' factor, as he is a playmaker on the floor and brings ton of versatility.
2024 Ladarius Cloud (Lancaster): The junior point guard can be electric with his speed, his change of direction, and his toughness. On several occasions, Cloud was able to push the tempo and get up the court, eventually attacking the defense, getting in the paint, and finishing tough around defenders. Cloud also can get after defensively, making it tough for defenders to get around and creating steals.
2023 Makhi Rivers (Oceanside): The senior guard made tough play after tough play throughout the game. Whether it was stepping up in big situations and making plays for himself, scoring from all three levels, or being that active defender and creating havoc, Rivers can be a strong presence on both sides. Helped run the show, facilitated well, and hit tough shots.
Final: Cardinal Newman 59 – Keenan 56
Cardinal Newman: Josiah Peeples 17pts, Russ White 11pts, Evan Carter 11pts
Keenan: Chrisean Oree 15pts, Amarii King 15pts, David Elam 10pts
2023 Chrisean Oree (Keenan): As one of the veterans for this young team, Oree showed why he was the leader of the group and one of the go-to players. Oree did a tremendous job in making plays, creating his own shot and getting around defenders and into the paint. He used his long frame to finish strong around defenders, along with showing his shiftiness as a creator. Oree is a nice combo guard that reads the floor, can score for himself and from the perimeter, and has a nice feel with the ball in his hands.
2025 Amarii King (Keenan): The young guard really stepped up in the second half and was ultimately a big difference-maker with his perimeter shot-making ability. He timely threes from the corner in the second half, getting to his spots and knocking down multiple threes in catch-and-shoot situations. It is what turned the game around from Keenan being down at half to up in the second.
2024 Josiah Peeples (Cardinal Newman): Peeples was assertive with his play in this game. He has a good feel and plays smart on the floor. Where he excelled in this game was his ability to get downhill and out in transition, really attacking the defense and going at them, finishing strong around defenders and getting to the line at times.
2024 Russ White (Cardinal Newman): White really stepped up when his team needed him throughout. The 6'3 prospect was able to be another ball-handler on the court, bring a physical aspect to the game, defend multiple positions, and founds ways to score. He is that do-it-all type player that you love to have on the floor.
2026 Elton Smith (Cardinal Newman): Though it wasn't an offensive show for the freshman big, he came up bi in the second half that you have to like. He was all over the boards, securing critical rebounds late in the game, brought a physical aspect down in the paint, and had a big bucket late. Smith stepped up when he was needed, being an enforcer on the boards.