2025 Dawson Esbrandt (NW Guilford)
In a very balanced attack for Northwest Guilford, it was the senior guard who led the way with an impressive showing. Esbrandt was able to make a variety of plays off the dribble, creating and getting around defenders, forcing the action offensively, and showing he can knock down shots as well as get to the line. You add on top of his ability to battle on the boards, find teammates well for easy baskets, and how active he was defensively (7 steals), Esbrandt left his mark on this game everywhere.
2025 Nicholas Graves (Bishop McGuinness)
The Kenyon College commit showcased his entire game on Day 2 of the event. Not only did he consistently knock down shots and show to be a threat from the perimeter with four 3-pointers in the win, but he competitive nature to help on the boards, make high IQ decisions in finding teammates, and his overall leadership grabbed your attention. Graves was a true leader on the court that filled up the stat sheet. Again, he is a smart, physical guard who left his imprint all over the court.
2026 Braylon Taylor (Salisbury)
Taylor had a consistent weekend, helping lead the way on Day 1 and then backing it up on Day 2 with a strong showing. Throughout the weekend, Taylor stepped up as an offensive weapon, excelling in his ability to knock down shots with range. He showed his ability to hurt defenses the his shot-making from multiple levels, but his defensive presence also grabbed your attention. He was able to create multiple steals and turn that into instant offense for his team.
2025 KJ Burke (NC GBB)
Burke ultimately hit the game-winning free throws to secure the Day 2 come-from-behind victory for NC GBB. But Burke has been consistent all weekend long, finding ways to be an offensive weapon, creating opportunities for himself, getting paint touches or finding ways to get to the line, and showing he can be a strong offensive weapon in scoring with his pull-up jumper. He was aggressive throughout and stepped up big for his team on Day 2.
2026 Dane Cassada (Calvary Day)
Cassada continues to embrace and take on the role of the focal point in the offense. And though he can mix it up well and score inside and out, on Day 2 he had success from the perimeter. He was able to hit multiple threes, getting to his spots and rising up well with confidence, but he did find ways to attack off the bounce and get to the line. Cassada though plays hard, embraces contact, and makes good decisions on the court.
2025 Jaevian Alston (Word of God)
Alston was able to flourish big-time as a versatile piece on the court at 6’6. He really can flourish in various roles, with today showing his ability to score inside and out, play off the ball to knock down shots from the perimeter, create for himself, and get to the basket. I really liked his overall impact on the court, as he finished with 24 big points to lead the way.
2026 Jeremiah Davis (HPCA)
Davis was really good throughout the contest on Day 2, as the 6’2 guard was able to accelerate and make plays downhill, finding ways to get paint touches and create well but also mix it up from a variety of other areas from the perimeter. If he wasn’t helping lead the offense, he was finding other ways to impact the game, attacking the glass, and being a playmaker for others.
2027 Charles Pur (Burlington Christian)
I have said it before and will say it again; I believe this young man is only going to move up the national ranks and also really garner attention from big-time schools around the country. Each time we see him he looks better and stronger, showing his ability to not only finish and create second-chance opportunities but also his development in stepping out more as a big. That doesn’t mention his instincts on the boards and his ability to defensively alter shots.
2025 Jake Benham (Concord Academy)
It was an all-out battle for Concord Academy vs. FCDS, but it was the senior leader who stepped up when his team needed to help secure the big win on the road and stay underrated on the season. Benham continues to flourish with his leadership on the court, making tough plays, not being afraid to step up and score, knocking down shots from the perimeter, and showing that he can be effective off the bounce (which was the game-winner).