Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the “noticeably milder” piedmont. The Great One is once again in attendance at a summer event, the Phenom Summer Finale which is the last of the travel ball season. Day 1 on Court 3 has produced some big games from big guns. There weren’t very many close games but there was 1 OT affair. We will now look at the recaps and then view our Serious 6 for the day. To the games!!!!!

Team Fly 16U took down Team Loaded NC 82-73. Jamarien Dalton tallied 21 points and 5 assists in a variety of moves and Tedric Jenkins led the Fly in scoring with 22. Loaded didn’t go quietly thanks to Elijah Jamison giving Fly 40 points as a result of his relentless effort.

The New Life Disciples showed why some shoe circuit teams are ducking them by trouncing the Carolina Speed 82-47. Tyler Young racked up 18 points and 10 boards while Jamari Thomas and Kuluel Mading added 10 each with Mading swatting away a couple of shots in the process. Edward Garner was a bright spot for the Speed with 19 points.

Charlotte Aces cruised past Team Hickory 73-52. Darlinstone Dubar collected 23 points and 7 rebounds and Dayjuwon Cook put up 11 of his own for the winners. Tavis Bridges showed solid play as he collected 14 points and 7 boards for Hickory.

Greensboro Warriors topped Greater Beckley 63-59. Jordan Williams led a balanced effort with 15 and Khalid Hines contributed 13 for the Tribe. Elijah Edwards tallied 12 for Beckley with Thaddaeus Jordan also adding 11.

Team Winston 16U bombed Team Synergy 79-52. Bombardier Cade Darr erupted for 6 3 pointers en route to a 22 point performance. Anthony Sellars helped out with 17 and teammate Daniel Fulp added 14 for the victors. Shawn Wilson posted a 25 point game for Synergy.

Team Loaded NC crushed the Greensboro Warriors 95-55. Cam Oates led the charge with 21 and Xavier Matthews chipped in 20 for Loaded. Markel Lloyd and Tristan LeXander added 18 and 15 respectively for the winners. Rashaad Williamson led the Warriors with 19.

WBC Elite outlasted Team Winston 17U 80-70. Jajuan Carr racked up 20 points and 9 assists, including the game finishing flush around 2 Winston defenders while Rashod Smith also scored 19 for the Elite. Winston was led by Zack Austin and his 23 points.' Jakob Moore also had 17 in a losing effort.

Team Loaded CVA 17U survived a furious rally by Main Event and slid away with a 77-74 OT win. Kapone Barley set the tone for CVA with 17 points and 8 rebounds with Jack Brestel helping out with 13 of his own for the winners. Salen “Energizer Bunny” Streater contributed 20 points and a handful of steals in a gallant effort for Main Event. Jai Rorie paced Main Event with 25 points, including a game-tying awkward leaning 3 pointer that sent the game into OT. This was an intense game that exhibited tremendous effort from both squads. Streeter refused to let his team die with his non-stop hustle and determination but Barley responded with a couple of big hoops down the stretch.

Boo Williams 17U Carolina downed Greater Beckley 74-66 in another hard-fought game that went down to the last minutes. Gary Williams chalked up 25 and Tyler Cox helped him out with 18 points for Carolina. Beckley was led by 18 from Jordan McInnis. PG Kaden Smallwood showed excellent leadership skills and almost pulled his team across the finish line but too many missed layups doomed Beckley.

SAD SAM’S “SERIOUS 6” FOR DAY 1

ELIJAH JAMISON – TEAM LOADED NC
TYLER YOUNG – N.L. DISCIPLES
JAMARIEN DALTON – TEAM FLY
DARLINSTONE DUBAR – CHARLOTTE ACES
JAJUAN CARR – WBC ELITE
CADE DARR – TEAM WINSTON

There you have it folks! Day 1 of the Summer Finale is in the books. The Great One will return with his Final summer recap of 2019 on Monday. Stay tuned!!!!!

SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS
Follow The Great One on Twitter @sadsamhoops