Bull City Prep’s Recruitable Core
After seeing them at our George Lynch and then getting another viewing opportunity this past weekend, there’s a lot to like about Bull City Prep. Although they have a variety of meaningful contributors, everything ultimately comes down to their group of Tyrin Graham, Viktor Alao, Ryan Chen, Stephano Farrington, and Kamal Brantley. Graham is a balanced floor general who can really fill it up from all levels. He’s a lethal shooter with range, vision, and the ability to apply constant pressure–both off the catch and bounce. Alao is another absolute bucket-getter who defends, rebounds, and naturally fills in the gaps on both ends of the floor. He plays with a silent demeanor and consistently produces. Chen is a pure sniper who has visibly expanded his general skillset. He’s clearly at his best when hitting jumpers from beyond the arc, but can also attack off the bounce, set up others, and make his presence felt defensively. Farrington is arguably as important as anyone on the roster due to his rebounding and rim-protection. He’s a long, explosive big man who blocks shots, controls the glass, and lurks for every potential finishing opportunity. Rounding out this group, Brantley consistently operates as a connector and glue-guy who impacts all facets of the game. College coaches should be recruiting this roster.
Yearly Contender: Rob Salter and Greenfield
Easily one of North Carolina’s best coaches and programs, Rob Salter and Greenfield School seem ready to contend for yet another state championship. It goes without saying, but Kobe Edwards is the clearly defined leader for the Knights. Whether rebounding, playmaking, or scoring in a multitude of ways, Edwards sets the tone as a focal point. He touches the paint seemingly at will, where he’s able to finish, get to the line, or make smart passes. Edwards also possesses explosiveness and defensive instincts. Unlike the majority of teams, every player on the Knights can provide useful minutes. Between Johnny Winborne, Isaiah Thomas, Drew Lucas, Simon Quinn, Noah Wright, Brycen Dubose, and the freshman duo of Braxten Dubose and Cameron Moore, there’s a lot to like with this roster. With only one senior on the roster (Quinn), expect this team to be firmly in the mix over these next two years.
Fayetteville Academy Dominates
It doesn’t take much analysis to recognize Fayetteville Academy’s dominance in their matchup against South View. Their overall roster has a lot to like. The senior pairing of Isaac Tatum and Brady Barnes burden a heavy offensive load for this group. Tatum is a dynamic guard with IQ, vision, scoring polish, and defensive instincts. He regularly sets the tone, both by example and through his production, and leads in an unselfish manner. Barnes is a well-rounded wing with size, shooting, and ability off the bounce. Although he scored with relative ease, he consistently shined through his defense, playmaking, and general understanding of how to make plays within the flow of the action. That being said, the three juniors of Kingston Carlsen, Aziz Al-Jurhanni, and Nicholas Cooreman bring a ton to the table. Carlsen is a balanced guard who can play with or without the ball, score from all levels, and pose a playmaking threat. Not only is he a complementary piece who adapts well, but he also displays the ability to take over as needed. Al-Jurhanni is a tough, gritty guard who reliably creates for others, scores when necessary, and sets the tone as a defender at the point of attack. He’s also an explosive, crafty finisher who makes plays with consistency. Rounding out this group, Cooreman is a quality shooter who spaces the floor and knocks down jumpers at a high percentage. Ultimately, the Eagles should be a problematic matchup for opponents this season.
Jackson Keith, AJ Morman Lead Strong Southern Durham Squad
There are so many potential contenders in the public-school ranks, and Southern Durham is certainly among the teams worth noting. Between their coaching, depth, and sheer talent, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where this group doesn’t compete for a championship. Outside of their special freshman, AJ Morman, this roster is loaded with battle-tested veterans. Naturally, Jackson Keith is the star and undisputed leader of this group. He showcased the full arsenal on Saturday and should have Butler fans extremely excited for his pending arrival. However, there are plenty of other pieces worth noting. Guys like Kejon Hughes, Devin Perkins, Dwight Vincent, Zaquan Bowling, and Jai’den Davis each provide quality minutes for the Spartans. This is a highly competitive, recruitable group who should continue to turn heads throughout the high school season.