On Friday, Phenom Hoops traveled to Ben L. Smith High School to see the Golden Eagles host the Dudley Panthers for the final game of the regular season. These two programs share a phenomenal distaste for each other and have earned the reputation of 'best rivalry in Greensboro' over the last few decades. The Golden Eagles were without their star in Silas Mason, but they showed no fear and looked ready to battle. Meanwhile, Dudley has gone through most of the season by utilizing their depth and consistently working to get everyone involved. Our expectations were high, but this contest and overall atmosphere certainly delivered an entertaining contest from start to finish.
This game was immediately competitive from the opening tip and only got more intense as time carried on. Both teams struggled to score during the early minutes, as the defensive pressure and nonstop grit was evident for both squads. Smith exited the first quarter with a five-point lead. However, Dudley quickly turned things around behind the excellent all-around scoring display from Isaiah Staton-Ray, who was a massive part in the Panthers mounting an unbelievable 23-7 run and walking into halftime with a ten-point lead. The second half was more of the same, but Dudley placed a stronger emphasis to get everyone involved on offense, ultimately winning 60-45 over the Golden Eagles.
Dudley:
6'5 '20 Isaiah Stanton-Ray
The wing prospect was arguably the most impressive all-around performer for either team, especially in the first half, where he was downright unstoppable. Stanton-Ray was able to create effortlessly off the bounce and scored in a variety of different ways. He showed the ability to spot-up, pull-up, and finish strong with either hand on penetration opportunities. Stanton-Ray displayed excellent offensive feel and poise, which allowed Dudley to establish their lead during the second quarter. Final stats: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
6'5 '19 Cameron Thomas
The forward prospect didn't necessarily look to score a ton throughout this contest, but placed plenty of emphasis on the other facets of the game. Thomas possesses nice size and offered a quality inside-out defensive presence from start to finish. Final stats: 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Smith:
5'10 '20 Khalid Hines
The scrappy point guard was probably the Golden Eagle's most reliable two-way performer, as he was able to score as needed and consistently initiate offense. Hines works hard on defense and rebounds pretty well for his size. He reads the floor effectively and looks to make plays for teammates whenever possible. Final stats: 12 points and 4 rebounds.
6'8 '20 Nic McMullen
With Silas Mason out, McMullen was their main focal point on offense and worked extremely hard inside the paint. He plays with a ton of aggression and simply refuses to back down from any assignment or matchup. The lefty post prospect utilized his athleticism well and looked to make any possible hustle plays throughout this contest. Final stats: 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.