Storylines from the Phenom High School Jamboree Session 1

What a way to kickstart the 2019-20 basketball season. Approximately 45 teams travelled to Greensboro to play in the Phenom Annual High School Jamboree played at Proehlific Park and Ben L. Smith High School. To say the event was a success would be a huge understatement. We had some of the top ranked teams in the state, nationally ranked players, teams wanting to make a statement, and others just wanting to use this opportunity as a tune-up for the season. Whatever the case, the games at Proehlific Park were intense and the atmosphere was electric. Now, let's take a look at some of the key storylines from the event.

Concord First Assembly is really good!

Last season, Concord First Assembly finished with a 27-6 record and loss in the semi-finals of the NCISAA state championship. They return the majority of this roster featuring 6'9 Garrett Hein (Furman), 6'8 Cheick Traore (Youngstown State), 6'3 junior Trae Benham, 5'11 senior Isaac Boothe, 5'9 senior Lloyd Latta, along with newcomers 6'4 senior Ambaka LeGregam (Presbyterian College), 6'5 junior Tyler Fearne, and 6'8 junior Jakub Cieminski. Coach Frank Cantadore has plenty of balance and depth and it was on full display in the three scrimmage games on Saturday. In two of the games, CFA had 10 players to score and in the last game of the day, nine players got etched in the scoring column. They are extremely well coached and offer a nice blend of scoring from the paint and the perimeter. Concord First Assembly will be tested early by playing in the Carmel Christian Tip Off Classic against Moravian Prep, who many thinks are the most talented team in the state. 

Moravian Prep defense will create their offense

There's no question Moravian Prep has a 'boatload' of talent. They feature Five Star Josh Hall, 6'0 point guard Shakeel Moore, 6'10 Jarzavia Belton, 6'8 Luke Davis, 6'5 Amari Haynie, 6'4 Darrius Davis, 6'3 Jamarhi Harvey and a host of others. Playing, what looked like a 2-2-1 full court defensive alignment, the guard tantum of Shakeel Moore and Darrius Davis created havoc on opposing teams the entire day. And to take it a step further, there may not be a better 1-2 defensive guard duo than Moore and Davis. Moravian Prep is super athletic and this team is built to get out and run. Pressure defense will be their calling card this season. They have an extremely difficult schedule and when the offense gets stagnant or the shots aren't falling, look for their defense to carry them through. 

Looking for respect

Henderson Collegiate is a small 1A charter school in the NCHSAA, located in rural Henderson, North Carolina. The school is only in its third season of varsity basketball. Last year, they played for the NCHSAA 1A state championship before losing a heartbreaking one-point game to Bishop McGuiness.  They return their nucleus and under the leadership of head coach George Marshall, has embraced the mentality of playing the toughest schedule possible. Marshall uses the challenge to push the envelope for his players, preparing them for a potential state play-off run. Henderson Collegiate plays an aggressive brand of basketball, where defensive pressure is the norm and each player actually tries to win each and every possession, not to mention they play with their proverbial 'chip on their shoulder.'  Prediction: NCHSAA 1A Champion

Watch out for Piedmont Classical

One team that seems to be left out in the conversation as one of the upper tier teams in the state is Piedmont Classical. Let's go on record to give everyone a heads up. This team is tough as nails. They battle, they compete, and will not give up without giving a fight. Led by 6'0 super arduous Jamari Thomas will lead the way. Thomas is a fierce competitor and hates to lose and his tremendous heart will help upset more than their fair share of teams this season. Piedmont showed a lot of passion playing against a very big, physical and athletic Quality Education team. While they may have been a tad overmatched in terms of size, Piedmont Classical proved it can compete in a major way with their heart and determination. Don't count them out!'

Please don't sleep on Independence

Coach Preston Davis is one of the state's most undervalued coach. Year in, year out, Independence is in the title hunt. Last year, Independence went 22-7 and two years ago they went 31-1 and won the state NCHSAA 4A championship. After losing four players that are playing collegiately, Matthew Smith (Murray State), Tyler Smith (Western Carolina), AJ McKee (Queens) and Raja Milton (Louisburg), many people have put this year's team in the 'rebuilding category. People saying that may want to have second thoughts. At the Phenom High School Jamboree, Independence looked very impressive in the three games. 6'7 junior Omarion Bodrick is the ultimate rim protector and can single handedly change the outcome of a game without scoring one single point. Add 6'0 lightning quick scoring guard Anthony Allen and 6'5 senior Nygell Verdier and you have a team that will make plenty of noise in the upcoming season. 

Future looks bright

Vance has two of the top freshmen guards in the state with 5'11 Jaylen Curry and 5'10 Trey Green, not to mention 6'7 sophomore Daniel Sanford. Curry is simply electric in the open court; he has tremendous ball handling skills and advanced passing skills off the dribble. In addition, he is a lethal scorer and can knock down long distance 3-pointers with consistency. His backcourt mate, Trey Green is also a reliable and accurate 3-point shooter. Both are quick, athletic, and highly skilled. Daniel Sanford is a strong and physical presence in the post. Sporting a 7'2 wingspan, Sanford will provide a low post scoring presence which will enable Vance to have a very balanced scoring attack.