Phenom Hoops is back again for another fantastic closing of the high school season, as the Top 10 Non-Association teams all come together in hopes of being crowned a champion! The Phenom HoopState Championship is back once again, as we head to Lincolnton March 15-18 in hopes of seeing some incredible matchups and crowning a state champion! Here are a few storylines to watch out for.
New Names looking for same results at Combine Academy
Last year, it was Combine Academy that defeated Liberty Heights in what was a classic to take home the Phenom HoopState Championship. Now, first-year head coach Mike Wright is hoping to continue that trend for Combine in their own backyard. Combine Academy comes in as the No. 2 seed, and certainly has the talent to secure another championship. 2023 Silas Demary Jr., 2024 Trentyn Flowers, 2024 Rakease Passmore, and so many others look to finish out the season with a championship and keep the trophy in Lincolnton.
2024 Trentyn Flowers making his announcement
Not only will there be tremendous matchups all throughout the event, but fans all around should be tuned in as one of the top prospects in the state and country will be making his announcement. 2024 Trentyn Flowers, ranked as a Top-30 prospect by national outlets, will ultimately decide where he will be going to college, with Alabama, Arkansas, Creighton, Kansas, Louisville, and North Carolina all making his final list. He will be making his announcement on March 17th.
Winston Salem Christian coming in as top seed
Coach Antonio Lowe and Winston Salem Christian have certainly proven and earned their spot this year, not backing down from anyone and earning some impressive victories all throughout the season. This is a team that is loaded with D1 talent; they have dynamic playmaking guards, versatile bigs that make their presence felt, and depth. They finally earned recognition nationally, and they would love nothing more than to take home a championship back to Winston-Salem.
New-Look Word of God coming in to make noise
Look out at the No. 3 seed Word of God, as the roster looks a little different since the last time we saw them at The John Wall. There are still names on the roster that we know of like Zion Collins, Isaiah Coleman, Mekhi Grant, Mayar Wol, and others, but Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn and Jayden Quaintance are two big-time players that have certainly made a name for themselves so far with the program. They would love nothing more than to shake things up, and they have the talent to do so.
Teams looking to make a statement
Outside of the Top 3 teams, there are plenty of other teams that should have your attention. 1of1 Academy has young talent that have shown they can compete against anyone, as they have the talent to make a run. Piedmont Classical has racked up over 30 wins this season, NC GBB has intriguing talent to be found that could make plenty of noise, and teams like QEA, New Life Christian, WS Christian Regional, and Combine Regional would love nothing more than to finish the season off in big fashion.
