Game 1
Winston-Salem Christian 57
Liberty Heights 55
Quante Berry 6’4 2022 (Winston-Salem Christian)
Quante Berry was really good in last night’s win over Liberty Heights. Coming into the season, one would say he was better at the shooting guard position given his ability to make plays for himself. However, Coach Antonio Lowe has continued to help develop Berry into a point guard, and he has made tremendous strides in just a month. Berry controlled the tempo of the game. He is understanding when to make plays for himself and for his teammates. Although the official stat sheet only had him down for three assists, he made “right” basketball plays for his team. He made a living in the paint. He would make drop offs for teammates who would get fouled, or find open shooters on the perimeter. With the ball in his hands, he is best playing out of ball screens. He attacks with pace and keeps his head up. He is a smooth and efficient scorer, finishing with 17 points on 6-11 shooting from the field. He can really make shots off the bounce and his midrange pull-up jumper is as good as it gets. He can push in transition, stop on a dime, and knock down the 15-foot pull-up. He finished with 17 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. As the season progresses, Winston-Salem Christian is going to continue to get better and better, and it starts with the play of Quante Berry. He is coming into his own and finding rhythm at the point guard position.
Daniel Nixon 6’7 2021 (Winston-Salem Christian)
Daniel Nixon is another out-of-state transfer for this Winston-Salem Christian team. Nixon is a strong, physical wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He finished with an efficient 13 points, shooting 5-9 from the field and 2-3 from the three-point line. His size, strength and ball-handling abilities make him a difficult player to guard. Defenders have to respect his ability to knock down the perimeter shot, so they have to get up and guard him. And when they do, Nixon is able to create off the bounce and attack the basket. He uses his strong frame to keep defenders on his hip once he gets an edge on them. He also is able to take the contact and finish strong at the basket. His versatility on both ends of the floor played a huge help in Winston-Salem Christian’s win. On the defensive end, he provides size and strength on the perimeter, but can also guard in the post when switched onto a bigger defender. He rebounds well at the guard spot, finishing with 6 rebounds on the night. As the season progresses, expect Nixon to continue to improve and make big plays for his team.
Jordan Wildy 6’8 2021 (Winston-Salem Christian)
This game recap wouldn’t be complete without including Mr. Game Winner himself, Jordan Wildy. The Iona commit does so many things on the floor to help his team win. He is so versatile on both ends of the floor, given his length and athleticism. Defensively, he has the ability to guard multiple positions, block shots, and rebound at a high level. Offensively, he can stretch the floor well in pick and pop situations. He can face up and drive it from the perimeter, utilizing his quickness and athleticism. Wildy finished with 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, and the game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer off the bounce with a hand in his face.
Jonas Aidoo 7’0 2021 (Liberty Heights)
The Marquette commit was special again for Liberty Heights. Aidoo has blown up over the last 6 months and it’s easy to see why. Aidoo finished with a team-high 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He had an efficient night going 4-9 from the field and 8-11 from the foul line. In the post, he has the ability to finish with either hand, going over either shoulder with confidence and ease. He attacks the offensive glass for second chance opportunities. He finished with 7 offensive rebounds. Defensively, he uses his length very well to protect the rim. He may have only had three blocks, but he altered several more, making it very difficult for his opponents to score over him.
Elijah Jamison 6’3 2022 (Liberty Heights)
The Liberty Heights team goes as Jamison goes. He sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Jamison is a strong, paint touch point guard. He gets into the lane at ease and finishes well around the basket, whether going through contact or showing nice touch on his floaters. Jamison has continued to make strides since arriving at Liberty Heights as a floor general. He is taking care of the basketball and getting his teammates involved. Last night, he finished with 6 assists and 0 turnovers. That’s what you want from your point guard. Jamison is understanding what the correct reads are once he gets into the paint. He and teammate Jonas Aidoo play really well with one another, as Jamison finds Aidoo on drop-offs for dunks. Jamison finished with 8 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Game 2
AZ Compass Prep 59
Dorman 37
TyTy Washington 6’3 2021 (AZ Compass Prep)
TyTy Washington is a high-level point guard. Creighton is getting a floor general who has the ability to facilitate as well as make plays for himself. He sets the tone for this AZ Compass team. His unselfishness flows to the rest of the team, which can be seen as the entire team has bought into the concept of sharing the ball well with one another. Washington has a high IQ and knows how to run a team. He is a skilled passer, connecting on lob passes, drive and kicks, and he finished the game with a team-high five assists. In addition to his passing abilities, Washington finished with 13 points, showcasing his ability to create off the bounce and make tough shots. He hit one three-pointer that was extremely deep, as well as hitting a tough midrange off the bounce with a hand in his face in the second half. It will be fun watching him in the Big East over the next few years.
Javon Small 6’2 2021 (AZ Compass Prep)
The combo guard had an extremely efficient night scoring 13 points on 6-6 from the field. Small is an explosive guard who excels in open floor. He is a good on-ball defender and uses that to turn into offense for his team. He had two steals on the night. He attacks the basket with fearlessness, exploding up and finishing above the rim and through contact. Small had a big-time put-back dunk with the left hand in the second half. Small also finished with three assists and zero turnovers, showing he has the ability to make plays for others while taking care of the basketball.
Glenn Taylor Jr. 6’6 2021 (AZ Compass Prep)
Glenn Taylor Jr. is an athletic, versatile wing prospect who does an excellent job of attacking the rim in transition. He utilizes his strength and athleticism and is able to finish through contact. He finished with a team-high six rebounds. Although he didn’t take any perimeter jumpers in last night’s game, he is known to be able to knock down the catch and shoot perimeter shot. Defensively, he has the ability to guard multiple positions given his size and athleticism.
Noah Clowney 6’9 2022 (Dorman)
Clowney is a high major forward prospect with offers from Virginia Tech, Xavier and USC Upstate. He finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. He mix of size, length, and athleticism is special. He is very active and mobile. He runs the floor really well, finishes strong at the rim, and has nice touch around the basket. He also has the ability to knock down the midrange jumper. Defensively, he excels. He is so versatile. He moves well when switched on guards along the perimeter, guards ball screens, and protects the basket.
Game 3
Trinity Christian 53
Gray Collegiate 49
Freddie Dilione 6’5 2022 (Trinity Christian)
Dilione was spectacular in Friday night’s win over Gray Collegiate. All summer, I remember watching this kid and thinking, “How in the world does he not yet have any offers'” It wasn’t until October when he picked up his first offers from EKU and FIU. And most recently in November, he earned his first Power Five offer from Penn State. Dilione has all the makings of a high major guard and his recruitment will soon follow suit. Dilione finished with a double-double of 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. He is a smooth, athletic guard who can handle it, pass it, and shoot it at a high level. He is an efficient scorer and shooter from the perimeter going 3-5 from three-point range, knocking down shots off the catch and the bounce. He can create off the bounce, use his explosiveness and finish above the rim. For such a gifted offensive player, he stays engaged on the defensive end. He rebounds the ball really well for a guard and isn’t afraid to get in there and battle for rebounds. He also utilizes his length well along the perimeter to contest shots. He had the game-winning block as Gray Collegiate was trying to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining. Simply put, Dilione comes up with winning plays at the right time.
Cam Oates 5’10 2022 (Trinity Christian)
Oates is a tough, scrappy guard who finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds. He makes a living getting into the paint. He is able to finish with a variety of crafty finishes at the basket or floaters in the paint. He sets the tone on the defensive end with his pressure on the ball. Oates
Jamori McDougald 5’11 2022 (Trinity Christian)
McDougald is another small guard for Trinity who provided another scoring option and came up with big time plays throughout the game. McDougald finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds. He was able to get into the paint and create scoring opportunities for himself and for teammates. He also made critical free throws down the stretch, knocking down five free throws in the last 1:14 of the game.
Timothy Barnes 6’3 2021 (Gray Collegiate)
Timothy Barnes was electric for Gray Collegiate last night, leading them in scoring with 19 points and also finishing with 8 rebounds. He continued to make big shots throughout the game. When Gray Collegiate was struggling offensively in the first half, Barnes made plays to keep them within striking distance. In the second half, his scoring help propel them to take the lead in the fourth quarter. He attacks the basket with explosiveness and doesn’t shy away from contact. In the first half, he had an incredible dunk against contact where he was on the left wing, drove it left, and finish over a Trinity Christian player. In addition to getting to the basket and drawing fouls, he got to his spots in the midrange where he made multiple pull-up jumpers.
Brandon Gardner 6’7 2023 (Gray Collegiate)
Brandon Gardner is a nationally known prospect in the 2023 class, and it is easy to see why. The 6’7 forward has the size, athleticism and motor that will help him become a high-level player. Gardner finished the game with a double-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks. Defensively, he protects the rim at a high level. He had one play in the third quarter that helped fuel the Gray Collegiate comeback when he blocked a shot at the rim, which ultimately led to a transition basket for his team. He attacks the glass every single possession. Of his 10 rebounds, 5 of those were on the offensive end and he would put the ball back up and in.