On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Wesleyan Christian in High Point, North Carolina for a quality matchup with the visiting Knights of NRCA. Both teams have gone through an up-and-down schedule to start their early season, making it a pretty evenly matched battle for either side. Although NRCA was without one of their main pieces in Jacob Hukins, their unselfish game plan and capable collection of teammates should still find success. That said, Wesleyan also has injuries within their roster. 

The Trojans of Wesleyan jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead but finished the quarter with a slight 15-11 advantage. They continued to pound the ball inside throughout the second period and extended their lead as a direct result, still harnessing a 40-21 edge at the break. The second half was more of the same, as Wesleyan continued to utilize their bench, spread the ball offensively, and convert from all levels. Players like Alex McGee (9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) and Christian Little (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals) found ways to make an impact within the flow of the action while J3 Swindell (11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) continued to solidify his status as a glue-guy for this group. Although the fourth quarter battle was somewhat close, Wesleyan held onto their strong lead until the final buzzer and claimed a 68-40 victory over NRCA.

Wesleyan Christian:

6'9 '22 Luke Grace

The chain of events is quite simple: Grace is big and NRCA couldn't match his interior size, which allowed him to get whatever he wanted around the basket. He towered over every opposing defender, displayed touch with either hand, and scored with excellent efficiency. Grace has a sturdy frame and plays very hard, often outworking and overwhelming his assignment. He pursues rebounds, runs the floor with purpose, and embraces his identity as a pretty traditional big man. Final stats: 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal.  

6'2 '21 Kade Darr

Through most of the early season, Darr has operated as one of the main pieces for this group. His perimeter shooting and spot-up ability is well-documented, but he continues to highlight gradual strides as a playmaker and off-the-bounce threat. Darr is a useful secondary creator with a reliable jumper and the ability to attack closeouts as needed. He provides solid defensive understanding and competes for extra possessions. Final stats: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.

6'5 '21 Isaiah Ray

While his numbers don't necessarily reflect it, Ray was arguably the best player on the floor for multiple stretches in this contest. He shines defensively, actively switching across the entire lineup and highlighting his impressive versatility. Not only does he shut down opponents, but he also does a great job of accumulating deflections and forcing turnovers. As a primary creator, Ray consistently looks to make the smart play rather than the selfish one. He's great at attacking downhill and setting up others, but can also hit jumpers at a nice clip. Final stats: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. 

NRCA:

6'4 '21 Ayinde Taylor
With Hukins sidelined, Taylor was forced to assume an even bigger role than usual. Despite some struggles, he has the makings of a college-level player. He's big, strong, physical, and is capable of doing the little things on either end of the floor. Taylor displayed athleticism and seems to be steadily developing his perimeter skillset. Final stats: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.