SC PHENOM 150 EVENT RECAPS

The Expansion of the Carolina Riptide

Just four years ago, Grant Hodges, Greg Forest, and seven kids from the greater Lake Norman area came together to form the Carolina Riptide. Despite some roster changes over the years, the core grouping of Clay 'Smoke' Hodges, Trace Forest, Christian Taylor, and Callahan Reed have remained firmly intact since first forming. Thereafter, the Riptide players could be seen attending various camps...

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Open Gym Report: Lake Norman High School

Not many teams across the state practiced at 8:00 a.m. on New Year's Day, let alone really attacked the day and improved. One team did. Lake Norman High School.  One of my biggest pet peeves that I look for when I attend a practice, is whether or not the players arrive early to get in extra shots and are actually in a sweat ready to go at the actual start of practice. If practice starts at...

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Open Gym Report: Lake Norman Guys

On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Lake Norman High School for an open gym tour dual feature, capitalizing on the opportunity to evaluate both (boys and girls) varsity squads. Most of the boys' team consisted of familiar faces, including numerous guys we've seen throughout the summer. In just one season, Coach Hodges has already done a great job of establishing his culture within the...

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Evening Standouts at Day One of Phenom Queen City Showcase

6'0 '21 Khalil Brantley (Mint Hill Lakers) There should be no disputing the notion that Brantley was the most utterly dominant performer from this contest. He's a compact guard with quickness, craftiness, and the ability to generate shots (and convert) from anywhere on the floor. Brantley gets downhill whenever he wants, displays great athleticism, and makes a ton of plays in transition. ...

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Summer Havoc Final Thoughts

It’s that time of the year and July is here once again, it’s the busiest time In the Travel Ball scene, the Live Period!Fort Mill, South Carolina- With Summer Havoc wrapped up, we officially have one travel ball showcase remaining on the Phenom Hoops schedule. Summer Havoc was four days of non stop hardwood action, dozens of offers were earned, and a number of prospects drove their...

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A Closer Look: Carolina Riptide

At Phenom Hoops, we've seen a considerable amount of programs come through our doors, but none that represent the team concept better than the Carolina Riptide. For starters, this group has been together throughout the entire process and possesses chemistry that other teams simply can't match. It all starts with their fiery head coach, Grant Hodges, who has proven to be one of the modest, yet...

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Brandon's Big Time Ballers Pt III #PhenomSummerHavoc

It’s that time of the year and July is here once again, it’s the busiest time In the Travel Ball scene, the Live Period!Fort Mill, South Carolina- We’ve reached the fourth day of Summer Havoc, there have been offers earned and attention grabbed so far. Teams have competed hard for three days and now we’ve arrived at the home stretch, all these prospects and coaches will...

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Evening Standouts at Phenom David Rose MDC

Carolina Riptide 6'2 '21 Christian Taylor- The undersized big man was among the most productive hustle players for this Riptide team. He's willing and ready to take whatever role his team needs and maximizes it. Taylor doesn't require offensive touches to make an impact and does a phenomenal job of outworking opponents for rebounds on both ends of the floor.   RDC Lakers 6'3 '21 Po'Boigh...

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#PhenomStayPositive: 16U Gold Championship Game Recap (Carolina Riptide Vs NC Ice)

On Sunday The Carolina Riptide got the better of the NC Ice in the Phenom Stay Positive 16U Gold Championship game in an 80-67 victory that provided an opportunity for both teams to showcase their talents in a major way.' The game was really close for the majority of the first half with both teams neck and neck throughout the first half.' As the 2nd half got going 5’10 2021 Clay Hodges and...

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#PhenomCP3 Morning/Early Afternoon Standouts

We got a lot of the young guys over at Proehlific Park today! Chris Sause, Kedrick Flomo, Myself, and many others will be bringing you all of the action from over here today!  Let’s take a look at some of the top performers! 5’9 2021 Clay Hodges: Carolina Riptide/Lake Norman Hodges is such a consistent performer for this Carolina Riptide group in the way he sets the tone with...

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#PhenomSummerGrind Morning Standout’s

It’s kind of a weird, yet awesome event we have going on in Greensboro today, a mix of High School and AAU teams came to compete to either close out their team camp schedule or get themselves back in that groove before the live period.' Let’s take a look at some of the top performers from the morning games. 5’10 2022 Cam Oates: CP3 14U Oates is one of the up and comers in the...

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