Holly Springs – 98
Heritage – 57
Coaches from UVa, UNC-Wilmington and Hampden Sydney were in the Stands…
It was a masterful game plan from the Holly Springs sidelines with Coach LJ Hepp having his team pound the ball inside. Working with a pair of high major bigs working the high low really opened everything up in the second half. Kadin Shedrick and Kaleb Scott have a great chemistry, and a very unselfish relationship on the floor as both can really excel in the high or low post.
Marcus Elliott had another stellar game for Holly Springs as he was the catalyst who dictated everything that happened, on both ends of the floor. It is astonishing to hear he doesn’t have any D1s regularly calling on him. That will change soon.
For Heritage, they are a good team. A team who should at least make the second round of the state playoffs. It just so happens that two of their first three games are against two of the very best teams in the state (Millbrook and Holly Springs). Head Coach Tilden Brill has his guys playing very hard and they were running some good stuff on offense. Sophomore Red Dunton will be the best player on most floors he walks on. Dyson Pender and Trey Waller also had some good moments in this one.
Heritage lost two four-year starters who will be on scholarship at East Carolina and VCU. There will be a learning curve here, but they are extremely well coached and have a lot of talent. What Heritage is in February is not what they are now and they will be a team who is capable of making a run, depending on matchups.
Now on to The Players
Holly Springs
6’7″ 2020 Kaleb Scott
Stats: 29 Points, 7 Boards, 3 Assists
Scott was about as dominant as you can be. He scored the ball at an incredibly efficient level from all over the floor. He is very strong and has great length/strength on the block. He scored with his back to the basket, over both shoulders with touch and great footwork. He went 2-3 from the 3-point line and he shot the ball well from the free throw line. Expect his recruitment to BLOW UP soon as he has the look of a Top 150 type prospect.
6’11” 2019 Kadin Shedrick (UVa Commit)
Stats: 21 Points, 10 Boards, 6 Blocks, 3 Assists
Shedrick is a star in the making, it is that simple. He has natural translatable skills that will have him be an early contributor at Virginia. He is a quick leaper and a very good rebounder. He has natural shot blocker with incredible length and timing. Shedrick has a world of upside and should be considered a Top 50 prospect in the country.
6′ 2020 Marcus Elliott
Stats: 11 Points, 9 Assists, 7 Boards, 6 Steals
Elliott showed he could completely dominate a game without really scoring the ball. Of course on Tuesday he showed he can dominate a game, while scoring the ball. Elliott finished this game 3-4 from the 3-point line, after going 5-6 on Tuesday. He has a pure, left handed stroke and the ball on a string handle. He has excellent vision and is a scrappy rebounder. A winner who should see a major recruitment boost with D1s coming at him.
Also of Note: 6′ Hampden Sydney commit Garrett Phillips finished with 11 points while 6’3″ NC State baseball commit Matt Willisden had 12 points.
Heritage
6’6″ 2021 Redford Dunton
Stats: 25 Points, 6 Boards, 3 Assists, 3 Steals
Dunton’s basketball IQ is simply at another level. The length and explosive wing knows his spots on the floor and uses and assortment of cuts and movements to get to them. He is has a high release, that is a bit beside/behind his head, but it is very hard to block. Dunton can get out in transition and finish high above the rim as well. He is a very instinctual defender and sees the court well. He is all around someone who should have all the regional D1s in to see him.