Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the 4th-of-July-ing piedmont! The Great One is here to recap an exciting Day 1 on Nation Ford court 4 of the Phenom Champion Showcase AAU event. The action today was intense complete with tempers flaring, a buzzer beating game winning shot and a game that featured 20 made 3 pointers. It was just another day at the office on what has become a wild court this summer. Lets get to the game recaps…..

The Sharpshooters used a furious 2nd half rally to down Team Vision 73-68. Shyheed Williams scored most of his 19 points in the 2nd frame and was helped out by 16 from Davonte Patterson and 12 from Deangelo Patterson for the Marksmen. Kavon Horton and Solomon Todd led Vision with 17 and 16 points respectively.

CEBA 2020 Massey downed the Upward Stars Columbia Moore team 67-40. CEBA built a 15 point halftime lead behind 11 from Jasper Ludington and 9 from Jesse Walters. Ludington finished with 19 and Walters ended up with 17 himself. Jalen Robinson and Emmanuel Hughes each tallied 8 for Columbia.

The air raid sirens were blaring as 17U Team Xplosion used 15 3 point bombs to coast over the NC Spartans West squad 89-44. 6’2 2020 Bradley Dean led the way with 19 points, all in the 1st half and 6’6 2020 Jake Matherne added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Isiah McCamis was playing his 1st game after rehabbing his ACL and put up 11 points. The pride of West Stokes, Elan Muniz, was the bright spot as he knocked down 5 3s of his own to lead the Spartans with 16. Xplosion is a very impressive outfit and The Incredible One was VERY impressed with their ball movement, chemistry and discipline.

In the Battle of Los Lobos, the 17U Atlanta Timberwolves claimed Alpha status over the Carolina Wolves 91-77. Atlanta’s 6’2 2020 Jake Kostel had an excellent floor game and posted 20 points and fellow T-wolf 6’7 2020 Nate Dunlop added 18 points and 9 boards in a very versatile showing for him. Cincere Scott dropped in 27 points, mostly from long range and LJ Johnson chipped in 17 for Carolina.

Team Xplosion 17U took out Team Stacked 75-64. Bradley Dean collected 23 points and Jake Matherne nabbed 17 points and 8 boards for the winners. Brandon Spruill held up the Stacked banner with 12 and teammate Aaron Ross helped with 11.

Team Winston 16U beat Team Synergy 86-72. Ty Leach and Camian Shell led Winston with 17 each. Cam Cormany jump-started Winston in the 1st half with 15 of his own. Synergy was paced by Amarion Turner’s 20 and LJ Johnson tried to help with 17. Cam Gates also scored 11 on a losing effort.

The game of the day saw the NC Spartans West use a buzzer-beating, cold-blooded 3 pointer from Carson Lomax to cap a 2nd half rally and stun Team Stacked in OT, 86-85. Elan Muniz led the Spartan effort with 26 and Lomax put up 23, as well including 2 3s in OT. Isaac Sinclair led Stacked with 22 and got help from Brandon Spruill and Dedric Powell who tallied 14 apiece.

In a 15U tilt, Team Loaded rolled Upward Stars Riverfront 62-47. James Pierce and Travis Horne each scored 12 to pace Loaded. Davion Cunningham also registered 7 assists for the victors. Kameron Williamson scored 14 to aid the Upward cause.

In the last game, 16U Team Xplosion sailed past the Upward Stars 66-52 behind Cade Looney’s 19 points and 11 boards. Grayson Honaker posted 16 points and Nick Owens also donated 14 to the cause. This was yet another well coached selfless team that shoots the ball well.

The Serious 6 that stood out to The Sadster on Court 4 were…..

1. Bradley Dean – Team Xplosion
2. Cincere Scott – Carolina Wolves
3. Nate Dunlop – Atlanta Timberwolves
4. Jake Matherne – Team Xplosion
5. Isaac Sinclair – Team Stacked
6. Elan Muniz – NC Spartans West

There you have it folks! The Great One will return tomorrow evening to wrap up his final day coverage of the Phenom Champion Showcase in Fort Mill. Get to one of the gyms and watch some quality travel ball being played. Stay tuned!!!!!

SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS