Combine Academy Became Nationally Relevant
Of course, when you beat Oak Hill, the nation takes notice. However, when you beat Oak Hill on Friday and then follow that up on Saturday with an absolute beat down of a team who is favored, pre-season, to win a state championship, that is serious. This is the first year Combine Academy has had a varsity basketball program. The school hired 12 year NBA guy Jeff McInnis to run the program and he brought in a full staff and a slew of talent. Led by Top 25 2022 prospect Jalen Hood Schifino, it was a breakout weekend for 6’1” 2021 Kris Robinson who set the crowd on fire going 8-11 from 3 against Oak Hill. When you add in nationally ranked 2023 prospect 6’ Robert Dillingham and 6’8” Mekhi Grant, this team has plenty of star power (albeit young). But it was the emergence of the likes of Robinson or 6’9” 2021 Jacori Owens and 6’7” 2021 Ja’Mylan Blakeney that really carried this team.
Oh yeah, sure the talent is high level, but the coaching is also high level. This makes sense as Jeff McInnis spent 12 years in the NBA, but he also cut his teeth playing for two of the greatest in Steve Smith and Dean Smith, both Hall of Famers. McInnis has taken his dogged playing mentality and instilled it into all of his players, but he has also taken on the incredible knowledge of his coaches, and caused his kids to buy-in. No one on this roster is greater than the other, they play for the name on the front of their jerseys and McInnis is on the sidelines calling a great game. This year will be fun for them, they play nationally ranked ISA Academy, Moravian Prep and Huntington Prep in the upcoming weeks, but anyone, anywhere, anytime, gets you nationally relevant … Welcome to the Goat Life.
Henderson Collegiate Continues to Make a Name
Henderson Collegiate opened eyes last weekend, at Phenom’s High School Jamboree, as they beat Top 25 ranked Greensboro Day in a running clock scrimmage (need to note here GDS was without Carson McCorkle that game). Henderson Collegiate showed up to play a loaded up Moravian Prep team. However, the team stayed true to their game plan and they believed. Henderson Collegiate started this season ranked as the #3 public school in North Carolina, they made it to the NCHSAA 1A state championship game last year, after finishing 31-3 overall, the best individual season in school history. They return everyone from that team this season. Every college coach in the stands was asking about 2021 point guard Javonte Waverly after his 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assist performance against Moravian Prep. Kalib Matthews, who has committed to Queens, went for 16 points on 43% from 3 and added 4 boards and 4 assists. A quick look at 6’3” 2021 Nick Green shows you he was 5-7 from 3 in this game to go with his 6 rebounds and 2 steals. They also have the likes of AK Holden, JaQuaveon Venable, and Davon Allen who all play great minutes.
A lot of expectations were put on this team coming into the season, while their record may not reflect the amount of talent on the roster or the coaching on the sideline, every single person in attendance on Saturday (including Moravian Prep) will tell you, this is a very good team.
Cam Thomas Scores the Basketball Like No One We’ve Seen in the Past Decade
Watching Cam Thomas play, you are just in awe of what he is able to do. You almost feel like every time he touches the ball he is going to score, some way. However, what makes it so fun to watch is that it isn’t like many others. He doesn’t have an incredible size or the jaw-dropping athleticism or the strength to power through his man, he does it with skill and IQ. Almost like Lou Williams did 15 years ago at South Gwinnett High School, Thomas is all about the dribble, the pace, the footwork of his offensive game. He has the full arsenal of floaters, step-backs, offhand/funny foot finishes, and the deep range. Once he gets going, you can only sit back and watch, but you certainly sit back and you see something special. He finished with 32 points on 3 made 3s, but he left his mark on Charlotte because everyone in the stands saw the saw … a show that when given the opportunity, you need to make it out and watch.
Jaden Bradley is the Countries Top Point Guard in 2022
This is not something he did during this event, as he came in with this reputation, however, when you have 20 or so high major schools sitting along with the Director of Team USA basketball watching your games, these types of accolades tend to happen. Playing against the home team, Carmel Christian, Bradley took over the game in all facets, finishing with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. The stat line carries itself across the board, as a throwback type of point guard, who gets everyone involved but also can go out and get his points. Bradley is blessed with excellent size and length, which pairs well with his athleticism and high basketball IQ. Bradley is in a unique spot, in that his reputation is greater around the country, with the blue blood schools and national analysts, than it is in his local communities, however, make no mistakes about it, Bradley is an elite level prospect and as good as his top 10 rankings suggest.
Josh Hall Muddies the Debate for Top Prospect in North Carolina’s 2020 Class
For the past two years, there has been a consensus thought that Isaiah Todd was the top player in the class. Rightfully so, with all the major attributes Todd brings, the Michigan commitment is a Top 10 player in the country for very apparent reasons. However, the ascension of Moravian Prep’s Josh Hall over the past year is creating heavy discussion around this thought process. At this time last year, Hall was unranked, now he is a consensus Top 50 prospect across the board, being ranked as high as #25 by Rivals.com. Having watched Hall this weekend, it’s obvious Hall has continued to get even better since this AAU season. He is stronger and taller, however, most of all he is playing with all the confidence in the world. You look at Hall and he is tough to cover at this stage, because of his size, athleticism and skill set, just like Todd. During the big moments of the games this weekend, during the fourth quarter when these good programs were making runs, it was Hall who demanded the ball and then went out to make a play. He rebounded, he defended, he attacked the basket (through contact) and overall played like a 5-star.
Todd is probably still considered the top prospect, however looking at the situation current day, that statement is far from clear cut.