This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to Greensboro Day School in the heart of Greensboro, North Carolina, for our Freddy Johnson Showcase. This event brings us back to the famous Dillard Gymnasium, where we’ve hosted a ton of noteworthy games throughout the years. Saturday was no different. There were multiple highly entertaining contests (including one of the best matchups of the year) and plenty of storylines worth examining. Let’s take a closer look…
It should be common knowledge that Owen Calvert is the clear, undisputed tone-setter of this group. He completely controls the offensive action as the main creator for himself and others. Calvert provides a very polished, fiery leadership presence. He’s a terrific three-level scorer who can fill it up in a variety of different ways. Calvert has no problem taking what the defense is giving him, as every spot on the floor is a viable scoring avenue for him, but is more than capable of getting whatever he wants. He possesses deep range with a crafty handle and the ability to pick his spots off the bounce. Although he regularly fills it up as a scorer, Calvert is a very strong playmaker who sees the floor well and sets up others in scoring positions. He’s an incredibly tough player who fights through a ton of contact and embraces physical play on both ends of the floor. Calvert is a very scrappy defender and nice rebounder for his size/position.
Despite being a new addition to the roster, it’s impossible to ignore the unique way that Luca Sarnowska impacts a game. He arguably possesses the highest motor of any player in North Carolina. Combine that with his size, strength, and phenomenal nose for the ball, and he’s able to consistently make an impact without needing the ball in his hands. It’s not uncommon to see guys playing hard, but Sarnowska is so loud and physically imposing that it’s difficult to ignore his presence on the court. It’s difficult for others not to play hard when they see him flying around and constantly doing the dirty work. Add in his rebounding and finishing ability, and Sarnowska brings a ton of value to this group.
Although those two carry a heavy scoring load, guys like Brady Bennett and Caleb Autry should be seen as targets for college coaches. Bennett is a lethal shooter with size, feel, and ball skills. He knows how to operate as a spot-up threat who can attack closeouts, make decisions with the ball in his hands, and defend with energy. Meanwhile, Autry is long, wiry, and excels at doing the little things. He’s a capable finisher and rebounder who displays the ability to alter his approach as needed.