By: Cooper Hart
In Week in Review, I will look at the previous week of Region X JUCO basketball and give a brief update on what’s going on and what has happened. Each week I will breakdown 1-2 of the more interesting games and give my scouting report on the Region X prospects in those games. You will also be able to see the single game stat leaders from the week as well as each team’s record. Lastly, each game played will be listed with scores and the top performers from each team. The stats and scores were taken off the Region X sports website, which you can visit here.
For week 1 of the JUCO season, I broke down the Wake Tech Eagles season opener against Hagerstown College. The Eagles received votes in the preseason NJCAA D2 media poll and despite their 0-2 start, will be one of the better teams in the region. They have a handful of recruitable players but these 3 stuck out the most in this one.
Wake Tech vs Hagerstown (78-95)
Tharius Suggs
Tharius Suggs was, in my opinion, the best player on the court in this game. He was the lead guard for the Eagles whenever he was in the game, and he excelled at getting into the paint and making reads. Tharius has a strong frame and quick feet which made him virtually unstoppable getting to the rim. He had a handful of outstanding passes that led to layups or open jumpers for his teammates. He has a high feel for the game and he’s one of the only players that I’ve seen at the high school or JUCO level that can create an advantage for his team completely by himself. On the defensive end, he was great at containing his man and eliminating space on the ball, making it difficult for opposing guards to run any offense. He also was great at anticipating drivers and getting himself into position to draw charges. Only a freshman, the 6’4” guard could be one of the top players in the region if he continues to display this type of two-way playmaking ability.
Caleb Pendleton
Caleb Pendleton was the Eagles most effective scorer in this game. He was a constant threat from outside, connecting on a handful of jumpers off the catch, the bounce, and the move. He was fantastic at attacking closeouts, usually the ones that Tharius created. I was really impressed with his touch on awkward inside finishes, specifically floaters. He used a variety of different footwork’s and arm angles to get floaters and layups up over the Hagerstown rim protectors. I thought that he was a plus level passer and decision maker, and he would make a serviceable lead guard, but for now it seems that his best role is off the ball. If Caleb can consistently create this much off-ball gravity throughout this year, he will be one of the more sought-after off-guard prospects in the region.
Simeon Tokoto
Simeon Tokoto is a 6’6” sophomore that impressed me with his defense in this game. Wake Tech played him at the top of a 1-3-1 press for a large portion of the game and he used his length to be disruptive and slow down a fast Hagerstown offense. In the half court, Simeon was outstanding at making multiple efforts, constantly closing out, contesting shots, and rebounding on each possession. Offensively, he had a rough night in terms of shooting percentage, but he was able to get most any look that he wanted. He used his athleticism to get around defenders and get off floaters and contested finishes at the rim. He has solid shooting mechanics and is confident enough to be a high volume outside threat. He showed some good flashes in this game, and it will be interesting to see how much he breaks through this season.
Weekly Stat Leaders
| Rank | Points | Name | School | Date | Rank | Rebounds | Name | School | Date |
| 1 | 30 | Quantavis McKinney | Lenoir | 11/2 | 1 | 14 | Trey Fields | Davidson-Davie | 11/2 |
| 2 | 28 | Javen Chandler | Catawba Valley | 11/2 | 2 | 13 | Chase Mebane | Davidson-Davie | 11/5 |
| 3 | 27 | David Wilkerson | Spartanburg Methodist | 11/2 | 3 | 13 | Avery Huggins | Pitt | 11/5 |
| 4 | 24 | Nasim Fuller | Catawba Valley | 11/2 | 4 | 12 | Larry Howell | Richard Bland | 11/1 |
| 5 | 23 | Almondo Cyrius | Louisburg | 11/1 | 5 | 11 | Jaquan Thurman | Sandhills | 11/2 |
| 6 | 22 | Asil Hoyle | Gaston | 11/5 | 6 | 11 | Tyjae Haynes | Catawba Valley | 11/2 |
| 7 | 22 | Michael Smith | Gaston | 11/2 | 7 | 11 | Keith Reese Jr | Davidson-Davie | 11/2 |
| 8 | 20 | Jaquan Thurman | Sandhills | 11/2 | 8 | 11 | LeNijel Robinson | Sandhills | 11/4 |
| 9 | 20 | Asil Hoyle | Gaston | 11/2 | 9 | 11 | Ricky Lipscomb Jr | Lenoir | 11/2 |
| 10 | 19 | Evan Presnell | Catawba Valley | 11/2 | 10 | 10 | Josiah Dow | Bryant & Stratton | 11/5 |
| Rank | 3P Made | Name | School | Date | Rank | Assists | Name | School | Date |
| 1 | 6 | Asil Hoyle | Gaston | 11/5 | 1 | 10 | Jaheim Taylor | Davidson-Davie | 11/2 |
| 2 | 6 | Elan Muniz | Davidson-Davie | 11/2 | 2 | 10 | Mark-Dameon Cooper | Central Carolina | 11/1 |
| 3 | 4 | Jamari McDougald | Sandhills | 11/4 | 3 | 9 | DaMarco Watson | Gaston | 11/5 |
| 4 | 3 | Parker Watson | Central Carolina | 11/1 | 4 | 8 | DaMarco Watson | Gaston | 11/2 |
| 5 | 3 | Jordan Kearney | Louisburg | 11/1 | 5 | 8 | Asil Hoyle | Gaston | 11/5 |
| 6 | 3 | Evan Presnell | Catawba Valley | 11/2 | 6 | 7 | LeNijel Robinson | Sandhills | 11/4 |
| 7 | 3 | Jahlan King | Davidson-Davie | 11/2 | 7 | 7 | Jordan Guthrie | Gaston | 11/2 |
| 8 | 3 | Kahari Rogers | Spartanburg Methodist | 11/2 | 8 | 7 | Nasim Fuller | Catawba Valley | 11/2 |
| 9 | 3 | Asil Hoyle | Gaston | 11/4 | 9 | 7 | Evan Presnell | Catawba Valley | 11/2 |
| 10 | 3 | Jamari McDougald | Sandhills | 11/5 | 10 | 7 | Jordan Coleman | Sandills | 11/5 |
Team Records
| Division 1 | Wins | Losses | Division 2 | Wins | Losses |
| Spartanburg Methodist | 3 | 0 | Davidson-Davie | 2 | 0 |
| Gaston | 3 | 0 | Pitt | 2 | 0 |
| Caldwell Tech | 1 | 1 | Catawba Valley | 1 | 0 |
| Richard Bland | 1 | 2 | Bryant & Stratton | 1 | 0 |
| USC Salkehatchie | 0 | 0 | Southwest Virginia | 1 | 0 |
| Denmark Tech | 0 | 1 | Fayetteville Tech | 1 | 0 |
| Cape Fear | 0 | 2 | Guilford Tech | 1 | 0 |
| Brunswick | 0 | 2 | Louisburg | 1 | 1 |
| Division 3 | Wins | Losses | Johnston | 0 | 0 |
| Sandhills | 3 | 0 | Patrick & Henry | 0 | 0 |
| Central Carolina | 1 | 2 | Lenoir | 0 | 2 |
| Mountain Gateway | 0 | 1 | Wake Tech | 0 | 2 |
All Week 1 Scores (box scores linked if possible)
- Winners in bold
November 1st
- Richard Bland vs Mountain Gateway (89-62) – Box Score
- Larry Howell (RBC) – 13 PTS, 12 REB, 3 STL, 5/12 FG
- Louisburg vs Central Carolina (82-78) – Box Score
- Almando Cyrius (LC) – 23 PTS, 8/15 FG, 2/5 3P
- Ayinde Taylor ii (LC) – 19 PTS, 8 REB, 7/12 FG, 2/4 3P
- Mark-Dameon Cooper (CCCC) – 14 PTS, 10 AST, 5/9 FG, 1/2 3P
- Guilford Tech vs Hosanna (101-30)
November 2nd
- Lenoir vs Sandhills (79-90) – Box Score
- Quantavis McKinney (LCC) – 30 PTS, 12/17 FG, 2/3 3P, 4/5 FT
- Jaquan Thurman (SCC) – 20 PTS, 11 REB, 8/12 FG, 4/6 FT
- Joey McMullin (SCC) – 19 PTS, 9/13 FG, 1/3 3P
- Gaston vs Gaddis Watts Prep (125-75) – Box Score
- DaMarco Watson (GC) – 15 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 5/9 FG
- Michael Smith (GC) – 22 PTS, 4 STL, 11/13 FG
- Catawba Valley vs Erskine JV (108-63) – Box Score
- Javen Chandler (CVCC) – 28 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 10/17 FG
- Evan Presnell (CVCC) – 19 PTS, 7 AST, 6 STL, 3/7 3P
- Nasim Fuller (CVCC) – 24 PTS, 7 AST, 5 STL, 7/15 FG
- Davidson-Davie vs Central Carolina (113-51) – Box Score
- Jaheim Taylor (DDCC) – 15 PTS, 10 AST, 4 STL, 7/11 FG
- Trey Fields (DDCC) – 11 PTS, 14 REB, 4 STL, 4 BLK, 5/9 FG
- Elan Muniz (DDCC) – 18 PTS, 6/12 3P
- Spartanburg Methodist vs East Georgia State (70-69) – Box Score
- David Wilkerson (SMC) – 27 PTS, 7 REB, 10/14 FG, 2/4 3P
November 3rd
- Southwest Virginia vs Franklin Prep (119-100)
November 4th
- Caldwell Tech vs Motlow State (91-92/OT) – Box Score
- Gaston vs Walters State (72-69/OT) – Box Score
- Asil Hoyle (GC) – 17 PTS, 5/11 FG, 3/6 3P
- DaMarco Watson (GC) – 13 PTS, 5 AST, 6/10 FG
- Sandhills vs Shooting 4 Greatness (130-67) – Box Score
- LeNijel Robinson (SCC) – 11 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST, 4/6 FG
- Bryan Quiller (SCC) – 16 PTS, 6 REB, 8/12 FG
- Richard Bland vs Monroe (62-90) – Box Score
- Martin Kawa (RBC) – 14 PTS, 6/12 FG
- Cape Fear vs Harcum (84-96)
- Spartanburg Methodist vs Louisburg (64-59)
- Brunswick vs Allegany Maryland (73-78)
November 5th
- Bryant & Stratton VA vs Cecil (73-71) – Box Score
- Josiah Dow (B&S) – 16 PTS, 10 REB, 6/17 FG
- Jefferson Youngblood (B&S) – 9 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST, 3/7 FG
- Davidson-Davie vs Denmark Tech (97-66) – Box Score
- Chase Mebane (DDCC) – 17 PTS, 13 REB, 7/9 FG
- Trey Fields (DDCC) – 15 PTS, 7 REB, 6/7 FG, 2/3 3P
- Frankie Dennard (DTC) – 14 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL, 6/14 FG
- Sandhills vs Anne Arundel (110-80) – Box Score
- Joey McMullin (SCC) – 19 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 8/10 FG
- Bryan Quiller (SCC) – 18 PTS, 5 REB, 6/8 FG, 6/8 FT
- Gaston vs Motlow State (76-64) – Box Score
- Asil Hoyle (GC) – 22 PTS, 8 AST, 8/12 FG, 6/8 3P
- Jamal Ukaegbu (GC) – 14 PTS, 8 REB, 4 STL, 8/11 FG
- Pitt vs CCBC Catonsville (80-70)
- Avery Huggins (PCC) – 17 PTS, 13 REB, 10 BLK, 8/12 FG
- Caldwell Tech vs Walters State (70-65)
- Brunswick vs Harcum (73-86)
- Wake Tech vs Spartanburg Methodist (75-78)
- Fayetteville Tech vs Hosana Bible (103-41)
- Central Carolina vs Lenoir (82-77)
- Richard Bland vs Allegany Maryland (70-75)
- Cape Fear vs Monroe (72-90)