This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the NCHSAA and NCISAA Showcases being hosted in Bermuda Run and Greensboro, respectively. These events afford coaches to start preparing for the next season, players develop chemistry with one another, and scouts get updated viewings on prospects. Furthermore, there are typically an abundance of entertaining matchups in both the public and private sectors. After spending Friday at NCHSAA and Saturday at NCISAA, there were countless standouts worth noting. However, it feels like Grace Christian’s productive trio is deserving of more attention. Let’s take a closer look…
So much of this team is based on Kaedyn Cole and his ability to create mismatches on both ends of the floor. The rising sophomore is a very strong, powerful athlete with impressive mobility and explosiveness for his size/position. However, he’s also quite skilled. Cole is comfortable making plays off the bounce, both as an initiator and downhill creator, but doesn’t require the ball in his hands to make an impact. He can score in various ways, showing the ability to operate out of the post, faceup, attack off the dribble, or space the floor from beyond the arc. Cole is a physical defender who can guard multiple positions and is comfortable switching across a lineup. He also secures rebounds at a quality rate, where he’s able to convert second-chance opportunities, push the break, or run the floor in transition. Already very impactful, Cole should only continue to trend upward.
Between his nonstop energy, incredibly unselfish approach, and general ability to impact the game, it’s easy to see everything Grant Jacques does to establish himself as a leader. He’s a knockdown shooter and reliable scorer from all levels with the ability to consistently create for himself and others. Jacques is comfortable running the team and setting up others or operating without the ball and finding ways to apply scoring pressure from various spots on the floor. He’s a lethal spot-up threat, but attacks the basket well and converts midrange pull-ups with ease. There is never a question of intent or effort with Jacques, as he always leaves it all on the court. He’s truly maximized his abilities as an overall player. Jacques frequently makes hustle plays, outworks opponents on the glass, and wreaks havoc with his defensive presence. He’s simply the type of player that will be an asset wherever he ends up.
Rounding out this trio, Josiah Currie is already standing out as a difference-maker upon joining this squad. The new addition brings a very valuable two-way identity with the size, skill, and athleticism to impact the game in a lot of ways. He’s a strong penetrator with the quickness and craftiness to regularly break down opponents off the dribble, where he’s able to touch the paint and make quality reads with the ball in his hands. Currie floats through the air to finish effectively around the basket, but can also knock down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. He utilizes his length and physicality to consistently force turnovers and make plays defensively. Currie rebounds his position very well for a guard and knows how to immediately push the break to seize transition opportunities. Although he was already a college-level piece prior to reclassifying, coaches should be even more intrigued.