By Patrick Paul
Passion Driven Sports has been a pillar in the Pee Dee/Grand Strand area for the past two years. Gyms Gems heavily focus on small-town kids with big talent. Got a chance to attend Week 1 of Icon Cuts Fall league at Trinity Collegiate School in Florence, SC. Great basketball is being displayed in which the content can be displayed on the Savage Academy youtube channel. Here is some of the outstanding players who stood out the most from this event:
Zy’kee Knox 2022- Team Red
Zy’kee is coming off a great summer of AAU and hasn’t lost a step. Zykee has turned himself into one of the best defenders in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand area. Excellent footwork with quick hands. On the offensive end, he has the ability to go downhill in a straight line and finish. A willing facilitator who creates for others. When Zy’kee improves his jump shots, he will be dangerous and someone to keep your eye on.
Cesare Edwards 2021-Team Red
It’s nothing that can be said about Cesare Edwards that hasn’t already been said. The Xaiver commit is prime for another big year. In this game, we saw him dominate on both ends of the floor. He has a next-level skill set! 3 level scorer, who has a highly effective mid-post-game in which that makes him so hard to guard. Big season for him is ahead.
Tristan Lexander 2022- Team Red
Tristan is a super skilled guard who plays the game the right way. Just receiving a Tennessee Tech offer this past week. Tristan’s best basketball is ahead of him. Great shooting touch with the ability to get to the rim. Tristan also shows the flashes of being a good defender with his wiry frame. In this game, Tristan did a lot of little things this weekend to impact the game that didn’t show up in the scoresheet.
Mikah Nelson 2022- Team White
Sleeper Alert!!! Mikah Nelson was the most impressive player from this game. While battling with Xaiver Commit Cesare Edwards, he never backed down. He rebounded the ball well. Finished over bigger defenders. Played solid on the defensive end, While hitting multiple 3’s and even the game-winner. Mikah development over the summer was huge. Coaches should watch him next summer.
Jonah Nesmith 2022- Team White
Jonah is the wing with a tremendous upside. 6’5 with long arms who can put it on the floor and shoot the midrange at a decent rate. He is a fairly good help-side defender due to his athletic ability. Jonah has all the tools to be a college basketball player. Jonah must stay consistent with improving shooting the three-ball.
Here are the Highlights from the run. Provided by Dreamschaser Media