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Commitment Alert: 2022 AJ Cook headed to Presbyterian
Each and every time Phenom Hoop Report gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player. Here is the latest commitment. Player: AJ CookClass: 2022Committed to: Presbyterian What Was Said by Phenom Hoops:...
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Phenom Grassroots TOC Team Preview: CC Elite 2022
The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach. CC Elite 2022 Player Name: A.J. CookClass: SeniorPosition: Combo...
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Unsigned Seniors to Watch at Phenom Grassroots TOC (Part One)
The time has finally come for the highly anticipated April Live Periods. With the recruiting landscape in complete shambles, there’s still an abundance of unsigned, college-level seniors fighting for their chance to advance to the collegiate ranks. We’ve seen all of these prospects, and written about each of them previously. That being said, we decided to construct an article with a small blurb...
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Weddington, ” A team of Destiny'”
Last year, Weddington, won its first ever state championship going a perfect 18-0, winning the NCHSAA 3A State Championship. Coached by Gary Ellington, Weddington moved from the 3A classification to the 4A classification. While we had Weddington has a “team to watch” in our pre-season predictions, we would be foolish to say we expected them to be 30-0 and advancing to the NCHSAA 4A State...
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True Outside Threat: 3-point shooters (Class of 2022)
Phenom Hoops doesn’t just shed light on the top players in the state but we want to provide a platform for ALL players. The class of 2022 is still fully loaded with talent and there are plenty of players that are having a strong high school season that you may want to check out, especially if you are looking for some 3-point shooters. Here are the top 15 players in 3-pointers made this season so...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Phenom Holiday Classic
2022 Marcus Kell (Legion Collegiate): I will have to say this, Western Carolina seems to have gotten them a steal, and can’t wait to see what he is able to do at the next level. Really tough to match up with a 6’8 prospect with one of the smoothest shots around, stepping in and showing his range, but also being effective in all areas and helping on the boards. Simply uses his size to his...
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Weddington vs Ardrey Kell Game Summary
Phenom Hoops travelled to Ardrey Kell to cover one of the premier high school early season matchups. Weddington is coached by Gary Ellington and led them to their first ever NCHSAA 3A state championship last season. Year in, year out, Ardrey Kell is considered one of the top teams in the area and is coached by Mike Craft. Coach Gary Ellington and Coach Mike Craft are outstanding high school...
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2022 AJ Cook has proven himself on the court
Each and every year, there are players that don’t get the attention that they deserve and there are plenty in the class of 2022 that could fall into that file. One of those players that have consistently shown his impact on the court is 2022 AJ Cook from CC Elite 2022 and Weddington.
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Notable Shooters in North Carolina’s Class of 2022
By now, the undeniable value surrounding three-point shooting should be no secret at any level of basketball. The ability to space the floor goes far beyond the basic math (three being worth more than two), as the threat typically leads to improved ball movement while regularly forcing defenses to make difficult, yet precise decisions in their rotations and closeouts. Nearly every college...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Summer Finale
6’2 ’25 Chad Traylor (Team United) Although the entire roster is intriguing, there’s something about Traylor’s poised, steady identity that makes him so appealing. He can run the offense or operate without the ball, and is able to find equal amounts of success in both areas. Traylor’s high IQ is evident through his two-way approach, as everything he does is purposeful and intentional. He’s a...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Summer Finale (Day 1, Part 3)
2022 Jordan Crawford (DCT Elite): Crawford continues to play at a high level and we think it is only a matter of time until college coaches start coming more his way. His ability to score on multiple levels is impressive, knocking down threes with consistency but also creating off the dribble, penetrating the lanes, and getting to the rim. H really can fill it up quickly and did so on Day 1....
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Coach Rick’s TOC (Day 2, Part 2)
2022 AJ Cook (CC Elite): Now playing this weekend with CC Elite Jacob-Fisher, it certainly gave an opportunity for Cook to shine even more with his shooting ability and that he did on Day 2, eventually going for 32 big points to lead his team to a win. Cook doesn’t need much room to get his shot and makes quick, decisive decisions in his game. Cook though can be a game-changer for a...
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Noah’s Hoopers from Coach Rick’s TOC (Day 1, Part 1)
By: Noah Hooper 6’7 2022 Bryce Wilkins (Drill Academy 17U) When you look at Wilkin’s long frame and notice what his skill set consists of, he immediately stands out compared to other kids. The 6’7 forward does a great job of getting to his spots and using his body to get what he wants in the lane, along with being able to stretch the floor and hit shots from beyond the arc, which helps his team...
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Phenom Summer Havoc Team Preview: CC Elite 2022
July is going to be fun, especially with Phenom Hoops. That is why we are getting just a small head-start on the teams and players that will be in attendance for the Summer Havoc. Here, we look to preview just a few names to watch for throughout the weekend in Rock Hill, with many others stepping up their game in front of college coaches. CC Elite 2022 2022 7’0 Patrick Wessler...
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Notable Shooting Threats at Phenom G3 Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned back to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina for another exciting grassroots event. The combination of atmosphere and overall talent led to a ton of standouts, competitive battles, and general buzz for the upcoming summer season. With so many college coaches still inquiring about shooting, we figured it would be advantageous...
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Player Standouts at Phenom G3 Showcase
6’5 ’22 Chase Lowe (CC Elite) It would be extremely difficult for anyone who watched this contest to say anything other than positives in regards to Lowe. His leadership is evident through his seemingly nonstop all-around production. Lowe runs a team exceptionally well, and utilizes his playmaking and size advantage to cause a ton of matchup problems for opponents. He displays great defensive...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 1)
2021 Peyton Gerald (Ace Elite) – You have to like what a 6’8 mobile and athletic forward can bring to the table. With Gerald he brings that and more. He has a nice feel down in the post and uses his length well, but also can create for himself and does a tremendous job in getting at the rim and on the boards. Strong first day for this unsigned senior. 2022 Reggie Bass (Team...
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Time to Recognize: 2022 AJ Cook is one of the top shooters in NC
College coaches always need shooters and one place you can find one is at Weddington high school, as 2022 AJ Cook has continued to capture the eyes of many. And why wouldn’t he… if you have watched his game over the summer and school year, he doesn’t lack any confidence in his shot-making capabilities. Over the years though, he has put in the work to get where he is today. From...
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NCBCA All-District Teams Announced: Who Got Snubbed'
Regardless of context or situation, there is guaranteed to be controversy surrounding whenever individuals are named to an all-accolade team. The topic of snubs is in constant circulation for those who closely follow sports, as every All-Star/All-Pro team seems to cause debate. Did the most deserving players make the team' Were there more deserving players who were too low or overlooked...
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Weddington takes down Crest; Advances to NCHSAA 3A State Championship
Weddington Takes Down Crest Weddington may not pass the eye test, but they simply get the job done. They play the game at a very high level. They are one of the best coached teams in the state and are willing to put their team goals above personal goals. After I graduated from Butler University, the “Butler Way” has played a huge role in my life. The Butler Way demands commitment, denies...
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Phenom Game Report: Weddington vs. Central Cabarrus
The playoffs continued on Thursday night throughout North Carolina, as we checked in at Weddington as they welcomed in a tough Central Cabarrus. However, Central Cabarrus had their work cut out for them, as they had a big task in taking down one of the favorites on their home floor.
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Start Recognizing: Weddington proving they are one of the top teams in the state
Head coach Gary Ellington seems to be having the Warriors rolling along once again this season and to put it simply, they have proven they are one of the top teams in the state. The winning ways shouldn’t come as any surprise, as this program and team have been playing quite some time together and are very familiar with each other. They showed it over and over again this fall as CC Elite...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 20
Team 20Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQaoiynjd_Hd7T1X2Z4LPibL Coach: Yusuf English #0: 5’5 ’24 MJ Armstrong (Rock Hill) Starting things off, we look at a player that contributed well despite being the smallest camper on this team, MJ Armstrong. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with a nice perimeter jumper and solid vision as a playmaker. Armstrong operates...
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Phenom Open Run/Gym: Weddington
Phenom Hoops went out on a late Friday night to check in on another fall league, getting a chance to watch the talent that will once again be on display during the high school season. We take a look at the players we saw, making notes of what each team could potentially look like once the season starts.
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“Get to Know” AJ Cook
We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball...
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CC Warriors: Proving their Ability
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for another exciting weekend of basketball. We’ve seen a lot of teams over the past month and the CC Elite organization has been on full display throughout the process. At our Phenom Stay Positive, they constructed a Weddington-based group that certainly outperformed expectations with their...
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Early Standouts at Day One of Phenom Summer Havoc
6’7 ’21 Earl Burgess (Team 864) It’s easy to appreciate someone like Burgess, who is so noticeably effective without ever needing to be the primary focus on either end of the floor. He simply makes plays and understands how to maximize his presence. Burgess is long, wiry, and moves very well for his size. He runs the floor properly in transition, makes smart decisions with or without the ball,...
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5’11 2022 AJ Cook, “From Sixth Man to Starter”
For AJ Cook, he has played the role of the perfect teammate, patiently binding his time and doing whatever is necessary to help his team win. Last season, Cook was named the Union County Hoops Sixth Man of the Year for Weddington High School, which went 22-8. While Cook averaged a modest 5.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.2 APG and even 1.1 SPG. This season, Cook will be expected to be a major contributor to...
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North Carolina Phenom 150 Session I Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: Jordan Washington #62: 5’9 ’23 Khamani Wertz (Providence Day) Starting things off, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Khamani Wertz. He’s a young, smart, slightly undersized guard prospect with a terrific three-point stroke and blossoming offensive skillset. Wertz can reliably handle and pass the ball but typically works...
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Afternoon Standouts at NC Phenom 150 Camp
#82- AJ Cook- Though somewhat unassuming, Cook has easily been one of the most memorable performers from camp. He’s smart, crafty, and an incredibly smooth three-level scorer with a knockdown jumper from beyond the arc. Cook handles and distributes the ball very well, but is arguably even better as a scoring threat. He also gives great effort on defense and the glass. #115- Noah Hooper-...
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