EVENT NEWS
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Phenom Open Gym: Forsyth Country Day
2026 Q Williams Q Williams played extremely well during practice Monday night. The smart, savvy point guard does a tremendous job running the show. He is a paint touch guard who has the ability to create for himself and others. Q will be the head of the snake for the Furies this season. He continues to expand his game from the perimeter and has proven to be more than capable from the perimeter....
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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy (Part 1)
Phenom Hoops traveled to Lincolnton to cover open gym at Combine Academy. In only his second year at Combine, Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled talent and depth, and may be one of his most talented teams. Last season, Combine Academy was nationally ranked and finished as a top 25 team, not to mention winning the prestigious Phenom Hoop State Championship. Combine Academy has the...
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Phenom Preview: Apex looking to surprise a few
We simply can’t wait for the high school basketball season to begin, which is why we are diving into teams and doing some early previews. There are teams all around the state that we will be looking at, as we take a look at teams and players to watch out for. Team: Apex High School Last Year’s Record: 5-19 Top Three Scorers Last Year:Sam Martin: 17.1ppgZaelyn White: 12.1ppgAdley Calhoun:...
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Phenom Open Gym: Lake Norman
Phenom Hoops traveled to Mooresville, North Carolina to cover the opening day of public high school open gym/workouts. For Head Coach Grant Hodges, the future looks extremely bright. Last season, Lake Norman finished with a 19-8 record and went an impressive 11-1 in the brutally tough Greater Metro 4 Conference. While Lake Norman loses All-Conference senior Cole Callaway (Newberry), they return...
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Phenom Open Gym: North Meck
Phenom Hoops traveled to Huntersville, North Carolina to cover the opening day of public high school open gym/workouts. For Head Coach, Duane Lewis, the future is now and he has another absolutely loaded roster, including Duke commit Isaiah Evan. Last season, North Mecklenburg finished with a 29-3 overall record and a 11-1 conference record, before losing in the NCHSAA 4A Western Regional final...
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Phenom Open Gym: Winston Salem Christian
2025 Jordan Lowery Jordan is a new name to know in the Hoop State. He will play a major role for the Lions this season. Jordan is a smart, high-IQ guard who has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. The crafty playmaker has a tremendous feel for the game and makes everyone around him better. He also has the ability to knock down perimeter shots off the catch and bounce. Jordan...
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Phenom Open Gym: GRACE Christian
By: Cooper Hart On Friday Night, Phenom Hoops stopped by GRACE Christian School in Raleigh to check out the 2023-24 Eagles. They’re coming off a 21-14 record where they tied for 1st in the CCC and returned 7 of their top 10 scorers. 6’1” ’24 Steven McLeod McLeod set the tone throughout the night with his energy and intensity, establishing himself as a leader on this year’s team. He’s an athletic...
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Phenom Open Gym: North Raleigh Christian Academy
By: Cooper Hart On Thursday morning, Phenom Hoops made it out to North Raleigh Christian Academy to check out the 2023-24 Knights. They’re coming off a 14-15 season where they finished 3rd in the TISAC and returned just one of their top six scorers. 6’3” ’24 Jayse Buckley Buckley will be one of the few veteran leaders for this young group. He’s a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day: Boys Standouts
On Thursday, Phenom Hoops returned to the Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day for another evening of drills and scrimmage action. The boys kicked off their practice session by going through, drills, fundamental development, and scrimmaging. Let’s check out a few of the standouts from the practice… 2028 Gavin Jones In a gym full of new faces, Gavin Jones was easily the most enticing long-term...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day: Lady Standouts
On Thursday, Phenom Hoops returned to the Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day for another evening of drills and scrimmage action. The ladies kicked off the practice session, going through fundamental development and working hard during the stations. Let’s check out a few of the standouts from the drills portion… 2033 Finley Crowder Given her status as one of the youngest players on display,...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – 6th & 7th Grade Girls
On Tuesday night, Phenom Hoops was also able to cover Charlotte Skill Factory’s sixth and seventh grade girls’ teams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standouts. Gavin Tessicini made an impression on the defensive end. She moves her feet well and is an active on-ball defender. Offensively, she excels in the open court with her speed and ability to attack the basket. She...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – 6th & 7th Grade Boys Standouts
In continuing our coverage of Charlotte Skill Factory, on Tuesday night we covered their sixth and seventh grade boys’ teams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standouts from each age group. Sixth Grade 2030 Xander Goodwin stood out as immediately during drills with his smooth, effortless shooting form. As the practice progressed, you were able to see his full skillset. He displayed...
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Charlotte Skill Factory Media Day – Monday Standouts
This week, Phenom Hoops will be in attendance for Charlotte Skill Factory’s media week. On Monday night, they held practice for their second through fifth grade boys. Director Lawrence Gordon has done a tremendous job of building this program where they put an emphasis on skill development, fundamentals, and developing their student-athletes on and off the floor. The Charlotte...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Tibbs
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Graves
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Henderson
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Open Gym Tour: Laney High School
Coach BJ Donnell, “The Homecoming” For first year Head Coach BJ Donnell, there’s no greater opportunity to return to you alma mater. Coach Donnell was a star basketball player and graduated from Laney High School in 2008. After a stellar high school career, Donnell earned a scholarship and attended Fayetteville State University. For the past seven years, Coach Donnell has been an...
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Open Gym: Concord Spiders
Phenom Hoops travelled to Concord, North Carolina to check out the Concord Spiders coached by Barrett Kruegar. Last season, Concord finished with an impressive 22-6 record with losses coming to Central Cabarrus (3-times), JM Robinson (NCHSAA 2A State Champion), Northwest Cabarrus (In overtime), and in the state playoffs to traditional power Ben L. Smith. Concord has a rich tradition and hopes to...
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Open Gym Report: Piedmont Classical
On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to New Light Baptist Church to see the Bobcats of Piedmont Classical. Since their founding in 2016-17, this program has found consistent success through building around the local (mainly Greensboro-based) talent. Now, in his first full season at the helm, Coach Cardes Brown (and Justin Watlington) has all the necessary pieces to have a ton of success....
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Phenom Open Gym: Christ School
Phenom Open Gym: Christ School Phenom Hoops travelled to the footsteps of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Arden, North Carolina to cover open gym. Head Coach Josh Coley has plenty to be excited about for the upcoming season. Last year, Christ School finished with a 16-11 record, but returns the top three scorers in 6’4 Emanuel Richards (19.3 PPG; 5.2 RPG), 6’5 Bryson Cokley (9.3 PPG; 4.5...
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Phenom Open Gym: 1 of 1 Academy
Phenom Open Gym: 1 of 1 Academy Phenom Hoops travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover 1 of 1 Academy. Practicing in historic Second Ward Gymnasium, it was a treat to watch the coaching of Head Coach Jermaine Jackson. Talk about attention to detail and heavy emphasis on defense and proper close outs, the players were being coached at an extremely high level. The former Detroit-Mercy and...
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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look
Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look A team such as Combine Academy deserves a second look. A roster filled with high level prospects, first year Head Coach Mike Wright has plenty to be excited about. Walking into the two-hour practice a few minutes late, we could sense the energy in John Jordan Gymnasium. There’s no denying the fact, Coach Wright brings passion and the intensity...
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Phenom Open Gym: Pine Lake Prep
Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season. One team that we were able to view recently was Pine Lake Prep. Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. Pine Lake Prep faced a tough...
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Phenom Open Gym: Winston-Salem Christian National
Phenom Open Gym: Winston-Salem Christian National Coach Antonio Lowe has a proven track record of developing programs. Not too long ago, he put Moravian Prep on the map and they won the inaugural Hoop State Championship. Since then, Coach Lowe has moved on to Winston-Salem Christian and is building another successful program at the national level. First of all, Winston-Salem Christian is a...
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Phenom Open Gym: Mallard Creek
Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season. One team that we were able to view recently was Mallard Creek. Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. When you talk about Mallard...
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Phenom Open Gym: United Faith
United Faith has been a traditional basketball program at the NCISAA 1A level. Last season, they once again won another state championship and this year’s team looks poised for a repeat. First year head coach Darion Holloway, known as “Coach D,” has plenty to be excited about. Coach D has been with the program for four years and served as the associate head coach for the past three years. Upon...
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Phenom Open Gym: Charlotte Catholic
Phenom Open Gym: Charlotte Catholic Playing in the super competitive NCHSAA Southwestern 4A conference, last season, Charlotte Catholic finished the conference regular season with an 8-4 record and won the conference tournament championship to advance to the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs. Charlotte Catholic ended the season with a 17-11 record. Coach Mike King returns a core nucleus...
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Phenom Open Gym: Concord Academy
Head Coach Frank Cantadore is one of the most underrated coaches in the state, regardless of class or affiliation. Year after year, Coach Cantadore will play the toughest schedule, bar none! He isn’t afraid of the challenge and views the toughest teams as an opportunity for his team to improve and get better. Case and point, Concord Academy had a losing record heading into the NCISAA state...
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Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus
Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus Last season, Central Cabarrus finished with a 30-1 overall record losing to eventual NCHSAA 3A State Champion, West Charlotte, in the Western Regional Finals. With 93% of the scoring returning, Coach Jim Baker has plenty to be excited about and should be the pre-season favorite in the NCHSAA 3A West. Central Cabarrus plays an unorthodox style of basketball and...
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Phenom Open Gym: Carmel Christian
Phenom Open Gym: Carmel Christian Coach Joe Badgett is one of the premier high school coaches in the country! Period. Point Blank. Winning and Coach Joe Badgett go hand in hand and the defending NCISAA 4A state champion has once again put together a roster that will be a favorite to repeat as state champions. And to take it a step further, put Carmel Christian in the national conversation as one...
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