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Player Standouts at Hoopstate League (Sunday)
6’2 ’25 Chad Traylor (United We Stand) There are a lot of poised floor generals in the state, and Traylor is as impressive as any of them. He stands out as the clear leader of this group, both as their primary creator and tone-setting defender at the point of attack. Traylor is a reliable shot-maker with excellent vision and an understanding of how to consistently make the right play with the...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Finals: Day 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2024 AJ Parsley (Team Ville)Although the smallest guy on the court, AJ brings a gigantic presence with his scrappy nature that more than makes up for his size. He’s a crafty ball handler that will carry the majority of the decision-making for this group composed of young and older talent. What I noticed in his game that separated him from other scorers at the helm, was the...
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Cooper’s Developments: HoopState League Championship Day 1
By; Cooper Hart Jordan Durham – ’24 Wing – The Burlington School Jordan has really bought into his role as a swiss army knife on offense and a high-level point-of-attack defender on defense. His shot selection and decision-making have improved each week that he’s been here. His height, length, and athleticism combination make him a versatile defender by default, and with his...
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Player Standouts at Hoopstate Fall League
6’1 ’23 Jaiden Thompson (Team Force) Although the twins receive a lot of attention (and rightfully so), Thompson is as valuable and important as anyone to the success of this team. For all intents and purposes, he could be considered the third brother. Thompson adds another reliable guard presence with IQ, vision, toughness, and scoring prowess. In this showing, he created shots, hit jumpers,...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Week 3: West Division)
by: Ethan Reece 2024 Josh Clark (Mavs Elite)Just like the Energizer bunny, Josh just never seems to stop. His motor and hustle are practically unmatched, and personally speaking I don’t know of anyone else who sprints the floor as hard as he does to get back on defense. And it’s that work ethic along with his IQ that makes the game look easy. He puts it into simple measures, cutting hard,...
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HoopState League Stock Risers
Trevor Best By; Cooper Hart After 3 weekends of HoopState League basketball in Raleigh, these are the names that I think benefited the most from their performances. Trevor Best (Holy Rams Gold) – 6’2” Guard – Word of God ’25 Trevor has been one of the top sophomores through six games in the east. What stood out to me were his shooting ability and his perimeter defense. He can...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Week 2: West Division)
By; Ethan Reece 2023 Carlos Luis (Combine Regional)What impressed me with Carlos’ play was his effectiveness to get where he wanted and use his size to play at his own pace. He has the blend of inside out play that matches the style of today’s game, being able to operate on the block with quality footwork and pose a threat outside with his shot or comfortable ability to put his shoulder down and...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: HoopState League (Week 3, East)
2026 Cole Cloer (Durham Hurricanes): Cloer has been a favorite of mine since the summer and he was off the charts today with what he showed. Early on, you must like his size and his feel for the game, as he was making spectacular decisions and passes to set up his teammates, created well and found ways to score around defenders, displayed good athleticism and body control, as well as being...
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Cooper’s HoopState League East Division Awards Semifinalists
By; Cooper Hart After two weekends of the HoopState League East, I’ve created a list of names that are in contention for awards. The list will be cut down after pool play finishes, and winners will be announced after the finals on the 23rd. There will be a Most Outstanding Player, 3 all-east teams, and 2 all-defense teams. Most Outstanding Player Semifinalists Colt Langdon (’25) – 6’8”...
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Under the Radar Names from Week 2 of Hoop State League East
6’1 2023 Jake Hart (Strong Center)Jake Hart finished the day with, what was in my opinion, the performance of the day, finishing with 24 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds and 6 steals. Hart is known for his tough-nosed, team-first approach. Throughout the day, he filled the stat sheet up in every possible way. He is a high IQ guard who sets the tone on both ends of the floor and really looks...
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Takeaways From Hoopstate Fall League
Word of God is Absolutely Loaded with Talent The only program in attendance who actually had to split their team in half, calling Word of God “talented” is like saying Ray Allen was a “good” shooter—an understatement to say the least. Between guys like Freddie Dilione, Isaiah Coleman, Davin Cosby (DNP), Mekhi Grant, Truman Claytor, Mayar Wol, Jamal Brown, Zion Collins, Trevor Best, Zion Gardner,...
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Hoop State Fall League Week 2: Thoughts and Storylines (Part 2)
Hurricane Ian closed down the school systems in Cabarrus County and unfortunately we were unable to host the Hoop State Fall League-West Division at Cox Mill High School. That being said, our Phenom staff headed down to Raleigh to the Hoop State Fall League-East Division at the JD Lewis Center. While the two-court facility has “tight quarters,” it’s the perfect venue to host a high school fall...
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Hoop State Fall League: Week 2 Thoughts & Storylines
Hurricane Ian closed down the school systems in Cabarrus County and unfortunately we were unable to host the Hoop State Fall League-West Division at Cox Mill High School. That being said, our Phenom staff headed down to Raleigh to the Hoop State Fall League-East Division at the JD Lewis Center. While the two-court facility has “tight quarters,” it’s the perfect venue to host a high school fall...
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Stepping Up More: Class of 2025 from #HoopStateLeague (Week 1)
2025 Miles Leaks (Piedmont): Leaks is a name that we have mentioned quite a few times after this and we are going to continue to mention more. We have spoken plenty about his game and if you missed it, you can check out our article earlier this week here (Click Here). But Leaks showed poise in running the show, showed flashes of his vision and playmaking ability, and looks to clearly be the...
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What we Learned from Week 1 at Hoop State Fall League: Guard play at West Charlotte will be fun to watch
It was great to get back on the court for the start of the Hoop State Fall League, giving us at Phenom Hoops a chance to view teams early on and check out what programs will be bringing to the court this season. One team that should have everyone’s attention this year will be West Charlotte after the year they had. West Charlotte lost some key guys from last year but when we watched their group...
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Start Noticing More: Class of 2023 from #HoopStateLeague (West) (Part 2)
The Hoop State League has kicked off and Week 1 was off the charts, but we still have several weeks ahead that you and college coaches will not want to miss. We have been taking notes early on and we can tell you, there are a few players in the Class of 2023 that should garner more attention. Here are four more players to look out for more and should be bigger priorities this upcoming high...
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Start Noticing More: Class of 2023 from #HoopStateLeague (West) (Part 1)
The Hoop State League has kicked off and Week 1 was off the charts, but we still have several weeks ahead that you and college coaches will not want to miss. We have been taking notes early on and we can tell you, there are a few players in the Class of 2023 that should garner more attention. Here are four players to look out for more and should be bigger priorities this upcoming high school...
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Keep an eye on: 2024 6’8 Jared Taylor
Every year players go under the radar all throughout the country. One player that has been a name popping up on multiple occasions as of late is 2024 6’8 Jared Taylor. He showed up again at the Hoop State Fall League for Charlotte Elite Academy and he could be one that I may have my eyes on a little bit more with what he has continued to show. In Week 1, Taylor really showcased his...
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What We Learned from Week 1 at Hoop State Fall League: JL Chambers looks strong again
One team that many were intrigued in watching at the Hoop State League was the Cougars of JL Chambers and to see what they would be bringing to the table this year. Our own, Rick Lewis, recently made a visit to an open gym but this was game action, giving us a further understanding of what this team may look like this year. After a strong season last year, JL Chambers lost some key players in...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Week 1: Day 2, West Division)
by: Ethan Reece 2023 Berni Tah (Big Dub Green)As the key returner from last year’s senior-laden state championship team, Berni came out and immediately showed how much his presence can be felt and needed. He’s built chiseled and sturdy, with natural athleticism and mobility to be a versatile threat in their system. He pushed the break off boards, found great cuts in traffic, and simply dominated...
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2025 Miles Leaks (Piedmont) is one to start tracking early
Player: Miles LeaksClass: 2025Height: 5’10School: Piedmont The Hoop State Fall League got underway to start the short season, as Week 1 is in the books. Not only does it give us a chance to watch a few teams early on and see what they bring, but also gives us an updated look at newer players that you will want to watch more this high school season. One player that really impressed in Week...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Week 1, Day 2 at #HoopStateLeague (Cox Mill)
2023 Zion McDuffie (Bulldogs): It is about time people start recognizing McDuffie and what he can provide on the court. He is a strong, physical presence that is one of the more explosive prospects in the state. He is terrific out in transition and getting to the basket, finishing strong and a few highlight-reel dunks. But he also has shown that he can step out and be effective from outside,...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Week 1: Day 1, West Division)
by: Ethan Reece 2023 JJ Mata (War Eagles)Given the nature of playing with Riptide SC in the summer, it comes as no surprise that JJ carries that same relentless tough mindset to high school ball. He’s got great length at his position, a high motor to compete on both ends, and a scoring approach to make defenders wary. He constantly put guys in tough defensive positions with his constant attack,...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Week 1, Day 1 at #HoopStateLeague (Cox Mill)
2025 Miles Leaks (Panthers): Leaks was tremendous to start the day, as I was incredibly impressed with how the young guard operated on the floor. He looked like a strong floor general on the floor, playing with a great pace and vision, finding his teammates and setting them up well, but also taking quality shots also. Really enjoyed watching how he was able to operate on the court. Leaks is a...
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HoopState League Team Preview: Juice All-Stars Stephenson
Phenom Hoops is heading into another year of the HoopState Fall League, as teams and players prepare for the upcoming season in a big way. And the fall league is one of the best ways to do just that, as teams are registering and will be in action from September-October. We look at and preview teams that will be in action. If you are looking to register your team for the HoopState...
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HoopState League Team Preview: Team Blue
Phenom Hoops is heading into another year of the HoopState Fall League, as teams and players prepare for the upcoming season in a big way. And the fall league is one of the best ways to do just that, as teams are registering and will be in action from September-October. We look at and preview teams that will be in action. If you are looking to register your team for the HoopState Fall League,...
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Hoop State Championship (Round 2): Liberty Heights National vs. Liberty Heights Varsity
Two teams that are certainly quite familiar with each other battled it out in the second round of the playoffs and for a chance to compete for a state title. There was no love lost between these two, as you could see that both teams wanted to have a chance to be crowned a champion. Both teams started out a little slow but got things going, as varsity held a narrow 12-11 lead after...
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Hoop State League: Gold Championship
Teams have put in the work and have competed over the last several weeks, as we finally got to the championship weekend of the Hoop State League. On Sunday, we had two divisions looking to take home some honors and continue their success into the season. Liberty Heights and Believe Prep came out and absolutely COMPETED in this game. Both teams going for the championship, these two teams brought...
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Hoop State League: Silver Championship Division
Teams have put in the work and have competed over the last several weeks, as we finally got to the championship weekend of the Hoop State League. On Sunday, we had two divisions looking to take home some honors and continue their success into the season. First off in the silver division, Richmond Jammers and UBU faced off in a very intriguing battle. It was an offensive game in the first half,...
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Dawkins’ Standouts from Day 1 of Hoop State League (Championship Weekend)
By: DeAjai Dawkins 5’11 2022 Kyron Weil (Believe Prep) Kyron earned my unwavering respect after his final game against Word of God. Weil, with that single game, showed me a level of toughness, composure, ball-handling, and team-orientation that proved his competence to me. I believe this is a lead guard that coaches would fawn over. Relentless attacker that gets into the lane and...
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