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Southern Durham or Ben L. Smith: Who Will Claim the 3A Championship?
Now that we’ve reached the final stage of postseason play for 3A, we can preview the championship matchup between Southern Durham and Ben L. Smith. In our initial previews, Smith was labeled as a darkhorse contender. At the same time, we referred to Southern as “arguably the most appealing squad in the field, as they have a well-structured team and the best player, Jackson Keith, in the entire...
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Deserving of Recognition: Phenom March Showcase
There was plenty of young talent on the court this past weekend at the Phenom March Showcase, as we were introduced to several new names. Here is a list of players that earned our recognition from the event, and what was said about them. 2028 Avery Scales (Team United GSO) “5’8 ‘28 Avery Scales (Team United GSO) continues to make visible strides in his progression. He showed an improved handle,...
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Player Standouts at Phenom March Showcase (Part Two)
5’10 ’29 Ant Gray (Team CP3) Although still coming back from injury, it’s easy to see the level of IQ and poise Gray brings to a team. He’s an extremely smart, skilled guard who offers terrific balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Gray handles the ball very well and doesn’t allow defenders to speed him up. He touches the paint, creates for others, and picks his spots as a scoring...
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Player Standouts at Phenom March Showcase
6’4 ’26 Adam Grier (Team FLY) Arguably the most impressive 17U performer in attendance, Grier was simply terrific throughout the weekend. At 6-foot-4 with excellent IQ and natural playmaking instincts, he’s able to cause a ton of problems for opponents. Grier excels at getting downhill, touching the paint, and finishing or making sharp reads as a passer. He sees the floor extremely well when...
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Lady Phenom covers Charlotte Dream Elite Media Day
Lady Phenom Hoops went out Sunday afternoon to Huntersville to check in at the Charlotte Dream Elite Media Day, a program that will be featured throughout the summer on Phenom Hoops and be a must-see organization throughout. It was a great opportunity to learn new names and get an early viewing. Here is what was said from the media day about a few of the players. 2032 Lilyana Green is a scrappy,...
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Top Five Forwards/Bigs from Phenom March Showcase
2029 Grant Duggins (CP3) Duggins has been really impressive over the last two weeks. For a prospect in the Class of 2029, Duggins has an incredible feel for the game and still presents upside with his overall game. At 6’8, he does an exceptional job in knowing how to operate in the post and in the paint, showing footwork, feel, and touch around the basket. He also has excellent timing on the...
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Top Five Guards from Phenom March Showcase
2030 Tavion Lawrence (Reidsville Tigers) Tough, gritty guard that impressed our scouts. Good positional size, has a nose for the ball, and plays hard and is active in a variety of areas on the court. He was strong out in transition, attacked off the dribble, and proved to be a very good playmaker for his team throughout the event. Feel like he will be a name you hear more about. 2026 Adam Grier...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at March Showcase
2031 Chase Neeley (Kernersville Bulls) Neeley was one that caught my attention with his handles, playmaking, and creativity. Neeley has intriguing length to go along with a good overall skillset. He attacked downhill, pushed in transition, was able to showcase the ability to create and score effectively. A young name to keep an eye on. 2030 Michai Sutton (Reidsville Tigers) Sutton is a name you...
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Sad Sam’s 3rd Round Recap and Regional Semi Picks
Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the March-coming-in-like-a-lion Piedmont! The Great One is here to recap the Sectional Finals and give the Ol’ Cubic Zirconia Ball’s (can’t afford crystal) Final Four participants. As usual, there are a couple of major storylines that broke during the last round, one on the court and one off. We will get to those shortly...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Nate Malosa
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Cam Flippen
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Jasean Williams
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Justin Monden Enters the Transfer Portal
Given the changes throughout college sports, countless players enter the transfer portal every year. Many leave their current situation to reach new heights or attempt to reestablish themselves at a different level. Among the latest additions to the portal is Justin Monden of Georgia Southwestern. Most folks should also remember him from his days at Heritage High School, where he shined as a...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Rodmik Allen
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Beyond Basketball: The Significance of Mental Health for Athletes
Things are constantly changing in all facets of life. Times are different and that’s evident at every turn. Youth athletics are no exception. In the last decade alone, we’ve watched the travel basketball landscape shift from a highly competitive setup with terrific structure into something else completely. While the general positives and negatives can be saved for later, the pressure placed on...
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Stock Rising Seasons: 2028 Micah Gunter
Player: Micah GunterClass: 2028School: Greensboro Day The high school season has wrapped up for many players and that allows us at Phenom Hoops to take a look back at players that some would say have seen their stock rise after a strong season. So let’s dive into a few players that will be prospects to keep an eye on this upcoming summer and down the road. It may be hard to think of a freshman...
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Khamani Wertz Hits the Transfer Portal
Given the changes throughout college sports, countless players enter the transfer portal every year. Many leave their current situation to reach new heights or attempt to reestablish themselves at a different level. Among the latest additions to the portal is Khamani Wertz of Belmont-Abbey. Folks will also likely remember him from his days at Carmel Christian, where he played a vital role for a...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Mason Dobie
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Can Anyone Stop New Hanover?
The NCHSAA Playoffs carried onward last night as the third round of matchups commenced. There was little surprise on the East side after each of the favorites secured wins in their respective games. Meanwhile, the West side caused an uproar. Due to an eligibility issue, top-seeded Lake Norman was forced to forfeit their game against Myers Park (and the rest of the playoffs). This development...
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Stock Rising Seasons: 2026 Dacen Petty
Player: Dacen PettyClass: 2026School: Christ School Stats: 12.5ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, 2.1spg The high school season has wrapped up for many players and that allows us at Phenom Hoops to take a look back at players that some would say have seen their stock rise after a strong season. So let’s dive into a few players that will be prospects to keep an eye on this upcoming summer and down the road....
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College Worthy Prospects Still Available in the Class of 2025 (Part 1)
2025 6’6 Christian Ananaba (SE Raleigh) Ananaba is one that truly blows my mind, as he should have multiple college programs recruiting him. He has clearly proven not only his game so far but his upside as well. At 6’6, Ananaba plays with an absolute motor, one that can be seen on both ends of the court to go along with his ability to be such a versatile piece offensively. He can play multiple...
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Elite 8 NCHSAA Playoffs are SET… Who do you have winning?
Boys 1A Elite 8 Matchups: Washington Co. vs. Voyager Academy Bishop McGuinness vs. Corvian Comm. Northampton Co. vs. Southern Wake Queens Grant vs. South Stokes 2A Elite 8 Matchups: Farmville Central vs. West Bladen Reidsville vs. Salisbury Northwood vs. SW Onslow Lincoln Charter vs. Bandys 3A Elite 8 Matchups: Swansboro vs. Person Ashbrook vs. Hunter Hus JH Rose vs. Southern Durham Ben L. Smith...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Alek Kornacki
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class....
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Can Southern Wake Academy Win It All?
Today, the North Carolina public school playoffs will resume with the third round of games. Each classification has 16 teams left and plenty of potential outcomes on the horizon. In 1A, there’s still a slew of legitimate contenders with five of the six top-seeded teams remaining. While it’s easy to lean on the favorites, it feels like not enough people are talking about Southern Wake Academy and...
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How Far Can Huss Go?
Today, the North Carolina public school playoffs will resume with the third round of games. Each classification has 16 teams remaining and plenty of potential outcomes on the horizon. Although there are several contenders in 3A, Huss is making noise as one of the most intriguing teams in the classification. They’ve defeated Statesville and North Lincoln, and will now face off against High Point...
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Oak Grove looking to continue its magical ride
What an eventful few weeks it has been for Oak Grove… not only needing two overtimes to take down Kings Mountain to start the playoffs, but they are coming off a thrilling buzzer-beating win on the road against East Henderson. Now, they will be hitting the road again as they hope to knock off another big-time team on the road in Crest and continue their magical run. Though, looking at this...
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Still Available: 2025 6’6 Jaevian Alston (Word of God)
Player: Jaevian AlstonClass: 2025Height: 6’6School: Word of God Even though there are several names off the board for the Class of 2025, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t talent available here in North Carolina. Looking around the state, there are still prospects that can help programs at the next level, and one of them has to be 2025 6’6 Jaevian Alston from Word of God. Alston has been a huge...
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Sad Sam’s 2nd Round Recap and Sectional Finals Winners
Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the chilly again Piedmont! The Great One is here to recap the 2nd round and give you the regional participants. The Sadster posted what was a disappointing 52-12 mark for him. He dropped 2 picks in OT (Tabor, Maiden) and lost another on 20 seed HP Central’s buzzer beater over 4 seed Robinson, bringing his total to 158-34, or almost 83%. His best...
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Real Rivals: Dudley Hosts Smith in Third Round Matchup
On Tuesday, the North Carolina public school playoffs will resume with the third round of games. Each classification has 16 teams remaining and plenty of potential outcomes on the horizon. One could argue that 3A is the most unpredictable bracket of the four, as there is no definite favorite like the others. There are several meaningful matchups, but it’s pretty obvious to recognize the...
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2027 6’9 CJ Rosser earns North Carolina offer
It seems that North Carolina is looking to make some waves early on in its backyard with some of the premier talents from the area. We recently wrote about 2027 LJ Smith being in touch with UNC and making a recent visit to Chapel Hill. They also have had their eyes on 2027 King Gibson who is now at Montverde. And let’s not forget that there have been reports of the Tar Heels checking in on...
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