Greensboro Day School
Coach Freddy Johnson
By Rick Lewis
Greensboro Day is no longer just a state and regional power, it is now a national power and Coach Freddy Johnson has led his team to Dick's Sporting Good National High School Tournament in 2015 and 2017. Last season, Greensboro Day won its 9th NCISAA 3A state championship defeating Wesleyan Christian 63-60. Coach Freddy Johnson is now entering his 41st season at Greensboro Day and has a winning record of 992-283 and is the winningest coach in North Carolina high school basketball history. Winning is synonymous to Coach Freddy Johnson and Greensboro Day and this year will be no difference. Greensboro Day graduated four players from last season and it's hard to lose the likes of 6'7 JP Moorman (Temple), 6'1 Jordan Perkins (NC Central), 6'5 Solomon Smith (Queens University) and 6'3 Pearce Landry. That being said, don't feel too sorry for Greensboro Day. They return five players from last season and four players have transferred in. To put it mildly, Greensboro Day has reloaded and will have one of their deepest and more talented teams in their storied history. Now, let's take a quick look at the roster of Greensboro Day.
The Dynamic Duo
6'5' 18 John Newman
John Newman committed to Clemson of the ACC is a legit top 100 player nationally. He is currently ranked 5th in the absolutely loaded in the North Carolina 2018 class. Newman is a long athletic wing guard and is one of the top two-way players in the state. The southpaw has an excellent midrange jump shot and is terrific in transition. That being said, we strongly feel Newman is one of the best on ball defender and team defensive players in the state, along with teammate Will Dillard. Newman is blessed with tremendous athleticism that is equally matched by his skill set and high basketball IQ.
6'2 '18 Will Dillard
Will Dillard has built a lofty reputation as one of the state's premier defenders in the state. His 'on the ball' defensive technique is picture perfect as he sits low and hands are always up and wide. The southpaw is blessed with extraordinary bounce and is one of the more explosive players in the state. Dillard has worked extremely hard on his midrange jumper and will be a high priority for mid majors and above. In our opinion, Dillard is the perfect teammate. He doesn't have to have the ball in his hands to be effective. In our opinion, Dillard simply 'gets it.' He is all about team success and is willing to sacrifice individual accolades for winning. You just can't ask for a better prospect! Dillard has offers from Wake Forest, College of Charleston, UNC-Greensboro, Charlotte, ODU, Georgia Southern and East Tennessee State.
A Mismatch Problem
6'9 '19 Mike Fowler
We've been a fan of Mike Fowler for quite some time. We're taking about a high academic player that has advanced perimeter skills for his size/position. Fowler has a soft shooting touch from the 3-point line and is extremely crafty in the paint. He can go over either shoulder in the post and has a nifty up and under move as well. What Fowler lacks in high level athleticism, he more than makes with his advanced fundamentals, high basketball IQ, and great feel for the game. Fowler sports offers from ECU and Hampton, but with his high GPA look for high academic schools to get involved sooner rather than later.'
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The Newcomers
6'3 '21 Carson McCorkle
Carson McCorkle is already in the conversation as one of the top freshman players in the state, if not the best. He is blessed with an advanced skill set that is beyond his years. You simply won't find many players that combines his basketball IQ, knowledge, skill set and ability to make winning plays, not to mention an above athleticism too boot! He has already received offers from NC State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Wichita State and Iowa. (Not too shabby for a freshman!)
6'1 '18 Tripp Greene
Tripp Greene is your consummate team player. He has an advanced skill set and high basketball IQ. While he averaged 18 PPG last season at Forsyth Country Day, he is one of the most unselfish and team players you will find. We have always been impressed with his style of play, although he can be too unselfish at times. He is willing to sacrifice individual accolades for team success and should be a perfect complement to Coach Freddy Johnson's team first approach philosophy. One thing is for certain, Greene is a low risk high return player and is cerebral play at the guard position will be crucial this season. Greene is also a high academic player and is getting interest from Ivy League Schools.
6'7 '19 Nicholas Evtimov
Talk about family pedigree, his father played at UNC and his uncle played at NC State. Evtimov is a highly skilled power forward that has soft passer friendly hands. He is a willing passer out of the post and has nifty footwork in the paint. He has an excellent up and under move on the low post and has mastered the pump fake to get opposing defenders off their feet.
6'5 '19 Noah Dunn
Noah Dunn can easily take over the role vacated by Solomon Smith. Dunn is a high-energy blue-collar worker. He plays with a high motor and gives maximum effort on both ends of the court. Dunn is excellent in transition and is continuously making one hustle play after another. We've been a fan of Dunn for quite some time. He has a relentless work ethic and is the type of player that will make countless positive plays that often won't and don't show up in the box score.
Best of the Rest
6'5 '18 Alex Michael
Shooters translate and Alex Michael's ability to consistently hit 3-pointers will keep opposing teams from playing zone and will open things up for the Greensboro Day offense. In our opinion, Michael may be the player that steps up and makes game winning shots.
6'3 '19 Austin Inge
Austin Inge may be the team's utility guy this season. Inge is a solid offensive player, but will help anchor a strong defensive presence at the guard position. He has bought into the team first approach and will provide quality minutes at the guard position. He's a defensive stopper and his on the ball defense will come to play in tight games in the closing minutes.
6'5 '20 Cason Pierce
Cason Pierce is a fundamentally sound player with a high basketball IQ. He will provide quality depth for an unbelievable talented roster.