Phenom’s Palmetto Winter Classic
Day 1 Recap
One of the region’s most talked about holiday basketball tournaments tipped off on Thursday at Ben Lippen School in Columbia, South Carolina. As expected the day was full of great performances, great crowds and a lot of college coaches in attendance.
One of the major factors of the event, prospects got exposure. The action is set to continue on Friday (December 29) at noon for the second round of bracket play. The matchups are going to be great as teams and individuals will be extremely high level.
On Friday, look for more coaches in attendance and more great performances … Let’s look at what happened on Thursday.
Thursday, December 28 Results
Game 1
Village Christian (Fayetteville, NC) – 86
Khuath Gatkouth 21, Travion McCrae 17, Ahmod Baker 13, Derrick Quansah 10, Miles 6, Morgan 6, Dodoo 5, Gacia 3, Higgins 3, Norman 2
Ben Lippen (Columbia, SC) – 56
Javian Bellamy 21, Ryan McCray 18, Will Cureton 11, Gibbs 4, Jones 2
Game 2
Hammond (Columbia, SC) – 69
Lucas Prickett 21, Trent Green 13, Isaiah Washington 12, Burch 7, Lipsitz 6, Wilson 3, Canty 3, Diaz 2
Christian Academy (Myrtle Beach, SC) – 58
Davis Guyton 17, Michael Green 15, Matthews 8, Woods 8, Johnson 7, Fulford 3
Game 3
Conway (Conway, SC) – 42
Jaylen Moody 13, Darren Grainger 11, Jimmy Nichols 10, Moody 6, Cooper 2
Freedom Christian (Fayetteville, NC) – 40
Milos Stajcic 13, Murray 8, Harvey 7, Ray 4, Carter 4, Toussaint 1
Game 4
Independence (Charlotte, NC) – 68
Andra McKee 23, Raja Milton 10, Jamarius Burton 10, Smith 9, Pauldin 8, Mobley 5, Allen 3
West Charlotte (Charlotte, NC) – 49
Patrick Williams 12, Cartier Jernigan 10, Devontez Walker 10, Koonce 9, Gilbert 6, Terrell 2
Game 5
Miller School (St Crozet, VA) – 74
Jaylin Reed 18, Aundre Hyatt 13, Tariq Balogun 11, Deshaun Wade 11, Heard 9, Rice 7, Brown 3, Tumanoff 2
United Faith Christian (Charlotte, NC) – 69
Jaylen Sims 23, Rafael Jenkins 16, Nate Springs 11, Hankton 9, Wolfe 5, Swilling 4, Hill 1
Game 6
Blythewood (Blythewood, SC) – 64
Jonathan Breeland 25, Robert Braswell 17, Travis Thompson 10, Squirewell 3, Williams 2, Manuel 2
AC Flora (Columbia, SC) – 60
Daniel Harper Finney 13, DJ Sinkler 11, Diamonte Brown 10, Foulks 7, Jamison 7, Mobley 2
Day 1 College Coaches Watch
St Bonaventure (A10), Youngstown State (Horizon), Winthrop (Big South), Furman (SoCon), Charleston Southern (Big South), South Carolina State (MEAC), The Citadel (SoCon), Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt), Hampton (MEAC), Erskine (D2), Newberry (D2) & MORE!
Tomorrow’s Schedule (Day 2 – Friday, December 29)
12 PM West Charlotte (NC) Vs. Freedom Christian (NC)
130 PM Ben Lippen (SC) Vs. Christian Academy (SC)
3 PM United Faith (NC) Vs. Independence (NC)
5 PM Miller School (VA) Vs. Conway (SC)
630 PM Village Christian (NC) Vs. AC Flora (SC)
8 PM Hammond (SC) Vs. Blythewood (SC)
Player Standouts
6’8 2019 Patrick Williams (West Charlotte) – A top 100 prospect coming into the event, Williams may still be underrated on the national scale. He has all the tools with a unique blend of size, vision, handles and ridiculous explosion. Williams is a highest level type recruit. He finished day 1 with 10 points, 8 boards, and 5 assists.
6’7 2019 Khuath Gatkouth (Village Christian) – One of the most under-recruited players throughout the region, Gatkouth is a long and athletic wing. He has a complete game with a handle to get downhill or act as a secondary ball handler. He is a versatile defender, a highly active rebounder and a 40% 3-point shooter. High-level schools should be looking here, he is a Top 100 type prospect in the 2019 class. Finished Day 1 with 21 points, 9 boards, 5 assists & 3 blocks
6’2 unsigned senior Javian Bellamy (Ben Lippen) – Bellamy showed to be a tough player, he was a good defender, rebounded his position well and scored the ball at all 3-levels. He is a severely under-recruited type player as he doesn’t have anything going on. Local D2s should be salivating about this one, he makes winning plays. Finished Day 1 with 21 points, 11 rebounds
6’2 2019 AJ McKee (Independence) – McKee proved to be a highly potent, and explosive, scorer of the ball. He has deep range and touch, but he is also able to attack the rim and finish with contact. He is under the radar but is on a warpath to be recruited. McKee is a threat to go off for 30 on any given night (as he has already done multiple times this season). Finished Day 1 with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
6’2 unsigned senior Jonathan Breeland (Blythewood) – The game of Day 1 may have gone to Breeland. After his performance, he had the likes of St Bonaventure, South Carolina State and Citadel inquiring about him, and rightfully so. Somehow, Breeland has no offers (D1 or D2), it is astonishing. He is a very strong guard who plays fast and with great vision. He finished with 25 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds.
6’9 unsigned senior Milos Stajcic (Freedom Christian) – There is something about skilled bigs that really piques the interest of all in attendance. Stajcic showed the full offensive arsenal in this one. He had multiple 3s off the catch, he had back to the basket footwork & hands, he was able to rip through and get to the rim and he showed the ability to create his own shot or finish off the catch. Great performance…
Other Standouts
6’6” 2018 Lucas Prickett (Hammond) – 21 points, 7 boards, 2 assists
6’6” 2019 Davis Guyton (Christian Academy) – 17 points, 6 boards, 5 made 3s
6’9” 2018 Robert Braswell (Blythewood) – 17 points, 8 boards, 3 blocks
6’6” 2019 Daniel Harper Finney (AC Flora) – 14 points, 8 boards
6’6” UNCW signee Jaylen Sims (United Faith) – 23 points, 8 boards, 3 assists
6’3” 2018 Jaylin Reed (Miller School) 18 points, 8 boards, 4 made 3s
5’11” 2018 Ryan McCray (Ben Lippen) 18 points, 4 assists
6’2 2019 Travian McCray (Village Christian) 17 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals