This weekend, Phenom Hoops will host our second annual City of Oaks Classic in Raleigh, North Carolina. The field is absolutely brimming with talent and each game features an entirely new set of storylines. Yesterday, we wrote about the highly anticipated matchup between Holly Springs and the host team Trinity Academy, but one could truly argue that the opening matchup will make for the most exciting contest. Few teams have been more appealing than Louisburg or Southern Durham during the early stages of the season, yet it'll still be interesting to see their contrasting styles clash on the hardwood.

 

The stars have all aligned for Southern Durham to have an incredibly successful season, from Ricky Council IV transferring over to the uptick in play from their main leaders like Jayvis Harvey, MJ Wilkerson, and Lamar Lightbrown. Harvey has continued to maintain his calm and steady scoring approach, which has allowed him to average a team-high 15 PPG while applying pressure from all levels. Wilkerson offers a nice two-way balance between IQ, skill, and athleticism while being the most efficient interior scorer on the team. There's a lot of buzz surrounding Council, who is ranked fifth in North Carolina and effortlessly scores the ball. He's averaging 13 PPG and continues to make his case as a high-major recruit. Meanwhile, Lightbrown is probably the unsung hero of the group, but currently leads the team in rebounds (8 RPG) and seems to regularly affect every facet of the game.

 

On the other side, it's going to be interesting to see how Elijah Jamison fares against such impressive length and scoring. The point guard is averaging a rugged 31 PPG and 9 RPG, getting to the rim at will and showcasing constant toughness. He's a quality playmaker, but his leadership on this team is defined through his unbelievable nightly scoring display. He was able to average twenty points as a freshman, but has been even more dominant (and efficient) this season. It's difficult to bet against Jamison, as he's capable of going for 50+ with relative ease. This matchup won't be anywhere else all year long, so it would be wise for folks to come watch this one-time showdown this Saturday, as there will be no shortage of excitement.