Things are starting to heat up as we conclude the first month of the travel ball season. Although shoe-sponsored teams haven’t begun their respective circuits, the Phenom Hoops League is already going strong. In addition to interleague play, a considerable number of PHL teams have taken advantage of the opportunity to compete against all types of independent and shoe-circuit opponents. This past weekend marked the second event counted towards official records and standings for our high school age groups (15U-17U). Unsurprisingly, Team Pittman (formerly Team FLY) is currently in first place at 6-2 (18 points) and already shaping up as one of the most noteworthy squads in the 15U Division. Let’s take a closer look at their pieces…
Although the roster is littered with talent, this group ultimately comes down to the brotherly duo of 6’1 Noah Dulin and 5’10 Draeton Nance. It’s easy to see that Dulin has gotten stronger and more explosive while continuing to progress his all-around game. The lefty has a smooth shooting stroke, reliable penetration sense, and nice feel as a playmaker. He’s comfortable initiating the offense or playing without the ball. Dulin motor and physicality allow him to make a constant impact as a defender and rebounder. Meanwhile, Nance is a guy who simply knows how to lead a team. He’s smart, tough, and polished. Nance does a terrific job of dictating the action and asserting himself in big moments. He scores from all levels, sets up others, and consistently outworks opponents to force turnovers and secure extra possessions.
While most of this group returned from last season, 6’6 Shane Lucas-Walker is already shaping up to be a nice addition as a versatile interior piece. Given his status as the biggest guy on the roster, he does a lot of work inside the paint. He utilizes his body well to secure position on the block and play through contact as a finisher. That being said, Lucas-Walker is more than capable of spacing the floor or attacking off the bounce. His useful blend of size and skill should make him an x-factor for this group.
Given the value of guard play, each of 6’0 Billy Martin, 5’11 Mason Johnson, and 5’10 Ryley Rodriguez fulfill meaningful roles for this group. They are a trio of tough, scrappy, well-rounded guards who can toggle between ball-handling duties and applying scoring pressure without the ball. Each guy understands how to naturally fill in the gaps and assert themselves within the flow of the action.
Rounding out this group, guys like 6’1 Justin Haggler and 6’0 Nashon Smith play critical roles for Team Pittman. Although he’s still getting his footing in the travel ball season, Haggler is arguably the most lethal shooting threat on this roster. He’s long, wiry, and knows how to find open space. Haggler possesses nice range and the ability to hit shots off the catch or bounce. On the other hand, Smith is one of the newer additions to this group and already stands out as a meaningful utility piece. His motor and physicality allow him to make a constant impact without necessarily needing a ton of shots.