This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for our annual Phenom Challenge. The venue holds a lot of history and countless fond memories, and that only continued during this most recent two-day stretch. There was an impressive mix of notable teams and individuals on display, including several of the top programs in South Carolina. It’s no secret that Upward Stars has put out a ton of talent over the years, and their Columbia squad has been right at the forefront. This article will highlight Upward Stars Columbia 2029 and their route to winning a championship. Let’s take a closer look…
The young group was utterly dominant throughout their time at the Phenom Challenge, rolling opponents by an average margin of 25.3 PPG in their first three contests. They met up with Heat Elite (who were undefeated in this event and during their prior showing this season) in the title game, and narrowly edged out an impressive victory.
In terms of roster construction, everyone contributes. However, guys like Prince Earle, Tykayvian Smith, and Jordan Hall consistently found ways to set the tone for this group. Earle provides quality size, playmaking, and scoring polish. He plays hard to be disruptive defensively, force turnovers, and make hustle plays, but also reliably generates offense with the ball in his hands. Earle is at his best when getting downhill and applying pressure as a penetrating threat, where he’s able to finish through contact or set up others in scoring positions. In a similar vein, Smith is a tough, rugged guard who overwhelms opponents with his motor and physicality. He’s a strong defender with a knack for forcing turnovers and applying pressure in transition. Rounding out this group, Hall has the size and athleticism to cause problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. He finishes well around the basket, but also makes his presence felt as a rebounder and interior defender. That being said, this group has a variety of useful pieces and the ability to beat teams in several different ways.