Northwood Temple Open Gym & Season Preview
The Northwood Temple Eagles lost several players after last season due to graduation and transfers but after seeing them on Friday night, they clearly have rebuilt quickly and have a team that will be a force in the conference as well as the state.
Senior Forward Manny Bates: The NC State commit will need to have a bigtime season if the Eagles plan to be a top team in the state. Bates is an outstanding shot blocker and rebounder and if he can stay out of foul trouble he has the potential to be a 20, 10 and 5 player every night.
Senior Forward Ian Steere: Fresh off of his commitment to NC State, Ian showed that he’s far content with just going to college but instead that he’s hungry to do damage this season. This may sound crazy but he’s one of the hardest dunkers that I have seen, just about every time he finishes above the rim you will think he’s going to pull the rim of the backboard.
Junior Guard John Michael Wright: UNCG was in the building to see John and it wasn’t much of a surprise that he dominated just about every guard he matched up with. He can score the ball at a high rate, is athletic, doesn’t get rushed into anything, and has a great IQ for the game. He’s received interest from: Kansas State, Wichita State, and many others.
Junior Wing Brandon Franklin: This young man has the potential to be special with a doubt, he’s in the 6’8-6’9 range with the perimeter skills to play the wing spot. He still needs add some muscle to his frame but he has a nice feel for the game, he has all the tools to play on the next level.
Freshman Guard Kellen: It didn’t take long to see what he specialty, this young man can flat out shoot it! He doesn’t try and to do much and has a nice feel for the game at a very young age, one to keep an eye on.