The Wing Man Report: A Primer for 2021

<p>The Wing Man Report returns to ring in 2021 with all things HoopState. Here’s a look at a quick recap of how some teams in the state of North Carolina did in 2020 Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach this past week. </p> <h5><strong>North Carolina teams at the Beach Ball Classic </strong></h5> <h6><strong>Greensboro Day School (2-2)</strong></h6> <p>The Greensboro Day School Bengals went 2-2 in the Beach Ball Classic but they got strong performances out of [player_tooltip player_id="577888" first="Jaydon" last="Young"], [player_tooltip player_id="848080" first="Michael" last="Zanoni"], [player_tooltip player_id="887046" first="Tyler" last="Lundblade"], [player_tooltip player_id="577847" first="Nikolas" last="Graves"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1032837" first="C.J." last="Collins"]. They won their first two contests before falling by one point to Milton (GA), eventual champions and falling 54-53 to Oak Ridge (FL) in the 3rd Place game. Zanoni produced 14.0 ppg while making 11 3-pointers across four games, showing his stroke as a sharpshooter. Young led the way with 16.0 ppg. After posting 9.0 ppg in the first two, Graves went down with an ankle injury and missed a bulk of the final two games. Lundblade showed off his three-level scoring ability while also knocking down five 3-pointers. They’ll be a tough opponent in conference play in the state in January.</p> <h6><strong>Combine Academy (2-1)</strong></h6> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="574405" first="AJ" last="Smith"] went off for 31 points off the bench for Combine Academy to boost them to a 65-57 victory over iSchool (TX). [player_tooltip player_id="854888" first="Robert" last="Dillingham"] finished with 16 points, two blocks and two assists as well to show off his talent in the backcourt. They followed that ip with a 72-55 victory over the Baltimore Panthers (made up of St. Frances Academy) to get a marquee win over a top program in the DMV. [player_tooltip player_id="838026" first="Mike" last="Dudley"] and Dillingham led the way with 17 points apiece. Catawba-bound guard [player_tooltip player_id="932025" first="Kris" last="Robinson"] had 14 points on four made 3-pointers as well. </p> <p>In their third and final game against West Oaks Academy (FL), four players finished scoring in double-figures. Dillingham finished with 18 points, Smith finished with 16 points, big man [player_tooltip player_id="848067" first="Patrick" last="Wessler"] had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists and Robinson had 11 points. They’re certainly a scrappy defensive group with plenty of star power to go around from top to bottom of their rotation. </p> <h6><strong>Cannon School (2-1)</strong></h6> <p>Cannon School took a tough loss to Calvary Christian (FL) to open the Beach Ball Classic but they bounced back with two victories after that. [player_tooltip player_id="932457" first="Jarvis" last="Moss"] was still his usual self, showing why he’s recently earned an offer from Stanford, with 20 points on four made 3-pointers against Calvary Christian. He made 10 3-pointers across their three contests. [player_tooltip player_id="577868" first="DJ" last="Nix"] came out of a shooting slump in their final game against Cape Fear Christian Academy. He made 8-of-11 3-pointers to tie for second place for made 3-pointers in the Beach Ball Classic and finished with 31 points to lead Cannon to a 66-61 victory. </p> <p>Fans also got a glimpse at [player_tooltip player_id="848077" first="Karon" last="Boyd"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1030010" first="Austin" last="Swartz"]. Boyd put up 14 points and 12 rebounds in their win over CFCA as well.  In the game prior, he put up 17 points and nine rebounds in a 71-49 victory over North Myrtle Beach. He’s a strong presence around the rim especially on the offensive glass. Swartz averaged 9.0 ppg off the bench for Cannon School.</p> <h6><strong>Cape Fear Christian Academy (1-2)</strong></h6> <p>Cape Fear Christian Academy was an impressive group in the field of Beach Ball Classic teams. They played a close one to close out their Beach Ball Classic trip, falling 66-61 to Cannon School. [player_tooltip player_id="848069" first="Cinque" last="Lemon"] led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds while going toe-to-toe with some top prospects. [player_tooltip player_id="848090" first="Tristin" last="Harkins"] is coming into his own at the point guard spot and [player_tooltip player_id="1104961" first="Caden" last="Bell"] is showing his development as more than a slasher at the combo guard spot.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="787670" first="Amari" last="Pearson"] is an electric prospect that’s learning to be effective on a consistent basis. He’s due to become their top defender before season’s end. [player_tooltip player_id="747011" first="Jabare" last="Perry"] is coming along in the post and learning to play with pace as well. As he conditions and figures out where to be in the paint, look for him to blossom for this squad. </p> <h5><strong>Public High School Season Starts This Week</strong></h5> <p>The public high school season for basketball kicks off for some areas this week. Here’s a look at some games to keep an eye on this week:</p> <h6><strong>1/5 Apex Friendship @ Middle Creek - 6:30pm</strong></h6> <h6><strong>1/6 Hertford County @ JH Rose - 7:30pm</strong></h6> <h6><strong>1/7 Trinity Academy Raleigh @ Durham Academy - 7pm</strong></h6> <h6><strong>1/8 Fuquay-Varina @ Middle Creek - 6:30pm</strong></h6> <h6><strong>1/9 South Granville @ Farmville Central - 6pm</strong></h6> <p>&nbsp;</p>