Week 1 Outstanding Performers: NCISAA
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The first full week of basketball in North Carolina has kicked off, and we’ve seen some exciting matchups and some outstanding performances. Let’s take a look at some of the top performers of the week. Zeke Brock NC #153 SG…
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Continue ReadingThe first full week of basketball in North Carolina has kicked off, and we’ve seen some exciting matchups and some outstanding performances. Let’s take a look at some of the top performers of the week.
Zeke Brock Zeke Brock 5’10” | SG Cape Fear Christian Academy | 2024 State NC has been on fire like someone dumped gasoline on him this week. CFCA opened the season hosting a two game tournament, and he opened with a 47 point, 7 assist outburst against South Wake Homeschool, including the game winning free throws on a late foul call. The Eagles came up short to Fayetteville Christian the next day, but Brock still poured in 32 points. He is a pure scorer, from all three levels on the floor despite his size. He has knocked down threes, gotten to his spots from the mid-range, and been efficient in his opportunities from the stripe. Keep watching him this year for some gaudy box scores and more examples why he is a lights out bucket getter.
Avion Pinner Avion Pinner 6’9″ | PF Concord Academy | 2023 State NC has been a great interior scorer so far this year, both down low and in the midrange areas of the floor. He is 79% from inside the arc in two games (15/19), and has been an all-around threat. He has crashed the boards well and been good at kicking out and making the right read while driving to pick up some assists. He hit a big time three on Thursday against Carolina International as they pulled away late, showcasing his improved outside shot as well. He is an absolute Swiss army knife on the court, whether its scoring, rebounding, playmaking or defense. Look for him to continue to make a strong impression all year as he poses a matchup problem for almost every school he faces. Can our wings guard him? No, he’s too strong, hard nosed and tall. Should our bigs guard him? No, he’s too quick, physical, and active. He will be a frontcourt’s nightmare every outing.
Highlights
It’s not every day you see a 5’10 guard pull out a triple double, but JJ Moore JJ Moore 5’9″ | PG Quality Education | 2024 NC did that on Tuesday to open the season against Lincoln Charter. He finished with 18P/10R/10A, highlighting his ability to get downhill and be a good passer and scorer out of these situations. He is skilled offensively with an array of tricks to start the break and find his teammates in transition, and had some help with Pinner and Peter Asceric Peter Asceric 6’10” | C Concord Academy | 2023 State NC holding a big time size advantage over the Eagles. Moore didn’t follow Tuesday up with a good game Friday statistically, posting an egg in the points column, but he made some big time passes to help Concord Academy escape a scrappy Carolina International team in the fourth quarter. He is a gamer and a winner, and will be a big time guy offensively for them this year.
Joe Rhyne
Joe Rhyne
We want to take space and highlight the best guys each week, and a new name that stood out was Joe Rhyne, a junior guard at Gaston Christian. Rhyne put up 20 and 14 points in two big time wins for Gaston Christian. He is a big time three point shooter, going 45% over his first two games (10/22). Mostly playing from spots and passes given to him, that kind of elite shooting is necessary on any college roster and if he can keep shooting like this, his profile should be raised a bit. He was able to add 6 steals over the course of the two games as well. He will be a new name to monitor over the course of the season.
Shane Anthony
Shane Anthony
Anthony is looking to be a breakout piece of the Crossroads Christian team looking for a 1A state title this year, and his first week showed why we should keep an eye on him. His first game he put up 21 points and 7 assists, as well as 3 steals. He shot the ball well from deep (3/6), and looked good all around the perimeter with his playmaking and shooting. His second game was an anomaly as he only scored 3 points on a singular three pointer, but still helped his team out with 7 more assists and 6 steals. This game showcased his resiliency and ability to do everything, as on a night where his shot wasn’t going down, he still made winning plays and kept himself on the court; a college coaches dream.
Cary Christian was a squad that lost a lot of pieces last year, but Zach Cullen Zach Cullen 6’3″ | SG Word Of God | 2025 State NC looks like he is going to be the guy now. After a solid 14 point opener, Cullen got loose for 31 points on 14/20 shooting Friday night against Thales Rolesville. He was able to attack the interior with force as well as live in the mid range. He also pulled down 10 rebounds, 3 of them offensive, and had 3 assists and steals as well. He will be an all around guy with his blend of interior scoring, ability to crash the glass as a guard, and a solid jumper as well. Look for him to keep making noise over the winter.