NGS Hoops Rock City Classic: Storylines & Standouts

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17U: [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Edwards 17U is the Real Deal</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Edwards proved their strength on Saturday in a tough battle against No Guts No Glory in one of the featured matchups on Day 2 of the Rock City Classic. [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] showed their depth and grit as [player_tooltip player_id='1602914' first='Tyler' last='Barnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1145483' first='CJ' last='Alston'] led the early charge for them. Barnes showed off his dominance on both ends right away with a few quick steals and tough finishes at the rim to build the lead for his squad. Their stifling defense and jump-trapping style of play forced No Guts No Glory to take some tough shots and though they kept things close, it was some big shots from Alston and the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1220103' first='David' last='Ellis II'] off the bench that proved to make a big difference in the end. Ellis is a lethal weapon for this squad off the bench. He patiently waited his turn and as soon as his number was called, he showed his impact with a quick finish on the offensive end followed by some big blocks defensively that changed the momentum of the game in an instant. He's slowly finding his way on a deep squad that also features [player_tooltip player_id='1154635' first='Randall' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='854919' first='Jamal' last='Townsend'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As evidenced in the title game, [player_tooltip player_id='1046006' first='Jordan' last='Vick'] (ECU commit) is a shot-maker on the perimeter that you don't want to let get hot. He's a confident lead guard that knows how to keep pace with his ability off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:html --> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8i3DAUCMYYg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16U: [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Davis Guards Showed Their Growth But [player_tooltip player_id='1682378' first='Rassell' last='Young'] Stole the Show for [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Davis made an impressive trek to the Gold Bracket title game in the 2025 Division at the Rock City Classic that saw a back-and-forth battle between some top guards in the 2025 and 2026 class in the championship game. [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] 15U 3SSB came out on top while playing up on the 16U stage, securing a close 70-65 victory in the final led by the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1682378' first='Rassell' last='Young']. It's easy to see why he's considered a top name in the class as he led his squad to a championship while playing 16U. He's a name out of Mallard Creek High to get to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1226601' first='Jiyoun' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220108' first='Quan' last='Pittman'] are two names that showed their growth with [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'] Davis. Williams sported a much bigger frame and a much bouncier pep in his step that showed off his ability to get to the rim off the bounce and make things happen in space. He was equally as imposing on the defensive end as well with his strength and length. Pittman was also another guard that showed his growth in their backcourt. He's slowly working his way off the WatchList with his play on both ends of the floor. He's a lead guard that can guard opposing floor generals while pushing the pace in his own right off rebounds and tough takes to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Names to Track in North Carolina</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220145"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1220145' first='William' last='Monk II'] was an impressive face in the Carolina Swarm Monk backcourt at the event all weekend long. He showed off an ability to operate off the bounce and an impressive stroke from behind the arc with his size at 6-foot-3. He plays aggression on both ends of the floor that's hard not to notice right away. He's a 2025 prospect that's slowly working his way off the watch list with his play on the grassroots scene.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1917812"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1917812' first='Denelly' last='Coppedge'] is an athletic name to get to know out of the 252 area with NC Invasion Basketball Club. He made a splash on the JV scene with Greene Central High, where he also has a bright future on the hardwood as well. He showed off his ability to play above the rim on both ends of the floor with relentless energy and showed he could finish with authority offensively just as well. He's another prospect due to see himself come off the watch list with a continued productive summer.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1917793"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1917793' first='Tae' last='Barron'] was another name in the Carolina Swarm Monk backcourt that showed off his ability as an aggressive driver and shooter on the perimeter. He picked his spots of when to let others make things happen and when to take it himself as a patient lead guard on the 2025 stage. He'll be one to keep an eye on with Wilson Prep Academy as they're coming off yet another NCHSAA state title.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1917811"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1917811' first='Jarvis' last='Williams'] is another name out of CB Aycock High to keep an eye on this spring/summer with NC Invasion Basketball Club. He's an impressive wing prospect at 6-foot-3 as well that showed he could knock down shots on the perimeter at volume and also protect the rim with his length/athleticism at the rim. He was another name that earned his way onto the watchlist following the event with his performance at the Rock City Classic.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643cc3d7154ef"} /-->