Phenom MDC: Hoop State Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops saw plenty of action last weekend at the Phenom Memorial Day Classic in Rock Hill, SC. Let's take a look at some of the players from the Hoops State we came across while in attendance here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>McNeil Playing With Local Team: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978128,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/0D98113B-B476-4164-9F5E-137805F7E04E.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/0D98113B-B476-4164-9F5E-137805F7E04E.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978128" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1864068' first='Paul' last='McNeil']</strong> was playing with his local team this weekend the Richmond Jammers here at the Phenom MDC. McNeil a North Carolina State commit usually runs with [program_tooltip program_id='176947' first='Garner' last='Road'] on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Upward Stars Southeast 3SSB: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978147,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/70CA69BF-3FBD-4BDE-98C5-1AC1B3DBC9EC.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/70CA69BF-3FBD-4BDE-98C5-1AC1B3DBC9EC.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978147" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This roster for Upward Stars Southeast 3SSB 2024 has plenty a few former members of the Palmetto State running with them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865287' first='Jamari' last='Briggs'] </strong>who now attends Christ School played at Hartsville HS in South Carolina before reclassifying and heading to Arden. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='975134' first='Jermaurhiyun' last='Anderson'] </strong>originally from Greenville, SC just completed his second season at Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1338305' first='Michael' last='Marcus Jr']</strong><em> </em>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076360' first='Bryson' last='Cokley']</strong> also play on this roster for Upward Stars Southeast 3SSB. Marcus attends Carmel Christian while Cokley a Wake Forest recruit attends Christ School. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Guards Packing a Punch:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='951365' first='Keenan' last='Wilkins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2287920' first='Caden' last='Caskey']</strong> and<strong> BJ Erwin</strong> all played well from the backcourt this weekend at the Phenom Memorial Day Classic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins who attends Christ School in Arden was great today with his play for Upward Stars Fagan. Keenan really plays the game at a nice even keel at all times. He was shifty all day long with the ball in his hands when he wasn't popping perimeter jumpers along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978148,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/1C9BD594-474C-44EA-B46E-0CC917634A58.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/1C9BD594-474C-44EA-B46E-0CC917634A58.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978148" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caskey has had a good spring for ABC SD on the Grassroots Circuit. This is the second time Prep Hoops has seen him play and we walked away quite impressed. He really likes to score the ball and does a nice job of playing through contact on the way to the cup. Caden will make and take tough shots in the process of the game. He really plays the game with some savvy and craftiness at times. Caden attends Ardrey Kell HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978136,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/4C85F021-F6E5-491F-AC23-9582C7EAC2D7.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/4C85F021-F6E5-491F-AC23-9582C7EAC2D7.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978136" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erwin a left-handed guard was able to get downhill to the basket all day long. BJ finished with 15 points in a victory for Hoops Dreams Training over Next Level Elite 2024 today on his way to dropping 4 three-pointers. Erwin attends Hickory Grove Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Johnson Being Productive: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978125,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/95CD7DB7-B697-433F-BD9B-13006C11CBEE.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/95CD7DB7-B697-433F-BD9B-13006C11CBEE.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978125" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1454557' first='Julian' last='Johnson'] </strong>attends Lake Norman Charter in Huntersville. Johnson is long and rangy forward who really brings some good bounce to the floor. Julian at times just glides around the floor with his good footwork and athleticism. Johnson has the ability to play inside-out if it comes down to knocking down a perimeter jumper or simply finishing a putback around the cup. He runs with an Upward Stars Carolina a bit off the grid in my opinion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson will be a name to follow in the years to come being a member of the 2025 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>No Shortage of Talent Here: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='157367' first='Team' last='CP3'] 16U 2025 was in attendance here this weekend at the Phenom Memorial Day Classic. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226605' first='Isaiah' last='Henry']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336429' first='John' last='Lash']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131338' first='Kaden' last='Hammond']</strong> were just a few that showcased their game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978149,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/7B07F1EA-738E-4CA1-AD8A-6C2D253ADCE6.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/7B07F1EA-738E-4CA1-AD8A-6C2D253ADCE6.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978149" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry brings good versatility to the floor with his ability to defend multiple positions. The strong framed Henry battle through defenders on the way to the basket today to finish with both hands. Isaiah does a nice job of not forcing a shot, pass and really seems to be under control at all times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978126,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/C435DD8F-F2B6-44A9-9786-AB131C26988C.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/C435DD8F-F2B6-44A9-9786-AB131C26988C.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978126" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lash is a physical specimen from the combo forward position. John who really excels on the baseball diamond to for Charlotte Christian was a touch matchup at times today. He really plays the game with a tough mindset and an unreal motor that never turns off. Lash averaged 24.5 ppg and 14 rebounds this past season at Charlotte Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978124,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/251D3A30-7BBD-4E49-BEC1-F6B1B5B22C7F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/251D3A30-7BBD-4E49-BEC1-F6B1B5B22C7F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978124" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond attends The Burlington School. Kaden is a very skilled big man who did a nice job of finishing over both shoulders today. He really passes the ball well from the high post. Hammond has great mitts to catch anything thrown into his direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->