Phenom Challenge: Upward Stars Regionals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Phenom Challenge took place at the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Prep Hoops SC was in attendance for Day One, evaluating some of the best the state has to offer. Also in the gym Saturday were [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'], [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'], and [program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee']. I checked in with these programs across the three age groups and this is who stood out: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2292900"],"_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":2850309,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fff8be9e23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on this list of standouts from the Phenom Challenge is [player_tooltip player_id='2292900' first='Xander' last='Pertile']. I've seen Xander a couple of times with Heathwood Hall, but this performance with [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] is the best I have seen from him. Pertile looked fundamentally sound in the post and used his big frame well. Most of his offensive production came with his back to the basket, but Xanxer was also extremely active on the offensive glass, battled through contact, and protected the rim on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2825162"],"_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":2850310,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fff8be9e87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miles has got off to a strong start this Spring playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'] 16U. In a matchup with 3D Elite, Campbell was well-defended in the first half but adjusted in the second half to finish with 19 points. Even when the shots aren't falling, Miles is determined enough to get to the free-throw line to help get his team the points they need. However, when the shots are falling, he has a well-rounded offensive game. Campbell displayed floaters, perimeter shooting, and post finishes, all with intriguing length on the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1738179"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fff8be9ed1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Next up on this list is Greer's [player_tooltip player_id='1738179' first='Jyssiah' last='Foster'], who plays with [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'] 17U. He had a very productive weekend at the Phenom Challenge including an impressive win over BBB Elite. Despite being well off on a pair of threes, Foster was aggressive in attacking the paint with quickness and spin moves. He can finish there with a floater or dump the ball off to a teammate. On the defensive end of the floor, Jyssiah moves his feet, has active hands, and will even draw charges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2746116"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fff8be9f17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller had a nice showing for [program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee'] against Prime on Saturday Morning. He is a confident shooter and is active on the defensive end, but also has a good feel for the game and can make incisive passes. These attributes allow him to play on or off the ball at the AAU level and the High School level. When he has the ball in his hands, Nigel fits through tight windows and changes pace well. He finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2354724"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fff8be9f5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Also standing out for [program_tooltip program_id='2412982' first='Upward' last='Stars Pee Dee'] at the Phenom Challenge was [player_tooltip player_id='2354724' first='Jy'ell' last='Preston']. He was running with them this weekend after starting the season with a different program, but felt at home immediately with his former team. Jy'ell went for a double-double, tallying 24 points and 12 rebounds in Game Two. Preston is very athletic and has a strong frame. He will crash the glass and push the pace in transition or can score in the half-court around bodies and knock down the occasional spot-up three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->