Carolina Pressure Open Practice Evaluations + Season Preview

<!-- 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 Grassroots Season is almost back in full swing, but before it is, I got a sneak peak at one of the best programs in the state: [program_tooltip program_id='2078724' first='Carolina' last='Pressure'] Basketball. CPB are back with Puma this season on the NXTPRO Circuit, and they will head to Nashville this weekend to begin their run. They return several key prospects and add a few more intriguing pieces as they look to bolster their squad and continue an impressive run of putting kids in college. Make sure to check them out over the next few months!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team: [program_tooltip program_id='2078724' first='Carolina' last='Pressure'] Basketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Program Director: Rob Rose</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Circuit: Puma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2414074' first='Justin' last='Vining']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2786507' first='Gavin' last='Baskett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2384915' first='Ariel' last='Huell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2469364' first='Hunter' last='Collins']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2816326' first='Preston' last='Heffner']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions to Know: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2380315' first='Peyton' last='Jennings']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1986979' first='Eli' last='Britt']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2630796' first='Jonah' last='McSwain']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2789289' first='Charles' last='Cooley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2820444' first='Jason' last='Staley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2950932' first='Dalton' last='Bennett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2414074' first='Justin' last='Vining'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078724' first='Carolina' last='Pressure']'s Point Guard, best player, and leader is [player_tooltip player_id='2414074' first='Justin' last='Vining']. He leads the way in everything from conditioning to controlling the game, but is unselfish enough to look for a teammate's shot before he gets his own. Vining is one of the few ball-dominant guards who return to the team from a season ago, meaning there will be some pressure on him to fully run the offense early on. However, he is built for it, and should see a boost in recruitment once coaches change their priority to the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3570477' first='Delontae' last='Taggett'] - I wasn't familiar with Delontae or his game before I got to practice on Wednesday, but I left as high on him as anyone else in the gym. Tagget was an All-Region performer for Westside (GA) this season, going for over 16 points and 2 steals a game. Despite being listed at just 5'9", Delontae is one of the most explosive athletes in the program. His quick-twitch muscles and bounce allow him to catch bigger defenders off guard, plus he can make a play or two for others when given the rock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2469364' first='Hunter' last='Collins'] - The best returning player to CPB's 2028 group is [player_tooltip player_id='2469364' first='Hunter' last='Collins']. Collins had a big first year at Heathwood Hall and looked as comfortable and confident as he could be with this squad. He will get plenty of looks while the rest of his teammates feel each other out. When he's open, he's one of the better shooters in the 2028 class, but he's also a strong driver who can play bigger than his size around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2789289' first='Charles' last='Cooley'] - Hunter's high-school teammate, Charles, also caught my eye at practice on Wednesday. Their offense will look to use Cooley away from the rim with dribble hand-offs and other playmaking actions, but his big, physical frame will also allow him to dominate in the post. Cooley looks like he has the foundation to be a really good passer, but it's just the feel of when to pass, handle, or finish that he needs to learn. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2820444' first='Jason' last='Staley'] - [player_tooltip player_id='2820444' first='Jason' last='Staley'] may have been the smallest player in the gym, but he was also clearly one of the most advanced from a skill standpoint. Staley is super shifty, which was showcased as he attacked closeouts and played in transition. The 15U coaches also worked with their guys on how to beat their man and read help defenses, which will help Jason as he goes up against big, athletic guards on the NXTPRO Circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2950932' first='Dalton' last='Bennett'] - The second CPB 15U player who impressed me is Bennett. He attends Fox Creek High School, one of several Predators in the program. Dalton is the 2029 who is most ready to compete from a physical standpoint. He showed a flash of what he can be with a strong, impressive finish off the dribble at the rim. If he can add a consistent jumper to his game, it will really space out the offense and put him high up on my early radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 27th-29th - Puma NXTPTO (Nashville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 3rd-5th - Puma NXTPRO (Birmingham, AL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 17th-19th - Phenom Hoops Queen City Showcase (Rock Hill, SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 24th-26th - Puma NXTPRO (Monroe, LA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 1st-3rd - Puma NXTPRO (Tampa, FL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 15th-17th - Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live (Rock Hill, SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 22nd-24th - Puma NXTPRO (Bermuda Run, NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 9th-12th - Puma NXTPRO (Richmond, VA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 16th-19th - Phenom Summer Havoc Live (Bermuda Run, NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 22nd-26th - Puma NXTPRO Finals (Orlando, FL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->