Upward Stars Columbia 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>Fresh off a strong class of 2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] is back with more elite guards and intriguing wings. I got my first look at them on Tuesday night, checking out their 17U, 16U, and 15U programs. They got off to a solid start in Bermuda Run this season, but no doubt their eyes will be on the ultimate Phenom Hoops League prize in late July. Take a look at some of my evaluations from their practice, and didn't miss the chance to see them live over the spring and summer!</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:&nbsp;[program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Program Director: Christian Savage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Circuit: Phenom Hoops League</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2887395' first='Ford' last='Stratton']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2806859' first='Elijah' last='Major']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2824781' first='Kaleb' last='Peters']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2559342' first='Jahlil' last='Jenkins']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3578436' first='Ryon' last='Tennant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Additions to Know:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2478755' first='Samajae' last='Govan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2377456' first='Kensley' last='Parks']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2377456' first='Kensley' last='Parks']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1916765' first='KJ' last='Dupree']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2892803' first='Noah' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3578483' first='Prince' last='Earle']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2478755' first='Samajae' last='Govan'] - Year after year, the [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] has had success sending guards to the next level. The next one up from the family appears to be [player_tooltip player_id='2478755' first='Samajae' last='Govan']. He is one of, if not the best player on the floor in every camp or all-star game setting, so once he adds the feel for being a point guard to his excellent off-the-dribble scoring ability, he will be an elite player and a can't-miss prospect for college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2449207' first='Avery' last='Georgiana-Richardson'] - Avery has always been a high-flying athlete and strong defender, but last night he showed glimpses of an improved perimeter stroke. He looked most comfortable pulling the trigger on the left side of the floor, but Georgiana-Richardson had multiple good looks from all over the floor. As a returning 17U player, Avery also took pride in setting the tone on the defensive end of the floor, testing the younger guys and leading by example.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2559433' first='Evin' last='Scott'] - I've been a fan of Evin's game for a while, but now it finally feels like the time when he might really break out to those around the state. He was a major two-way threat for the 16s, using his length to block several jump shots and affect passing lanes, while also getting to the rim and working the offensive glass. Because of some of the Stars' solid guards, Scott will be able to focus on scoring and defending, which should allow him to be a frequent standout this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3578441' first='Chase' last='Bedenbaugh'] - One of the most intriguing players in the [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] program is Bedenbaugh. Listed at 6'5" 190 lbs, he has the size to be effective inside, however, he is also quite mobile and skilled on the outside. Chase dominated the 4 on 4 section of Tuesday's practice, working quickly to get to his spots in the mid-range, get to the rim and finish through contact, or move the ball and find a teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3578438' first='Logan' last='Dormer'] - [player_tooltip player_id='3578438' first='Logan' last='Dormer'] was by far the most active player in the gym on Tuesday night. Whether that was tracking loose balls, cleaning up misses, moving without the ball, tossing incisive passes, or making his presence felt defensively, it was hard not to find yourself impressed with what he was doing. Dormer was far from the biggest or most athletic player in the gym, but he simply played the game at a high level and will certainly impact winning this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3578439' first='Ty' last='Smith'] - Rounding out the list is one of [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']'s impressive young Point Guards. Ty was often the one running the show for the 15U group this week, and he rarely looked sped up by the size and athleticism of the older squads. Smith is also quite skilled as a scorer, displaying both a solid catch-and-shoot stroke on the perimeter and a nice floater when driving into the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 10th-12th - Phenom Grassroots Tournament of Champions (Rock Hill, SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 17th-19th - Phenom Queen City Showcase (Rock Hill, SC) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 25th-26th - On The Radar The Run For The Cup (Marietta, GA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 15th-17th - Phenom Rock Hill Live (Rock Hill, SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 23rd-24th - Phenom Memorial Day Classic (Rock Hill, SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 10th-12th - Phenom Hoops Live (Raleigh, NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 17th-19th - Phenom Summer Havoc Live (Bermuda Run, NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 25th-26th - Phenom Hoops League Finals (Bermuda Run, NC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->