Summit Christian Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a great pre-season preview provided by coach Matt Patton. Coach Patton provided the information and I was able to edit and publish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a long history, Mercer Christian dissolved after the 2023-2024 school year. Summit Christian Academy has taken its place in the same location as well with many of its staff and students. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCA's 24-25 basketball team returns four starters and last year's sixth man from the previous year's roster. This team has strong guard play to go along with skilled and diverse bigs. They've had a great run through summer going 8-1 during summer league play while beating some very strong public school programs based in WV and VA as well as an impressive showing at Liberty University's team camp. Some team members also played AAU for the WV Aftershocks as well as SWV Hustle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SCA coaches are excited about the schedule for 24/25 that includes the normal WVCAT opponents which is expected to have some very strong teams this year plus have added several other games against non-conference opponents ranging from WVSSAC A all the way up to AAAA plus a couple of invitational tournaments in state and out of state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players to watch this year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2304715' first='MJ' last='Patton'], SR, 6'0”, PG, averaged 22 ppg, 6 RPG, 5 APG, 3 SPG, took 9 charges</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a true PG with excellent ball handling skills and court vision. Can score from 3, has a really good off the dribble mid range, and can get to the rim and finish in traffic. He's a Big Shots All Star, Big Shots rated #11 PG in the state of WV. Prep Hoops rated # 56 player in the state for 2025. WVCAT All State 2023/24 in Soccer and Basketball. Multi-Sport Athlete that also plays baseball, soccer, and runs track. He currently leads the state of WV for goals scored in soccer for the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639438' first='Gage' last='Thompson'], SR, 6'0”, PF, averaged 2 PPG, 2 RPG, took 17 charges.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's the kind of player that coaches love. Doesn't care about stats and does all the dirty work. Dives on the floor, never misses a box out, sets screens, plays hard defense, and takes charges. He was a big part of our summer sessions and is a spark on the floor to the rest of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2509759' first='Chance' last='Watkins'], SR, 6'4”, SF/PF, averaged 9 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 APG, 1 BPG, took 19 charges.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can play with his back to the basket but can also shoot the 3 ball really well. He's a shot disruptor and rim protector that's not afraid to take a charge. He plays guard sometimes too because he's an effective ball handler with good court vision. He's a Big Shots All Star, Big Shots rated #13 Forward in the state of WV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639442' first='Kyler' last='Carpenter'], SO, 6'5”, Wing/C, averaged 7 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 APG, 2 BPG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a lot of length and speed which gives him diversity on the defensive end. He can guard 1 to 5 on the court and not be shifted by the 1 or pushed around by the 5. He's a strong rim protector. He can score with his back to the basket, handle the ball, and shoot the 3. He's really good off the pick and roll. His aggressiveness on offense improved a lot during the summer in both summer league play and also on his travel team SWV Hustle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2326132' first='Eli' last='Patton'], SO, 6'0”, SG/PG, averaged 12 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG, took 7 charges.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PG skills and court vision with a shooters mentality. Very good court vision. Quick release on his shot and gets to the rim with power. He grew into his body over the summer and has spent time improving his speed and strength. Wants to guard the best player, wants the ball in his hands for the last shot. He's a Big Shots All Star, Prep Hoops #33 in the state for 2027. Multi Sport athlete that also plays shortstop in baseball and goalie in soccer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639445' first='Adam' last='Jones'], FR, 6'1”, SF/PF, (MS Stats 23/24) averaged 18 PPG, 10 RPG, 4 APG, took 14 charges.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plays well above his grade and makes everyone on the court better. He's willing to play wherever you ask him to and he plays physical. You never have to question his effort and he can guard bigs or guards. He goes strong to the rim, can handle the ball well, and has a good outside shot. Big Shots All Star. Multi-Sport athlete playing soccer, baseball, runs track, and plays football for Pikeview High School with the rule that allows kids to play sports at their district school if the school they attend doesn't field a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>COACHES, IF YOU WISH TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN TEAM PREVIEW EMAIL : STRODE44@YAHOO.COM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->