Prep notebook: Major travel basketball event coming to Charlotte area
The NCAA Tournament ended this week, but basketball junkies can get a look at a bevy of potential college stars this weekend in the Charlotte-area.
Phenom Hoops is hosting two events at multiple locations in Rock Hill, S.C., and Indian Trail, NC. There’s a girls’ event called “The Lady Rumble” and then a boys’ tournament called “The Grassroots Tournament of Champions.”
Division I coaches can’t attend, but tournament organizers are expecting dozens of lower level schools’ coaches, and there will be plenty of talent to watch. At least 25 Power 4 recruits on the boys’ side and a handful in the girls’ event are scheduled to play.
Among the boys players are reigning Gatorade national athlete of the year Kendre Harrison of Reidsville, an Oregon football recruit, as well as his teammate, Dionte Neal, who was just named N.C. Gatorade basketball player of the year. That pair plays on Chris Paul’s Nike-sponsored CP3 team.
Another player to watch is Auburn commit Kaden Magwood of Lincolnton’s Combine Academy. He’ll play for Drifty Elite, which includes N.C. Mr. Basketball Zymicah Wilkins (N.C. State) and UNC commit Isaiah Denis. Social media influencer Jordan Lewis, who has more than 230,000 Instagram followers, will coach the team which will also have Jake Wilkins, the son of former NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins, who has committed to Georgia, on the roster.
Three highly-ranked players in the class of 2027 are also in the field: CJ Rosser and King Gibson (Team United) and Josh Leonard (Upward Stars). Rosser, a 6-9 sophomore wing from Rocky Mount High School, is ranked No. 2 nationally by 247 Sports. Leonard, who attends Wilson (SC) High, is ranked No. 9 nationally. He’s a 6-6 wing. And Gibson, a 6-4 guard from Montverde (Fla) Academy, is ranked 15th.
Also in the field are Chris Paul’s son, Chris Paul IV (CP3), a sophomore from California; Clemson commit Trent Steinour from Lake Norman High (Cap City Charlotte); and ACC recruit Cole Cloer (CP3), a 6-8 forward from Caldwell Academy. He’s a major target for Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina.
WANT TO GO:
Most high-profile games will be held at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center, 326 Technology Center, Rock Hill. Games will also be played at Rock Hill High (SC), South Pointe High (SC), Indian Land High (SC) and at Carolina Courts in Indian Trail.
There are 310 teams registered. Parking is free. Tickets are $40 for a three-day pass or $25 for single-day. Full schedule, info at phenomhoopreport.com
Lake Norman basketball coach resigns
After six seasons as head coach at Lake Norman High, Wildcats boys’ basketball coach Grant Hodges has resigned.
Hodges replaced Brandon Jolly before the 2019-20 season. He had a record of 103-51. Hodges’ 2023-24 team finished 28-3 and reached the N.C. 4A state semifinals.
His 2024-25 team lost just one game on the floor and didn’t lose to any N.C. teams, but the Wildcats’ season ended prematurely in the playoffs after the school self-reported an ineligible player.
Lake Norman finished the year 21-8 after forfeiting seven games.
CMS baseball teams head to ‘The Knothole’
Five CMS baseball and four softball teams will play in a three-day event, April 14-16, at the Richard “Stick” Williams” Dream Fields and Education Center in west Charlotte next week.
The “Westside Story” event also includes one non-CMS school, Jackson Day Charter, and is sponsored by the Knothole Foundation, co-founded by former Major League Baseball players Morris Madden and Jeff Schaefer. Knothole seeks to help underserved kids play baseball and softball in addition to educational programming at schools in west Charlotte.
On Monday, there will be camps, clinics and games played among the teams beginning at 9 a.m.
On Tuesday — which is Jackie Robinson Day throughout MLB — the Knothole Foundation will host former Negro League player Wali Cathcart, and the championship softball game will start at 5:30. The baseball final starts at 6.
There will also be a special dedication to Robinson with an outfield wall banner that will be permanently displayed.
Finally on Wednesday, April 16, there will be a free youth baseball clinic for kids 5-12 beginning at 10 a.m.
Myers Park replaces legendary girls’ basketball coach
Longtime Myers Park girls’ basketball coach Barbara Nelson announced her retirement this week.
She says the Mustangs will be in good hands.
Myers Park’s new head coach is former assistant Jaylaan Dillard, who has been with the team for five years. Dillard was a two-time state champion in high school at Raleigh’s Millbrook High School, where she also ran track. Dillard played in college at Johnson C. Smith.
Dillard will follow Nelson, who led the Mustangs to two state championships, 10 conference titles and 266 wins in her 13 seasons.
“She’s going to do a good job,” Nelson said. “She’s a PE teacher here at the school. The kids like her and she comes out of some highly competitive programs and loves where she is. It’s very comforting to know that the Myers Park job is settled. It feels good to know that the person they’re giving it to loves it and really wants it and will do her best job at it.”
Combine Academy launches new academic program
Lincolnton’s Combine Academy launched The School of Business & Entrepreneurship this week, calling it “a groundbreaking academic program designed to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators.”
Combine, a day and boarding school for high school-age students, has sent more than 500 athletes to college and has produced more than 25 professionals, including NBA players Robert Dillingham (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jalen Hood-Schifino (Philadelphia 76ers) and MLB pitcher Isaiah Lowe (San Diego Padres).
Combine officials say the new curriculum will focus on real-world learning and life skills. Classes will teach students how to start businesses, invest and teach leadership skills. Successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders will be invited to speak to students about things like how to build companies and manage capital.
“This is the next evolution of what Combine stands for,” said Jonah Baize, President & CEO of Combine. “We’ve developed world-class athletes — but we know the ball stops bouncing. What happens next matters even more. Our students won’t just sign contracts — they’ll write them. They won’t just endorse brands — they’ll build them.”
Enrollment for the School of Business & Entrepreneurship opened this week for the fall semester. To learn more, visit www.CombineAcademy.com or follow Combine Academy on social media @CombineAcademy.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
