There may be by no means a boring second on the Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp and this yr’s version did not disappoint. There was a pleasant mixture of returning standouts and new faces on the nationwide scene, with a pair of gifted sophomores copping camp Most Excellent Participant honors: Jacob Lanier of Maumelle (Ark.) and Seven Spurlock of Memorial (Frisco, Texas).
Associated: Pangos All-South Pocket book I
It was a close to inconceivable job for this yr’s Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp individuals to prime final yr’s thrilling end to the Cream of the Crop High 30 All-Star Sport reserved for the camps finest gamers. In spite of everything, that sport got here all the way down to a excessive bouncing free throw make with 0.2 seconds left by now junior Jed’Ethan Nansha of Hillcrest (Dallas, Texas) that made his teammates on the Black jersey-wearing membership mob him after he clinched the thrilling 75-74 win for his workforce. In 2023, there could be no heroics because the Black membership rolled to a 66-53 victory over their White jersey sporting counterparts.
Although the ultimate sport wasn’t as thrilling as some from yr’s previous, the camp video games made all of the distinction as there was a pleasant mixture of first-year campers to problem the group of returnees, a few of whom have been thought-about among the many camp’s finest gamers. That included 2022 Most Excellent Participant Phoenix Woodson, 6-foot-6 ahead from Crossing Christian (Oklahoma Metropolis, Okla.) who returned as a sophomore (2026) after incomes MOPs honors as a freshman. He did not repeat these honors, however that was extra a mirrored image of the excellent high quality of forwards (together with wing, conventional, stretch and energy) in attendance, greater than any particular person shortcomings in comparison with one yr in the past.
When the mud settled, two wing forwards off the victorious Black membership have been named co-Most Excellent Participant of this yr’s camp, one a returnee from final yr and the opposite a newcomer who made a giant splash. The returning participant who stepped up his sport was 6-foot-6 2026 (sophomore) Jacob Lanier of Maumelle (Ark.). Though he solely made one discipline objective within the Cream of the Crop High 30 All-Star sport, he made some nifty passes and helped his workforce on the defensive facet of the ball of their 66-53 victory. Moreover, Lanier had already made fairly the impression in his camp video games along with his shot-making, skill to run the ground and end with pop, and improved offensive package deal. He is additionally mild on his ft and with good instincts on each ends of the ground.
“I believe I may have finished alot higher within the all-star sport,” Lanier stated. “I shot it higher throughout the camp video games. I wished to return in and present I used to be among the finest gamers right here.”
Becoming a member of Lainer as MOP was 6-foot-5 2026 Seven Spurlock of Memorial (Frisco, Texas), who had seven factors and a game-high seven rebounds for the Black membership within the High 30 sport. Of the group of wings and forwards, Spurlock was essentially the most bodily dominant along with his attacking model. It wasn’t a shock to see him work the glass within the all-star sport, as Spurlock performs with an edge that makes everybody (followers, teammates, referees, scouts, and many others.) take discover of his presence. There wasn’t a boring second with the highly effective lefty on the hardwood and his manufacturing right here matched his strategy.
In contrast to final yr when just a few stars shined by, this yr’s prime all-star sport mirrored the camp: one among stability and depth on the strongest place, which was wings/forwards. Just one participant for every membership netted double figures with 10 factors every. For the Black membership, it was 6-foot-3 2026 Silas Rodriguez of Guyer (Denton, Texas), a deft scoring guard who knocked down two of his workforce’s three 3-pointers. For the White membership it was 6-foot-4 freshman (2027) guard King Gibson, who made his membership’s sole 3-pointer and had some explosive finishes en path to 10 factors.
Gibson was arguably the highest freshmen in attendance and it so occurred the 5 chosen to play within the prime all-star sport all performed for the White membership, which trailed at half-time 25-23. The White membership additionally had the highest sport’s lone 2028 (eighth-grader) participant in 6-foot-8 energy ahead Terrell Jackson of Berry Center Faculty (Mesquite, Texas). He made fairly the impression along with his rim defending and exercise stage as a younger huge.
Jackson was not glad with simply making the highest sport and was thirsting for extra. “I believe I may have finished alot higher total,” Jackson stated. “I do know I have to get stronger and I wished to point out I may transfer up and down the court docket.”
Gibson was spectacular sufficient to be named sport MVP for his membership, with 6-foot-6 2026 wing Alex Barther II of Japanese Hills (Ft. Value, Texas) taking residence honors for the victorious Black workforce. It is early, however Gibson has the look of one of many nation’s finest freshmen, whereas Barther got here on as he received extra snug. He received higher and extra intense because the occasion rolled alongside along with his finest effort coming within the camp’s remaining sport. Barther runs the ground effectively, is a plus athlete and had his pull-up and deep ball on show because the camp wore on.
Along with Woodson and the beforehand talked about crop, among the different standouts among the many camp’s deepest place included, however will not be restricted to, 6-foot-6 2026 Davion Adkins of Oak Cliff Religion Household (Dallas, Texas), 6-foot-8 2026 Ethan Sheats of Denton (Texas), 6-foot-4 2026 Armon Almuttar of Parish Episcopal (Dallas, Texas) and Steve McLeod, a 6-foot-7 2027 from Grand Prairie (Texas).
In lots of camp video games, together with the 2 all-star video games, factors and out of doors taking pictures have been at a premium. The paint motion was heavy and lots of the camp’s smaller guards settled an excessive amount of for heaves or over-dribbled to compensate for the dearth of paint finishes. Amongst lead guards, the clear lower standout who exhibited the traits scouts and school coaches alike search for on the place was 6-foot-2 2026 James Sanderson of Frisco Emerson (McKinney, Texas). He dealt with the ball seamlessly, arrange teammates persistently and displayed a excessive talent stage in the important thing areas essential to excel on the place.
“I attempt to get alternatives for teammates and be a real level guard,” Sanderson stated. “I simply attempt to play the sport the suitable method and I do know that is what school coaches like.”
Faculties throughout the South and the remainder of the nation are going to finally covet lots of the 220 campers from 9 states on this group. After they search for 2027 level guards, the identify for faculty coaches to start with is 6-foot-2 Tyrone Jamison of Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.). Jamison is a shifty guard with a pleasant taking pictures stroke, can change course and in addition rating the ball for himself. He was one of many 5 2027s who performed on the White workforce within the prime all-star sport.
There may be at all times an argument for just a few of the gamers chosen for the Cream of the Crop High 60 sport being adequate for the High 30 sport. At this camp, that was actually the case for sport co-MVPs within the Black’s 69-50 victory. For the profitable Black membership, 6-foot-5 2026 Anthony Hester of Mills College (Little Rock, Ark.) was play-making at a excessive clip and completed with a game-high 12 factors. For the White membership, 6-foot-1 2026 Keonte Greybear of Emerson (McKinney, Texas) shined all through the camp along with his ending skill and defensive presence. He was even higher within the second all-star sport, ending with 10 factors and two assists.
Whereas there wasn’t a lot depth on the lead guard place, we would be remiss to not point out among the finest in attendance despite the fact that he wasn’t chosen for both of the all-star video games. That might be six-foot 2026 Trey Dorsey of Liberty (Baton Rouge, La.). He had it on a string and is well-versed on the best way to play the place.
Two different gamers price mentioning not chosen are Robert Moore, a 6-foot 2026 level guard from Timber Creek (Keller, Texas), and Jaiden Corridor, a 5-foot-11 2027 level guard from Captain Shreve (Shreveport, La.). Each have been hitting photographs from the surface at a strong price and have been below management whereas doing so.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He might be reached at [email protected]. Do not forget to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
