There is never a dull moment at the Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp and this year's edition didn't disappoint. There was a nice combination of returning standouts and new faces on the national scene, with a pair of talented sophomores copping camp Most Outstanding Player honors: Jacob Lanier of Maumelle (Ark.) and Seven Spurlock of Memorial (Frisco, Texas).
Related: Pangos All-South Notebook I
It was a near impossible task for this year's Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp participants to top last year's exciting finish to the Cream of the Crop Top 30 All-Star Game reserved for the camps best players. After all, that game came down to a high 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 club mob him after he clinched the thrilling 75-74 win for his team. In 2023, there would be no heroics as the Black club rolled to a 66-53 victory over their White jersey wearing counterparts.
Even though the final game wasn't as exciting as some from year's past, the camp games made all the difference as there was a nice combination of first-year campers to challenge the group of returnees, some of whom were considered among the camp's best players. That included 2022 Most Outstanding Player Phoenix Woodson, 6-foot-6 forward from Crossing Christian (Oklahoma City, Okla.) who returned as a sophomore (2026) after earning MOPs honors as a freshman. He didn't repeat those honors, but that was more a reflection of the outstanding quality of forwards (including wing, traditional, stretch and power) in attendance, more than any individual shortcomings compared to one year ago.
When the dust settled, two wing forwards off the victorious Black club were named co-Most Outstanding Player of this year's camp, one a returnee from last year and the other a newcomer who made a big splash. The returning player who stepped up his game was 6-foot-6 2026 (sophomore) Jacob Lanier of Maumelle (Ark.). Although he only made one field goal in the Cream of the Crop Top 30 All-Star game, he made some nifty passes and helped his team on the defensive side of the ball in their 66-53 victory. Besides, Lanier had already made quite the impression in his camp games with his shot-making, ability to run the floor and finish with pop, and improved offensive package. He's also light on his feet and with good instincts on both ends of the floor.
"I think I could have done alot better in the all-star game," Lanier said. "I shot it better during the camp games. I wanted to come in and show I was one of the best players here."
Joining Lainer as MOP was 6-foot-5 2026 Seven Spurlock of Memorial (Frisco, Texas), who had seven points and a game-high seven rebounds for the Black club in the Top 30 game. Of the group of wings and forwards, Spurlock was the most physically dominant with his attacking style. It wasn't a surprise to see him work the glass in the all-star game, as Spurlock plays with an edge that makes everyone (fans, teammates, referees, scouts, etc.) take notice of his presence. There wasn't a dull moment with the powerful lefty on the hardwood and his production here matched his approach.
Unlike last year when a few stars shined through, this year's top all-star game reflected the camp: one of balance and depth at the strongest position, which was wings/forwards. Only one player for each club netted double figures with 10 points each. For the Black club, it was 6-foot-3 2026 Silas Rodriguez of Guyer (Denton, Texas), a deft scoring guard who knocked down two of his team's three 3-pointers. For the White club it was 6-foot-4 freshman (2027) guard King Gibson, who made his club's sole 3-pointer and had some explosive finishes en route to 10 points.
Gibson was arguably the top freshmen in attendance and it so happened the five chosen to play in the top all-star game all played for the White club, which trailed at half-time 25-23. The White club also had the top game's lone 2028 (eighth-grader) participant in 6-foot-8 power forward Terrell Jackson of Berry Middle School (Mesquite, Texas). He made quite the impression with his rim protecting and activity level as a young big.
Jackson was not satisfied with just making the top game and was thirsting for more. "I think I could have done alot better overall," Jackson said. "I know I need to get stronger and I wanted to show I could move up and down the court."
Gibson was impressive enough to be named game MVP for his club, with 6-foot-6 2026 wing Alex Barther II of Eastern Hills (Ft. Worth, Texas) taking home honors for the victorious Black team. It's early, but Gibson has the look of one of the nation's best freshmen, while Barther came on as he got more comfortable. He got better and more intense as the event rolled along with his best effort coming in the camp's final game. Barther runs the floor well, is a plus athlete and had his pull-up and deep ball on display as the camp wore on.
In addition to Woodson and the previously mentioned crop, some of the other standouts among the camp's deepest position included, but is not limited to, 6-foot-6 2026 Davion Adkins of Oak Cliff Faith Family (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 many camp games, including the two all-star games, points and outside shooting were at a premium. The paint action was heavy and many of the camp's smaller guards settled too much for heaves or over-dribbled to compensate for the lack of paint finishes. Among lead guards, the clear cut standout who exhibited the traits scouts and college coaches alike look for at the position was 6-foot-2 2026 James Sanderson of Frisco Emerson (McKinney, Texas). He handled the ball seamlessly, set up teammates consistently and displayed a high skill level in the key areas necessary to excel at the position.
"I try to get opportunities for teammates and be a true point guard," Sanderson said. "I just try to play the game the right way and I know that's what college coaches like."
Colleges across the South and the rest of the country are going to eventually covet many of the 220 campers from nine states in this group. When they look for 2027 point guards, the name for college coaches to begin with is 6-foot-2 Tyrone Jamison of Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.). Jamison is a shifty guard with a nice shooting stroke, can change direction and also score the ball for himself. He was one of the five 2027s who played on the White team in the top all-star game.
There is always an argument for a few of the players selected for the Cream of the Crop Top 60 game being good enough for the Top 30 game. At this camp, that was certainly the case for game co-MVPs in the Black's 69-50 victory. For the winning Black club, 6-foot-5 2026 Anthony Hester of Mills University (Little Rock, Ark.) was play-making at a high clip and finished with a game-high 12 points. For the White club, 6-foot-1 2026 Keonte Greybear of Emerson (McKinney, Texas) shined throughout the camp with his finishing ability and defensive presence. He was even better in the second all-star game, finishing with 10 points and two assists.
While there wasn't much depth at the lead guard position, we'd be remiss not to mention one of the best in attendance even though he wasn't selected for either of the all-star games. That would be six-foot 2026 Trey Dorsey of Liberty (Baton Rouge, La.). He had it on a string and is well-versed on how to play the position.
Two other players worth mentioning not selected are Robert Moore, a 6-foot 2026 point guard from Timber Creek (Keller, Texas), and Jaiden Hall, a 5-foot-11 2027 point guard from Captain Shreve (Shreveport, La.). Both were hitting shots from the outside at a solid rate and were under control while doing so.
Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores