The 2021 HoopSeen Atlanta Jam tipped off on Friday night with some awesome competition from beginning to end. Three storylines caught my eye for Day One. Check them out in my Friday Notebook.

Five Players Score Double Figures for Manimal Elite

Manimal may be a top-five team of the entire event, this year. They proved their muscle with a 93-57 win over Tampa SCE Elite—and they did it by “COMMUNITY”. Five Manimals put up 10+ points in the game, letting their opponent know that this squad is deeper than just one or two guys.

Kennedy Hayden, 18 points. James Jewell, 15 points. Kaden Stanton, 13 points. Christian Spalding and Brandon Moore notched 12 & 11, respectively.

And that’s EXACTLY what you’re going to have to do when you play this team - respect them.

Jaborri McGhee Wills CP25 ALMS To A Win

McGhee laid down on the hardwood, belly-first, for about 15 seconds before tip-off. Maybe he was trying to get a better feel for the floor, because he absolutely LIT UP that floor with his energy vs. 17U Carolina Pressure.

With his team down 13 at the half, and only having five points himself, McGhee flipped the switch in the final 16 minutes and went off for 19 points. He finished with 24.

Whether hitting the midrange J, fighting for offensive boards & putbacks, or sinking and-ones, McGhee let us know that he’s an absolute DOG on the court, and to never count him or his team out.

Carolina Pressure Forwards Defending Without Fouling

It seems so simple of a request, doesn’t it? “Keep your arms straight up!” But over the last few years, especially at the prep level, I’ve personally seen a decline in hooper’s ability to guard the paint without fouling.

Xavier Thornton & Nakeem Isaac are reversing the trend

Even in a loss, they did an awesome job of making paint-scoring extremely difficult for CP25 ALMS. Hands high, great footwork, minimal bumps using their body. These are the skills that need to be worked on daily, and those two proved that they’re doing just that. If you’re a fan of defense, it’s refreshing to see.