NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Day 1 of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Finals at the Peach Jam got off to a great start, as the elite Nike travel teams that qualified for the finals began action. It seems as if every college in the nation is represented, and the atmosphere in the gyms have been intense as teams compete for the right to play for a championship that culminates Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

Michael Carter-Williams proved why he's the No. 25 overall player in the 2011 class on Day 1. Mike Scott

Here are some highlights from the first day of action.

Standout players

Michael Carter-Williams

(Hamilton, Mass./St. Andrew's)

2011, PG, 6-foot-5, 175 pounds

Team: BABC



The Syracuse commit showed why he is considered one of the top guards in the country on Day 1. Williams, who scored 62 points on the day, led all scorers with a 44-point outburst in the first game. He uses his length and ball skills to slice and dice through the defense. Even more impressive was his numbers from the free throw line -- 30 of 35 on the day. He constantly attacks the basket, and when the game is on the line, you want this guy to have the ball in his hands. His turnovers were a bit high, but overall he had a great day.

Tyrone Johnson (Plainfield, N.J./Plainfield)

2011, PG, 6-2, 180 pounds | Team: Team Final



The recent Villanova commit was extremely impressive on Day 1. He led his team to a double-overtime victory over one of the tournament favorites, New Jersey Playaz, 85-82. Johnson slashed and shot his way to 40 points on highly-efficient 17-of-26 shooting from the field. He has tremendous size for a point guard and has really stepped up and improved over the past 30 days. With Michael Gilchrist (Somerdale, N.J./St. Patrick) still absent due to USA basketball, Johnson took over the game for Team Final, scoring or assisting on practically every basket down the stretch. He is a solid shooter with legitimate range to 20 feet and is excellent at getting into the paint. He should be a great player for the Wildcats from the moment he arrives on campus.

Surprise Player

Malcolm Brogdon (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian)

2011, SG, 6-4, 190 pounds | Team: Georgia Stars



Brogdon, who has consistently shown he is a knockdown shooter over the past year, has steadily improved and developed his game. He followed up a 14-point, eight-rebound game in the morning session with 23 points and eight rebounds in Game 2. Brogdon has a strong frame and good athleticism and has added the ability to attack the basket off the dribble with toughness. Overall, he is starting to play with the confidence of an elite player. He is also an excellent student; thanks to his continued improvement, he is hearing from Clemson, Georgia, Harvard, Minnesota and VCU.

Player to watch

Class of 2013 center Nerlens Noel is already drawing comparisons to a young Patrick Ewing. Mike Scott

Nerlens Noel (Everett, Mass./Everett)

2013, C, 6-10, 205 pounds | Team: BABC



Noel, who is reclassifying to the 2013 class, has a chance to be special. He is a shot-blocking specialist with outstanding length and timing that the state of Massachusetts hasn't seen since a young Patrick Ewing. In his two games Monday, he blocked 16 shots and altered countless others. His defensive presence in the paint was a major factor in holding opponents to below a 40 percent field goal shooting in his team's two victories. He is raw offensively but is developing a back-to-the-basket game. Noel is an excellent rebounder that gets to balls outside his area and is relentless on the offensive glass. An elite player in the 2013 class, Noel will have the big programs fighting over him for the next three years.

Notes

• Though the first day of the Nike EYBL Finals at the Peach Jam was very exciting and competitive, there were still some key ingredients missing. Other than Gilchrist, there were also several other members of the USA U-17 team in transit to the event. Boo Williams PF James McAdoo (Norfolk, Va./Christian), Boo Williams SF Justin Anderson (Richmond, Va./Montrose Christian), Spiece Indy Heat PG Marquis Teague (Indianapolis/ Pike), Georgia Stars PF Tony Parker (Lithonia, Ga./Miller Grove) and St. Louis Eagles SG Bradley Beal (St. Louis/Chaminade) did not play with their teams on Day 1 but are all expected to participate in Tuesday's action.

• The play of the day was by Anthony Davis (Chicago/Perspectives) in Meanstreets' victory over California Supreme. While driving to the basket, the 6-9 power forward split two defenders off the dribble and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate leading to a layup.

Davis lists his top schools as Ohio State, Syracuse and Kentucky, among others.

• Alabama Challenge SG Levi Randolph (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones) showed his cold-blooded mentality when he hit an exciting buzzer-beater against Howard Pulley in the night session game. The future Crimson Tide guard hit a 15-foot, pull-up jumper from the right wing to give his team the win 65-63.

Michael LaPlante is a recruiting coordinator and has more than 20 years of coaching and recruiting experience. John Stovall contributed to this piece.