United Skills Academy Shows Poise and Potential in 67–42 MADE Hoops Victory

December 6th, 2025

Mesa, Ariz. — In a debut performance that reflected both preparation and promise, the United Skills Academy Class of 2030 opened their Winter Circuit campaign with a commanding 67–42 win over NM2 in the National MADE Hoops Circuit. The result, though impressive, was secondary to the way the players carried themselves under first-year head coach Maurice “Moe” Carter and assistant coach Joe Eiland.

From the opening whistle, it was the athletes—not the moment—that dictated the pace. United struck first when guard Adam Myhre pulled up confidently and knocked down a three-pointer, a shot that instantly settled the team into its rhythm. Moments later, forward Logan Pepper, who would finish with a team-high 18 points, scored inside to establish an early presence in the paint. What followed was a display of calm, structured basketball that rarely surfaces in early-season middle school play.

The steady hand of Myhre, who totaled 17 points on a blend of perimeter shooting and dribble penetration, helped United widen the gap as the first half progressed. Pepper continued to assert himself around the basket, converting tough finishes and controlling space with a maturity beyond his age. Alongside them, guard Myles Carter delivered 14 points, often scoring in crucial moments that halted NM2’s attempts at momentum. His composure on the perimeter provided a stabilizing influence whenever the game’s tempo shifted.

Xavier Gilkey added six points of his own, finding spots on the floor to stretch the defense and give his teammates room to operate. Odell Young contributed another six, attacking gaps and earning trips to the line, while Carter Campagna and Antonio Darden chipped in with a pair of points each and provided the kind of defensive positioning and hustle plays that coaches value as much as scoring. Through the first half, United accumulated only four team fouls—a statistic that underscored their discipline and communication on both ends of the floor.

The second half brought more of the same. Pepper continued scoring through contact, Myhre remained aggressive off the dribble, and Carter knocked down timely jumpers that silenced NM2 runs before they could develop. Gilkey, Campagna, and Darden supported the effort with smart decisions and steady defensive play. As the minutes passed, United’s lead widened, not by any single burst of scoring, but by the steady accumulation of correct decisions.

United closed the afternoon with nine made three-pointers, 21 two-point field goals, and 16 converted free throws. The statistical balance mirrored the emotional balance the players showed on the floor—no moments of panic, no signs of inexperience, just a group of young athletes executing with clarity and trust.

This win also marked an important beginning for the program’s coaching staff. Carter, whose journey spans LSU, the NBA, and international competition, brought a calm yet demanding presence to the sideline. Assistant coach Joe Eiland complemented that presence with detailed instruction and a consistent voice that kept the players grounded. Together, they guided a roster that looked both encouraged and empowered.

Yet, despite the coaching narrative surrounding the debut, Saturday belonged to the kids. Their composure. Their defense. Their investments in one another. They dictated the tone, controlled the pace, and showed the early outlines of a team capable of growing into something special.

United Skills Academy’s 67–42 victory was not simply a strong start; it was a glimpse of a young program discovering its identity—one built on teamwork, discipline, and the shared belief that they can compete with anyone in the National MADE Hoops Circuit.

UNITED SKILLS ACADEMY 2030 — BOX SCORE

United Skills Academy 67, NW Magic 2030 Purple 42

United Skills Academy (67)Pepper 18, Myhre 17, M. Carter 14, Gilkey 14, Young III 6, Campagna 2, Darden 9.

Team Shooting:

3-Pointers — 92-Pointers — 21Free Throws — 16