2022-2023 – Carolina Jam Fest – Part 2

And without further adieu, here is part two (hey, that rhymed!) of our list of juniors-to-be (and sophomores) that showed out at the recent Carolina Jam Fest being held at Sonny’s Complex. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124096" first="Tyra" last="Myers"] – Hammond HS – Hoopaville</strong> Given Hammond High School is in the same area as Carolina Jam Fest, she is another that had a familiarity with the area. Myers does a bit of everything – finds ways to score, draws attention which can put her at times at the free throw line, distributes the basketball, rebounds and is effective on the defensive side. One of the major reasons why Hoopaville advanced to the championship game of this weekend’s 17u tournament. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="194856" first="Jyara" last="Wright"] – Southside HS (Greenville) – Team F.O.K.U.S.</strong> Back on the South Carolina end of the ledger, here is another Wright that does a lot of right things for her team. She too is listed at 6’0 but plays the role more of a traditional center than a combo forward-guard. Even with that, her paint presence alone makes her a force to be reckoned with as she can rebound, block shots and convert on high-percentage shots as well. Wright also can shoot the occasional mid-range jumper ala someone playing the four. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197343" first="Monique" last="Cepeda"] – Comenius High School (Fort Mill) – Lady Attack Elite</strong> If she plays both basketball and soccer, as she does for the Knights, one can expect speed and agility to be two strong points of her game. Another focal point of her game she brings to the court is the ability to score from anywhere on said court, whether it is in the paint, a midrange jumper or from downtown. Cepeda’s profile will certainly be on the rise and her skillset is only sure to sharpen the next couple of years. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-197367" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/8139DF7F-CE50-449E-8B6F-C970CFF17F92.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="176204" first="Makaylah" last="Blandin"] (2023) – Southside HS (Greenville)  – Team F.O.K.U.S.</strong> Blandin is one of the 2023’er in question – and her play with the Tigers earned her overall Female Athlete of the Year honors. Blandin is another whose skillset translates to two sports – basketball and volleyball. She brings court awareness, an ability to make tough shots, play well away from the ball and shot blocking to any team. She is just getting started. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197344" first="Lauren" last="Wearbon"] (2023) – Mauldin HS – Team F.O.K.U.S. (pictured on the front)</strong> Blandin’s Team FOKUS teammate is the other from the 2023 rendition. Be aware of where she is on the court at all times because her defense can create steals which can turn to points down the other end. Passing, court vision and a high degree of confidence in her 3-point shot are also key elements of her game. We will hear a lot about her continued improvement in the coming years.